John Ward started Martial Arts with Kenpo in the early 1970’s at Dublin’s famous High Street Club. Earliest Kenpo instructors included John “Jackie” Skelton, Richie O’Connor and Barney Coleman. He graded for his black belt in Kenpo in 1990 under Mr.Tommy Flynn and Alan Corrigan, and joined the IKKA in 1991. He has fond memories of training with GrandMaster Edmund K. Parker 3 times before his passing. An experience that has inspired and influenced him to this day.

John has encountered a multitude of styles over the years and has also studied Aikido, Wing Tsun, Jiu Jitsu and Kyusho. He was tested and ranked as a 7th degree in the International Kenpo Karate Association, He was awarded a 6th degree in the A.K.J.U. by Grandmaster Don Madden, and holds an honorary 7th degree in Ty – Ga Karate International, a 7th Degree in the Zen Kenpo Ryu association Under Grandmaster Martin Rogers And has recently been promoted to 8th degree by Grandmaster Lawrence Day and Grandmaster Ernie Reynolds of The Black Dragon Fighting Society. 8th Degree by Grandmaster Ron Balas, Tai Shin Doh and 8th Degree by the E.U.S.A.I.M.A.A.

Most recent achievements include the: 2006 E.U.S.A.I.M.A.A., "International Martial Arts Ambassador Award" , 2005 "Diamond Crystal award of Spirit" E.U.S.A.I.M.A.A. 2004 “International Award of Excellence” Presented at the E.U.S.A.I.M.A.A. International Black belt Hall of Fame The Zen Kenpo Ryu “International Instructor of the Year”2004 presented in Portsmouth U.K. Earning his Doctorate PhD. in Advanced Martial Arts Studies presented in Pittsburgh USA, 2003; Receiving the Pinnacle of Success Award in 2002,(E.U.S.A.I.M.A.A) International Instructor of the Year in 2001 and induction into the E.U.S.A.I.M.A.A. International Black belt Arts Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh USA in 2001.

He is proud to be the Irish representative for E.U.S.A.I.M.A.A`s.International Blackbelt Hall Of Fame, the E.A.C. member for Martial Aid for Bosnia, Republic of Ireland representative for the Zen Kenpo Ryu association ,the European representative for the A.K.J.U., Irish representative for the Black Dragon Fighting Society.

Martial Artists who have influenced his journey include Edmund K Parker, John Sepulveda, Edward Downey, Skip Hancock, Don Madden, Martin Rogers, Paul Dye, Doreen Cogliandro, Lawrence Day, Dessie McMenamin, He has taught in Australia, Mexico the United Kingdom , Northern Ireland, Jersey, Holland, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles. John extends his hand in respect and friendship to all the Martial Artists, past, present and future who are sincere in the practice and promotion of their art to the highest of standards with an interest in knowledge, sharing, community, and no politics or egos.

Summary

Senior Prof. John Ward – Chief Instructor Ward Kenpo Schools

Rank: 7th degree Kenpo, 6th degree A.K.J.U., Honorary ,7th degree in TY –GA,Karate International and 7th degree Zen Kenpo Ryu. 8th Degree, Black Dragon Fighting Society, 8th degree Tai Shin Doh, 8th Degree EUISAIMAA

Years in training: 39years

Main Style: Kenpo and growing

Other Styles Practiced: Aikido, Jiu Jitsu, Wing Tsun, and Kyusho

First trained in: Dublin’s famous High Street Club in the early 70’s

Original Instructors: John “Jackie” Skelton, Richie O’Connor, Barney Coleman,

Graded for Black Belt: 1990 under Tommy Flynn & Allan Corrigan

Martial Artists most influenced by: The late Edmund K. Parker, John Sepulveda, Edward Downey, Don Madden, Martin Rogers, Dessie Mc Menamin ,Skip Hancock, Paul Dye, Doreen Cogliandro Lawrence Day,

IKKA member since: 1991 to Date.