Paul
Dempsey
Beginner to 3rd Dan
Sensei Paul Dempsey started karate in 1966 at the age
of 14. Just two years later he was graded by Sensei Kanazawa and passed
his 1st Dan. In 1970 he took 2nd place for kata in the Scottish Championships
(mixed styles) and 5th for kata and 2nd for team kumite in the European
Shotokan Championships (Brussels) where he was a member of the Scottish
team. The following year, Sensei Paul visited Japan where he competed in
the All Japan Championships, the Kyushu International Goodwill Tournament
and the World Elimination Match where he took 7th place for kata. This
same year, he passed his 2nd Dan and then achieved 3rd Dan
just one year later in 1972. Both were from Sensei Kanazawa.
3rd Dan to 6th Dan
In 1973, Sensei Paul was the team captain at the
Scottish Shotokan Championships where he won the title of Grand Champion
by coming first in all three catagories - individual kumite, individual
kata and team kumite.
1973 also saw Sensei participate in the JKA
International and, with the Scottish kumite team (5 out of 7 of whom
were from the Dundee club), win 2nd place in the Danish Shotokan Cup. In
1975, Sensei Paul represented Scotland in an international between
Germany, Belgium and Scotland. In 1977, at the age of just 24, Sensei
Paul became the youngest 4th Dan in Europe at this time and the only 4th
Dan in Scotland. Just 5 years later, in 1982, he was appointed Chief
Instructor and Grading Examiner of the KUSN by the Chief instuctor of
the JKA - Shihan Nakayama.
Diploma of Honour
Paul J. Dempsey
For his outstanding achievement in
shotokan karate. We confirm his position as instructor and examiner for
the Karate Union Scotland.
We expect him to endeavour for
further progress in the future.
The Japan Karate
Association
President: Zentaro Kosaka
Chief Instructor: Masatoshi
Nakayama
Chief Instructor Europe: Keinosuke Enoeda
The following year, Sensei achieved his 5th Dan and
in 1985 he participated in the World Shotocup in Japan.
His most recent
achievements include passing his 6th Dan in 1992 and his appointment
as Technical Director for the JKA Scotland by Sensei Enoeda in
1993. In 2008 the instructors of the KUSN presented sensei Paul with
his 7th Dan.
