Leicester Martial Arts Club

This is probably the very first photo taken in the dojo from the Leicester Mercury, Saturday January 4th 1947. Harry Ewen (who had moved to Leicester from London at this time) is sitting far left of this picture. His assistant Steve Ingham being thrown. At this time before the name changed a year later to Leicester Judo Club was known as the Mombasa JuiJitsu Club. Makes reference to classes starting 6 x weeks prior which would be November 1946 although it did start at the end of October. Likely to have been a handful of instructors or experienced students in the beginning.

We are having a free exhibit open to the public to see details of our illustrious history as well as a collaboration of karate and aikido classes in our dojo. All grades welcome! Saturday 24th October 2026. PM me for details.
Love to see some ex members pop along to the days event!

A special anniversary of our prestigious club will be happening the weekend of 24/25 October 2026 to celebrate this milestone...details coming soon!

Some great photos of the early years of karate in the dojo. Photos c.1974 with Antony Conroy teaching. Photos courtesy of Lynne Conroy 🙇‍♂️

During the recent karate club 60th anniversary celebration it was great to meet with Tony Hodgkin’s who kindly sent some photos from the early seventies... Here are a few blasts from the past. Includes pictures of Steve Pratt, Jim McNair, Ted Simpson, Dean Hodgkin, Antony Conroy, Pete Statham, Harvey Smith, Gill Sykes, Marie and Mark James and many more.

Coming soon Leicester Karate Club 60th anniversary free exhibition

Just heard the sad news that Jim McNair who was a 2nd dan at Leicester Karate Club in the 70's and early 80's died last week. Our thoughts and sympathies to his family and friends. I remember him as a very tough black belt. It was always a test facing him in on the mats!

Myself with Pasquale Petrella in November 2024. Pasquale from Germany has been a regular instructor visiting the dojo since 1994.