Chief Instructor John Titchen – Founder, DART Karate

John teaches self protection and karate seminars internationally. He is also an instructor at the DART regular self defence classes in High Wycombe. One of the UK’s foremost self protection and practical karate instructors, he is known for his groundbreaking karate books, blog and self defence scenario training.

John gained his first Black Belt in Shotokan Karate in 1995 with the English Shotokan Karate Association from Shihan Roger Hall 8th Dan. In addition to his rank in DART he currently holds a 6th Dan with the British Combat Karate Association and the English Karate Federation. He is a former University and Secondary school teacher, military instructor and co-curricular education specialist. John has over 30 years experience of training in martial arts and self protection and has taught seminars in Canada, Europe and the USA. John’s books on Karate and Self Defence have sold on five continents.

John has a broad range of coaching qualifications in Self Defence and Conflict Management. He is registered and insured as an instructor with The Combat Group. John has been interviewed by  Combat Magazine and Martial Arts Planet and was a regular columnist for Traditional Karate Magazine and the ezine Jissen. He is also recognised as one of the leading providers of safe scenario training for self defence in the UK. You can read more about John on his personal website here.

John has an enhanced DBS and undertakes regular safeguarding and child protection training. He is one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads with the Practical Karate Association. John is a qualified first aider and is fully insured.

 

Instructor Barney Annetts – 1st Dan DART

Barney joined DART at the RGS High Wycombe club in September 2015.

Barney is a coach at our evening classes. He has enjoyed cross-training with Instructors such as HAVOC coaches Jay Cooper, Simon Sheridan and Lei Bridges. He has also trained with Ju Jitsu Instructor Alan Murphy and Karate Unity’s Chris Hanson. Barney recently enjoyed a unique seminar with Progressive Karate’s Leigh Simms, Bill Burgar, and Graham Palmer. In addition he has also enjoyed attending seminars in BJJ with Scottish MMA fighter Tom Hepburn. He is a keen participant in Sim Days.

Barney gained his Shodan in DART Karate in July 2021. He is a fully insured Instructor in  DART, has an enhanced DBS, takes part in regular child protection training and is a qualified First Aider. Barney is registered and insured as an instructor with The Combat Group.

Barney is a student at The University of Birmingham and joins us in the holidays.

 

Assistant Instructors

Instructor Haaqan Chaudry – 2nd Dan DART

Haaqan began training in Karate at a children’s club in High Wycombe, learning sport karate. He switched to training in DART for self defence at the RGS High Wycombe club as a teenager in January 2009.

Haaqan is one of the technique demonstrators in the Pinan Flow System series of Karate books. He has extensive experience of utilising his soft and physical skills in scenario training and enjoys cross-training. Haaqan gained his Shodan in DART Karate in March 2017 and achieved his Nidan in July 2021. He has an enhanced DBS, undertakes regular child protection training and is a fully insured and registered Instructor in DART  with The Combat Group.

Haaqan is a practicing medical doctor. He is currently working out of the country.

 

Instructor Mikolaj Lenczewski – 2nd Dan DART

Mikolaj began training in DART at the RGS High Wycombe club as a teenager in September 2015.

In addition to training in DART Miko has also enjoyed  cross training with instructors such as HAVOC Founder Jay Cooper. He has also trained with UK HAVOC Instructors Simon Sheridan and Lei Bridges. Mikolaj also enjoys groundwork and benefits from occasional BJJ training with Scottish MMA fighter Tom Hepburn.

Mikolaj achieved his Shodan in DART Karate in September 2020 and his Nidan in December 2022.  He acts as a support coach for John and Barney. Miko has an enhanced DBS and undertakes regular child protection training. Miko is a support coach for DART Instructors John and Barney.

Mikolaj is an Engineer.
 

Instructor Mateusz Lenczewski – 2nd Dan DART

Mateusz  started  training in DART for self defence at the RGS High Wycombe club in September 2015. He is an occasional coach  at our  evening classes and has enjoyed cross-training with Instructors such as HAVOC Founder Jay Cooper and HAVOC UK Instructor Simon Sheridan. Mat has also worked with Chris Hanson and experienced Mushin Ju Jitsu with Sensei Alan Murphy. He enjoys grappling and cross-trains in BJJ with Scottish MMA fighter Tom Hepburn when he visits.

Mateusz gained his Shodan in September 2020 and his Nidan in DART Karate in December 2022. He has an enhanced DBS, undertakes regular child protection training, and is a qualified First Aider. Mateusz is a support coach for DART Instructors John and Barney.

Mateusz is a student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

 

Instructor Leo Wiltsher Rose – 1st Dan DART

Leo  started  training in DART for self defence at the RGS High Wycombe club in September 2015.

Leo currently trains and coaches at the evening classes and has enjoyed cross-training with Instructors such as Progressive Karate’s Leigh Simms and HAVOC UK Instructor Simon Sheridan. He has also attended seminars with Bill Burgar, Graham Palmer, and Karate Unity’s Chris Hanson. Leo has also trained with the Scottish MMA fighter Tom Hepburn. He is a keen Sim Day participant.

Leo gained his Shodan in DART Karate in December 2021. He has an enhanced DBS and undertakes regular child protection training. Leo is a support coach for DART Instructors John and Barney.

Leo is a student at the University of Brighton and joins us in the holidays.

 

Instructor Maxim Dusek – 1st Dan DART

Max began training in DART at the RGS High Wycombe club in September 2016.

Maxim is an occasional coach at our evening classes. He enjoys cross-training and has trained with Instructors such as HAVOC UK Instructor Simon Sheridan and Progressive Karate’s Leigh Simms. He has also attended seminars with Bill Burgar, Graham Palmer and Karate Unity’s Chris Hanson. Max enjoys training in BJJ with Scottish MMA fighter Tom Hepburn and takes part when he visits. He currently trains MMA at University. Maxim has attended multiple Sim Days.

Max achieved his Shodan in DART Karate in December 2021. Maxim has an enhanced DBS and undertakes regular child protection training. Maxim is a support coach for DART Instructors John and Barney.

Max is a student at the University of Cardiff and he joins us in the holidays.

 

Dan gradings for Shodan through to Yondan are comprised of meeting pre-grading training hours and skill requirements, attendance at a minimum fixed number of Scenario Training Days, theory papers or essays, external skill qualifications and a five hour skill assessment.

Dan gradings for Godan and above are comprised of meeting pre-grading training hours and skill requirements, attendance at a minimum fixed number of Scenario Training Days, a theory paper, and contribution to the development of the Way through teaching and research.

DART Dan grades are deemed current as follows:

• Shodan – up to 2 years from grading or 6 months from participation in a PKA run Sim Day or seminar.
• Nidan – up to 3 years from grading or 6 months from participation in a PKA run Sim Day or seminar.
• Sandan – up to 4 years from grading or 6 months from participation in a PKA run Sim Day or seminar.
• Yondan – up to 5 years from grading or 6 months from participation in a PKA run Sim Day or seminar.
• Godan – up to 6 years from grading or 6 months from participation in a PKA run Sim Day or seminar.
• RokuDan – up to 7 years from award or 6 months from participation in a PKA run Sim Day or seminar.
• Nanadan – up to 8 years from award or 6 months from participation in a PKA run Sim Day or seminar.
• HachiDan – up to 9 years from award or 6 months from participation in a PKA run Sim Day or seminar.
• Kudan – honorary.
• Judan – honorary.