Meet the bjk team
Sensei simon dodd
Chief Instructor – 5th Dan – Instructor of St Athan SKC
Inspired by watching too many Bruce Lee films with his uncle, Simon tried various martial arts looking for something similar. In 1997, at the age of 8, Simon joined the Welsh Karate Union club in Llantwit Major; just two weeks after it had opened and where he would remain for the next 27 years.
Simon’s first instructor was Sensei Richard Jenkins who inspired him in his early days of karate training. After Sensei Jenkins left to focus on family life, the club had a few uncertain years with changing instructors until Sensei Keith Vincent took over. He would remain a constant guiding figure for the following 8 years, particularly inspiring Simon’s continued love of kata and bunkai, and would see him grade to Shodan (2005) and Nidan (2011), and would go on to achieve his Sandan (3rd Dan) in 2011, Yondan (4th Dan) in 2016, and Godan in 2022, all under the watchful eye of WKU Chief Instructor Paul Watson, 7th Dan.
At the age of 18, Simon took over the running of his club and, despite enjoying many further years of competition success, found it was the teaching and development of others that would be his passion. This became a catalyst to complete a BSc and MSc in Sport Coaching and Development to further improve his knowledge and ability, attaining a 1st Class (Honours) and Distinction respectively, leading to academic publications on martial arts topics; particularly focusing on kata and pedagogy. Simon now acts a guest lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, delivering on a number of modules, and continues to pursue academic martial arts research projects.
Having been incredibly fortunate to train with excellent instructors such as Paul Watson, Dave Hazard, Iain Abernethy, Wayne Otto, and George Best to name but a few, Simon was exposed to a wide variety of approaches to karate. In 2024, he took the difficult decision to leave the Welsh Karate Union, thankfully with Sensei Paul’s blessing, to pursue and formalise his own thoughts and ideas into what would become the BJK; Budo Jissen Karate.
Loves: Kata, Bunkai, Cobra Kai (it was an illegal kick), Research, Watching people develop
Dislikes: Being at a desk job and watching my belt get inextricably shorter year on year
Sensei Kirsty stuart-dodd
Instructor of Llantwit Major SKC – 3rd Dan – Social Media and PR Officer
Kirsty has been training in martial arts since she was just 3 years old with her dad as her first instructor. She began training in Shotokan karate when her family were stationed in Germany with the Royal Engineers and she enjoyed regularly beating up the Squaddies. When Kirsty and her family moved to Llantwit Major in 2000, her dad enrolled her in a Judo club where she progressed through the grades and competed to a high level, fought with the British team and became British Judo Champion at 16 years old.
She found karate again in 2010 training under Simon Dodd and quickly put muscle memory to the test. She achieved her 1st Dan in 2013, 2nd Dan in 2015, and her 3rd Dan in 2018. Kirsty opened her club originally in 2019 but, sadly, after only 1 year COVID hit and due to the lack of social distancing space available in the hall the club had to close. The club reopened in a new venue in 2023 while Kirsty was 6 months pregnant with hers and Simon’s first child.
Loves: Kata, bunkai, and all things up close and personal
Dislikes: Bouncing when sparring – makes her little legs tired.
Sensei Andrew Richards
Instructor of Neath SKC – 3rd Dan
Andrew started Karate back in 1986 under the instruction of Sensei Lyn Johnson & Terry Jones with the Karate Union Of Wales of which Sensei Mike O Brien was the chief instructor. After attending the Neath YMCA twice a week for lessons Andrew was awarded his Black belt in the October of 1992 by chief instructor Mike O Brien.
After training for many years at the Neath club, it went through some changes, leaving the WKU and going independently for a while. It was in 2012 that Andrew was asked to become the lead instructor of the Neath club which led to joining the Welsh Karate Union in January of 2012 with Chief Instructor Sensei Paul Watson. It was here that Andrew was awarded Nidan in November 2012 and later Sandan in November of 2014.
Andrew has been lucky enough to train with instructors, Mike O Brien, Paul Watson, Dave Hazard, Ian Abernethy & Taiji Kase. Andrew’s time with the Welsh Karate Union allowed him to grow and explore Karate which led him to realise that he shared a common interest with Sensei Simon Dodd and the direction he wanted to take his Karate. He decided to join Sensei Simon in his journey to form Budo Jissen Karate.
Loves: Exploring Kata (finding the hidden throws & joint locks), the original Karate Kid (Cobra Kai is good though) & seeing the next generation of Karateka develop.
Dislikes: Working Night shifts, especially when it means missing training.
Instructor's Skills & Experience
Our instructors all have excellent levels of skill and experience. We pride ourselves on a wide array of knowledge among our instructors and senior grades. We firmly believe that everyone can learn from each other regardless of experience, age, or ability.
