Brian Yarr

I started training Karate in 2000 at the Newton Ards Wado-Ryu club under Sensei Robert

Hamilton. I reached the grade of 6th Kyu by the time I left home to attend the University of

York in 2001. There I joined the university Karate club (with the blessing of Sensei Hamilton)

which was a Shotokan club affiliated with the KUGB under the head coach Sensei Rob

McCartney.

University was a formative time for my Karate. The training was hard, but very enjoyable. I

competed fairly regularly attending the KUGB Student Nationals, BUSA, Shotokan Cup,

Northern Regions and KUGB Nationals. While there I was elected first to the position of

Secretary and then Captain - which mostly involved running the warm-ups and being the

Uke! The “senior” students (mostly brown belts and the odd Dan grade) were also expected

to do some limited coaching - mostly extra sessions pre-gradings and competitions - which I

enjoyed a lot.

I left University in 2005 as a 1st Kyu but stayed around the York area, continuing to train

hard and in 2006 I was awarded my Shodan by Sensei Andy Sherry.

In 2007 I moved away from York, eventually ending up in Bedford. In this period I didn’t do

much Karate training but did attend a few different clubs and martial arts. In 2021 I started

training at the Brickhill club with my son and haven't looked back since. In 2023 I retook my

Shodan with CFTS. With the continued support of Sensei Young and the other senior grades

I passed my Nidan in March 2026 - which was a hugely proud moment and also the single

most tiring thing I have ever done.

I take my responsibilities as a Dan grade very seriously. I enjoy the coaching I get to do with

junior grades and have been pleased to help mark at gradings. I’ve scored at both of the

competitions that have run in my time at CFTS and competed in the latest one.

I enjoy all aspects of my Karate training, but would like to continue to focus on the practical

side. Which I have ample opportunity to do, training under Sensei Young. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have a number of fantastic instructors in my Karate journey.

While I don’t see myself in their league, I want to continue to support CFTS by helping to

coach students as much as possible.