Our Instructor

Light Sensei (Richard/Ric Light) personally teaches all classes and has been practising karate since 1974. He began in Sydney training under sensei that included Chan Cheuk Fai and Beng Soon Koh – both now 9th dans. He trained in Japan in Hyashi Ha Shito Ryu Karate where he was graded to 5th Dan by one of the great modern Japanese masters and founder of Hayashi Ha Shito Ryu Kai Karate – Soke Teruo Hayashi, 10th Dan. He has since been graded to 6th dan in Jin Wu Koon Karate by Sensei Chan Cheuk Fai to. In Japan, Light Sensei also trained in kata with teacher of several world kata champions, Sensei Hashimoto Tadashi, 9th dan, and in kumite with Sensei Junichiro Hamaguchi who was runner up in the 1975 World Karate championships.

Light Sensei also has wide experience in training and competing in kickboxing, Muay Thai and Kung Fu with success in Australia and across Asia. He has represented Australia in karate and kung fu and won state, national and international titles in kickboxing, kung fu and karate. Light Sensei brings a rare set of skills and experience to the dojo. In addition to his martial arts experience, he is well qualified to guide and shape learning for students of any age through karate as an Emeritus Professor at the University of Canterbury. He has undergraduate and master’s degrees in education, a PhD in Human Movement, and an international profile as a leading professor of sport coaching.

His broad experience in martial arts and knowledge of how we learn through movement places him in a unique position to provide instruction of the highest level and to help students set and realise their goals, and their full potential. He is also connected to a stream of martial arts knowledge with Hayashi Ha 9th Dan and renown teacher of kata, Sensei Hashimoto Tadashi; Hayashi Ha 9th dan, head of Hayashi Ha in Australia and the Pacific, Sensei Koh Bin Soon and Jin Wu Koon Karate 9th Dan, Sensei Chan Cheuk Fai Having been graded to Shodan (1st dan) Sam Canning supports Light Sensei in teaching. JWK Karate offers you the opportunity to learn in a unique environment and in a way that could change your life.