Jamie Ogston

My karate journey began in 2013 when I was a second year University student looking to do an extracurricular activity instead of having my head buried in a textbook. I had the opportunity to study a variety of martial arts, however, I chose Karate as I was enticed by the mental and physical benefits of the art. I was under the tuition of Sensei Richard Jones who was also proficient in Judo. I trained with five other karateka twice a week and successfully graded to 5th Kyu before graduating from University in 2015.

Whilst I was searching for a new club to join after graduation, I met Arthur Velvas who recommended attending a few sessions at CFTS under the tutelage of Renshi Kidby. I have not looked back since and have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of this federation since 2016.

From the Kyu gradings that I successfully passed, I began to see the positive effects karate was having on me both mentally and physically. This assured me that hard work and dedication would enable me to achieve my Black Belt.

Finally, after many years of dedication to wanting to improve my karate, I graded for Shodan in October 2019 and successfully passed. I want to thank Renshi Kidby, Sensei Wilson, Sensei Coombe and other CFTS karateka for their continued support. Achieving this grade is a massive milestone for myself, as this allows me to give back to the club who has supported me. But more importantly, obtaining this grade has motivated me to continue my karate training and conquer the Dan Grades.

Nidan Grading Update - August 2025

Earning my Nidan has been a huge milestone for me, representing years of dedication, resilience and growth. It is not just about technical development or understanding karate more deeply, but about the perseverance, discipline and character that training has built in me over time.

For me, this journey has always been about more than progressing through the grades. It has been about personal growth, pushing past my own limits, embracing challenges and constantly working to improve both my skills and my mindset. Achieving Nidan has reinforced what I have always believed: that persistence and hard work enable you to overcome setbacks and achieve long-term aspirations.

I felt truly humbled when Senseis Jan and Viv Wilson invited me to grade, recognising the progress I had made through consistent training. Preparing for the grading was tough but rewarding, with long hours of practice, refining techniques and keeping my focus sharp right up until the day itself.

On the day of the grading, the pressure was intense. No matter what grade a karate-ka holds, you want to perform at your absolute best for your senseis. My Shodan grading gave me an idea of what to expect, but Nidan pushed me to another level. The CFTS Instructors’ Committee examined everything: technique, spirit, endurance and composure. Honestly, the hardest part was not the grading itself, but the wait while the committee decided whether I was successful. That felt like an eternity. When I finally heard the result, the mix of relief, pride and gratitude was overwhelming, and it is a feeling I will never forget.

Now that I have reached Nidan, I feel even more motivated to give back, to inspire, mentor and support others within CFTS. This achievement is not the end of the journey, but the start of the next stage, where learning never stops and the pursuit of self-improvement continues. More than anything, Nidan is both a recognition of the effort I have put in so far and a foundation for everything still to come.