History

Seijitsu Karate Club first started in 1976, but it was then known as Cheltenham Shinto Karate Club. It later changed its name to come under the banner of The Phoenix Karate Organisation. In those early days the club studied the art of Shotokan Karate under the instruction of the founder Sensei Steve Wheatley and the Club was affiliated to the KUGB, Karate Union of Great Britain.

Within 3 years the club had built a reputation for its sound basics and hard training, combined with good discipline. The club then changed its style of Karate to Wado-Ryu, after joining the Tera Karate Kai under the great Japanese Instructor Sensei Toru Takamazwa. The club became known for its very high standards and understanding of traditional Wado-Ryu Karate and throughout the 80s the club built a very good reputation of its practice of Wado-Ryu. It was during this time that Phoenix Karate was established, this in part came about due to political differences and money problems within side Tera. The club was approached by Chief Instructor Sensei Barry Tatlow to help found this new organisation in order to progress and develop Wado-Ryu Karate.