Sensei Terry Boughton

One evening, two local lads walked into the Penzance Karate Club. One was keen to train, but didn't want to start on his own so he dragged along his reluctant brother, who was profoundly deaf. By the end of the evening Terry, the deaf brother, was hot, sore and hooked. Though Terry had previously trained in Judo with Sensei Brian Gent (and had graded to Green Belt), Karate was a whole new ball game.

The only allowance made for Terry's deafness was the instructor tried to make a point of facing Terry when shouting commands (so Terry could lip read him), and in grading examinations a senior grade stood to one side and signed anything that Terry had not understood from the grading panel. Many evenings were spent in a local hostelry after training teaching Terry how to lip read Japanese, and other club members learning the rudiments of sign language. Being deaf, Terry would study intently every subtle nuance of a move and practice it to perfection - unfortunately the instructor could not afford to have an "off night" as Terry would collar him afterwards and demand to know why the elbow position in the Kata was two inches lower than it was last week!

A dedicated and hard working student, Terry soon became a "personality" in the South West of England attending every course and training session he could. His pet phrase ''all part of it!'' has become part of local Karate terminology, usually uttered just after accidentally kicking someone in the groin! When Terry passed his black belt grading the local T.V. station invited him up for an interview and demonstration of his skills. An interesting day, to say the least! The demonstration went well for Terry, but during a takedown technique he managed to pull down his instructors trousers - fortunately there is only one copy of the video left in existence, and Shihan Whale isn't showing it to anyone.

Hard but fair, Terry was an instructor who brooked no nonsense and has many good students to his credit. However, just before Terry's Third Dan grading his doctor told him to quit Karate as he had severe arthritis in his back. Despite the pain and his doctor's orders Terry took and passed his grade.

Terry's stubbornness resulted in the seniors of Sandokai forcibly resigning him, which didn't go down well at all. No longer capable of the physical demands of Karate training, Terry took on the role of Registrar and Licensing Officer, and utilised his years of experience coaching senior grades, sitting on grading panels and dealing with administrative and political issues. He is also Sandokai's Chief Examiner, with responsibility for all aspects of grading examinations from sorting out the paperwork and deciding who sits on what panel to making a "final decision" in the case of any dispute.

Terry is also a stalwart of the Newlyn club, doing all the administrative stuff and casting a keen and critical eye over the training, providing valuable insights to the students and instructors alike.

In November 1998, Terry's continuing commitment to Karate generally and Sandokai specifically was rewarded with his Fourth Dan, and then his 5th Dan in February 2004. To this day Terry is still actively involved in his art, keeping the seniors on their toes and setting an example of what can be achieved through the study of the martial arts.

Sandokai Karate would not be the same without him.