Celebrating Shihan Dai Mark Jones’ Promotion to Shihan Dai A

Honouring Shihan Dai Mark Jones’ Promotion to Shihan Dai A

In any karate association, there are people who turn up, train, and go home—and then there are the people who quietly hold everything together.
For us, that person has been Shihan-Dai Mark.
It’s with real pride that we recognise his promotion to Shihan Dai A, a title that reflects not just his technical level, but his years of loyalty, graft, and service to the association.

Shihan Dai is not an honorary label. It is a senior teaching title given to instructors who act as the right hand of their Shihan—those who lead from the front, protect the standards of the dojo, and keep the spirit of the art alive on and off the mats. Being awarded Shihan Dai A marks a significant step in that journey and is reserved for those who have truly earned the trust of both students and seniors.

Over the years, Mark has done far more than just “help out.”
While Shihan has been recovering, he has kept the association running—week in, week out.
From Little Ninjas taking their first steps in karate, through every kyu grade, all the way up to the black belts, Mark has been there, consistently.
He is usually the first one in, setting up before class, running the admin, teaching, supporting, and the last one out, making sure everything is closed up properly.

His commitment hasn’t stopped at group classes. Mark has offered one-to-one programmes, extra support to students preparing for gradings, and guidance to those struggling with confidence, fitness, or technique.
He has supported parents, encouraged nervous beginners, and pushed advanced students to higher standards.
His support doesn’t switch off; it’s ongoing and genuine.

What stands out most is that he hasn’t done this for recognition or titles.
He has done it because he cares about the association, the students, and the legacy of the art he teaches.
This promotion to Shihan Dai A simply puts an official name to what everyone on the mats already knows.

On behalf of Shihan, instructors, all students, and parents: thank you, Shihan Dai Mark Jones, for keeping the dojo and the association strong through the years.

Oss.