Roy Standen NiDan

 I was a late starter at Portchester Karate Club, joining in 2001 when I was 44. I am a mathematician and, inexplicably now an accountant.

I have three daughters, and they all train at  the Portchester Club. Two are first Dan Black Belts and the other has gained her second Dan – as she reminds me far too often.

I have always had an interest in the martial arts, gaining a Brown Belt in Judo during the seventies, and having brief skirmishes with Tai Kwon Do and Kung Fu before being convinced to join the Portchester Club by my daughters.

There was little doubt that I was not naturally gifted in the art of Shotokan Karate but with regular training, an unwillingness to give up and a tremendous amount of patience from Sensei Merv and the other senior Instructors, I obtained my black belt in June of 2006. I how help with the instruction of the junior section of the club.

My other interests include walking – I have completed the non-stop 100km Trailwalker event twice, conquered the Dales Way and am currently planning an attempt at the West Highland Way.

I also cycle and have completed the Hayling to Paris route a couple of times.

Apart from the actual karate practice and instructing the juniors I also like to get involved with the social aspects of the club and in particular lead the Club’s Sunday walking group which often has 20 and more, members and family, taking part.

I also grow vegetables on my allotment, occasionally find myself fishing from a boat in the Solent, and am the proud owner of a customised Harley Davidson.