DEREK LAING SENSEI.

 

Derek Laing started Karate in May 1993 under Sensei Damian Kirby (AMA). He trained up to 3rd Kyu but moved away from the area in October 1994. He then trained under Sensei Norman Kay (NAKMAS) and made 1st Dan in December 1996.

 

He started his first karate club in July 1996 at the local martial arts gym. He called this club Kushanku-Ryu Karate School. When the martial arts gym closed, he moved the club to Lambton St. Fellowship Centre and renamed the club Lambton St. Karate Kai.

 

In April 2000 Derek passed his 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate by the grading panel of the Independent Federation of Martial Arts headed by Sensei George Coates. 

 

Lambton St. Karate Kai joined Karate International/ TradKA-UK in June 2003 and with the help of Sensei Steve Leak and Sensei Jim Reece formed Sunderland Karate Academy. 

 

In January 2004 he opened his 2nd club called Redhouse Karate Kai.

 

Sensei Derek Laing passed his 3rd Dan in March 2004 by the grading panel of Karate International headed by Sensei Peter Clarke and Sensei Steve Leak. 

 

In July 2006 S.K.A. Instructor Sensei Steve Colvin opened his first club with the help of Sensei Derek Laing. The club is called Southwick Karate Kai and becomes the 3rd Sunderland Karate Academy School in the area.

 

Town End Karate Kai opened in July 2007 to become the 4th school to fall under the S.K.A. banner. Sunderland Karate Academy also became a full member of Taisho-Do Karate Association great example of the growth and success of the academy.

 

In May 2008 for contribution towards martial arts Sensei Derek Laing was awarded his 4th Dan a fantastic moment in his Karate career.

 

Hylton Castle Karate Kai was opened in November 2008 with Sensei Dorothy Leach instructing the fifth SKA club.

 

In June 2009 Sensei Derek Laing was voted to the Taisho-Do Karate Association committee taking the position of Vice Chairman a very proud moment for the Instructor.

 

In June 2012 Sensei Derek Laing passed his examinations to become a E.K.F Competition Judge, a personal goal set by himself when he finally retired from competition fighting in late 2011.

 

Sensei Derek Laing was awarded the grade of 5th Dan on March 2014 by the technical committee of the Taisho-Do Karate Association a very emotional and proud moment for the Instructor.

 

In January 2017 Sensei Derek Laing was promoted to E.K.F. Kumite Referee.

 

Sensei Derek Laing reduced the size of the academy back to the main Lambton St. Club in 2017, when Club Instructor Steve Colvin expressed the desire to form his own Karate school.

In December 2023 Derek Laing Sensei was lost for words, when at the Taisho-Do Karate Association end of year Black belt grading, T.A.S.K. Chairman Mark Raistrick Sensei awarded him the grade elevation to 6th Dan.