Sensei Mark Knight
Head of Association
Mark Knight has been training in Wado Karate for 17 years and holds the grade of 3rd Dan. Mark has run the Sakura Academy in the West Midlands since 2008 and has coached students to innumerable grading and competition success.
Since 2014, along with wife Becky Knight, they have coached their senior students to an amazing 26 Wado European medals including 11 Golds and a Wado World Championship Bronze.
Wado Experience
Mark’s Karate began in 2006 under the tutelage of wife Becky and later Sensei Vince Parker at Mushindo Wadokai. During 2009-2012 Mark trained weekly with Kuniaki Sakagami Sensei 8th Dan at his club in Penn, Wolverhampton and was awarded his 1st Dan black belt in 2011. During 2010-2017 Mark continued his training with Sakagami Sensei at the Wado Aiwakai Karate-do Federation monthly way to excellence courses in Alfreton, Derby. Mark has also trained at many training courses over the past 10 years including the Barmouth training camp with Sakagami Sensei and Nukina Sensei.
Sakura Duties
Mark has trained with many different instructors from around the world and is also an avid reader of Martial arts philosophy, training methods and anything ‘Wado’ gaining a wealth of knowledge. He has used his knowledge to analyse many principles of Japanese Karate and develop a more contemporary and progressive approach to teaching. Over the past 5 years Mark has also developed the Sakura syllabus with a more modern structure whilst maintaining the tradition of Wado Karate.
Aside from instructing at Sakura clubs on a weekly basis Mark is also the association Chief instructor and along with wife Becky and daughter Emmy, are responsible for all association Dan grading examinations.
Mark is also responsible for the development of all Sakura clubs and staff training. From attending child protection and equity courses to arranging and delivering association coaching courses. He is an EKF (English Karate Federation NGB) accredited coach and the association Kumite referee.
Work
Mark is employed by Sandwell housing (SMBC) as an electrical project manager and prior to Sandwell he worked for Midland Heart and Wrekin Housing in the same role. In 2004 Mark began an electrical company working on domestic installations and before this he worked for an electrical panel wire company in Cheslyn Hay where he met wife Becky. Mark was a voluntary Child Protection Officer for Wado Aiwakai Karate-do Federation during 2014-2015 and Vice Chairman for Wednesfield Community Centre 2011-2014.
Present Day
Away from Sakura Mark enjoys car detailing, cycling, gaming, hiking and family history. He supports the Leicester tigers rugby club and West Bromwich Albion football club. Mark enjoys watching most sports, Baseball being one of his favourites and he has visited 3 major league baseball grounds in the USA including his beloved team – LA Dodgers.
Charity Work, Fundraising & Challenges
Both Mark and Becky are keen supporters of the charities Cancer research UK and the Meningitis Trust. Mark lost his mom to cancer in 2013 and his sister Michelle suffered from Meningitis as an adult.
In 2010 Mark, Becky and sister Cherry did a sponsored 10 mile walk and raised £469 for the club to purchase Free standing kick bags.
In 2013 Mark raised £522 for the Meningitis Trust running a half marathon with wife Becky and nephew Aaron.
In 2016 & 2017 Mark secured £900 funding from the Rob George foundation to assist in the European competition travel costs for Megan Williams (Sakura senior student).
Mark and fellow Sakura students and parents raised an amazing £1200 for Cancer research UK in 2017 doing a 30 mile bike ride in honour of his mom Hilda.
Mark has a new challenge planned for 2024 - a 100 mile bike ride where he would like to raise over £1500 for the Meningitis Trust – Keep checking the news page for more info
