Steve Hearson, 4th Dan
Steve began this martial art career at the age of eight with the practice of Judo. By the age of nineteen he had achieved the grade of 2nd dan black belt under the BJA & BJC. During these years he trained under Dave Starbrook, Nick Player, Mutsuhau Otani Sensei and on one occasion with the great Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.
In 1972, at the age of nineteen, Steve began Karate-Do Shotokai with Norbert West who introduced him to Bill Barnes. Steve spent the next 20 years training with Bill before moving to the Slough club and practicing with Ziggy Boban. Steve started and ran his own club in Luton for around ten years (this has been revived in 2018).
For many years Steve visited the London club and / or the Hertfordshire KDS club weekly to pass on the knowledge that he has gained throughout his long Karate-Do career.
In February 2017 Harada Sensei awarded Steve the grade of 4th Dan black belt.