On this day….(June 10)

On this day, 10 June 1946, Michael Dewey, the Chief Instructor of Shotokan of England Karate Union (SEKU), was born.

Dewey, a boat builder by trade, began his karate training in 1967 at the Portsmouth Karate Club. Dewey, a keen footballer, was introduced to the new art of karate by his girlfriend. On weekends Ray Fuller, a black belt from Keinosuke Enoeda’s Blackfriars Shotokan dojo in London, would travel to Portsmouth to teach.

In 1972 Dewey earned his 1st Dan from Enoeda at a Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) Summer Training Course, held at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London.

Dewey became a full time karate instructor in 1974, running several clubs on the south coast of England.

Between 1973 to 1979 Dewey was a member of several KUGB squads. He was a member of the British team that came third at the 1977 World Championships held in Japan. He was also a member of the 1980 team that won European gold in Brussels. He was also selected to represent the British All-Styles Karate Team between 1975 to 1979, under the management of Steve Arneil.

In 1982 Dewey was appointed the Chief Instructor of the South of England Karate Union (SEKU), which was eventually renamed to Shotokan of England Karate Union.