Mark first venture into the martial arts at the age of 8 in 1972 doing both Judo and Tae Kwon Do. Upon joining the Police service at 18 he started his karate journey. 

Mark moved to Penrith where he joined a club under Sensei Doug James practicing Wado ryu karate. 

He soon realised his passion was kumite and over the years competed at national level taking many medals in the process several at English and British level. 

Mark continued to compete into the veteran categories finally stopping at the age of 50. 

He runs his own group of clubs Mitsuru karate In Cumbria practicing traditional Wado ryu and also competition karate. 

He is the head kumite coach of Yanagi Kai karate association under Sensei Ian Swain. 

He teaches karate full time professionally 6 days a week and loves every minute of it. 

Mark was pleased to be appointed the assistant regional coaches role in February and looks forward to being involved in getting English karate back to where it once was held.