Sensei Peter Wright began training in Martial Arts in August 1988, taking up the style Yamaguchi Goju-Kai under the instruction of Sensei Ian MaGarity, who was the Chief Instructor for IKGA England. He attended numerous training camps and seminars, regularly attending the European training camps that were organised by the IKGA.

• Sensei Tick Donavon, Summer Training Camp, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
• Sweden, Summer Camp
• Hungary, Instructors Training Seminar
• Switzerland, Summer Camp
• Brazil, World Championships, Training Seminar
• Holland, European Championships, Training Camp

Grading Dates

• 1993 Obtained 1st Dan Grade, under Sensei Ian MaGarity (5th Dan)
• 1996 Obtained 2nd Dan Grade, European Panel, Hanshi Goshi Yamaguchi (8th Dan) + 6 IKGA Shihans
• 1999 Obtained 3rd Dan Grade, under Sensei Mark Attfield (5th Dan)
• 2003 Obtained 4th Dan – European Panel AMA Masters (Shihans)
• 2008 Obtained 5th Dan Shihan– Technical Panel AMA Masters (Shihans)

Competitions Attended

It was not until Peter gained his 1st Dan that he entered any major tournaments. He soon found that he enjoyed competing and gained a strong reputation for his Kata. During the Brazilian IKGA Goju-Kai World Championships he was successful in reaching the semi-finals in the Kata event, and whilst competing in the European IKGA Goju-Kai Championships he reached the finals.

Teaching Experience

Peter opened his first Dojo in October 1993, at a local church hall teaching Goju-Kai on a weekly basis. His classes soon expanded and due to the demand an additional 2 evenings per week were opened. Within this club are four Senior Dan grades teaching approximately 100 students per week, training over 3 nights.  Until July 2002 the club was still located in the church hall, unfortunately due to the sale of the premises it has moved to a local school in the same road, Bournemouth Park Junior School.

Sensei Peter Wright has been established in the Southend area for over 17 years, and has seen many students pass through his Dojo, making it one of the longest running Martial Art Schools in the area. Many of the students have entered and been successful in regional competitions, in both Kumite and Kata events.

Peter is a strong believer in maintaining a high standard of Dan grades and the responsibility that goes with the wearing of a Black Belt. Although running a very successful Dojo running for nearly 14 years, only a handful of students have been graded to the prestigious level of Black Belt.