| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Branch Chief and Chairman | Shihan Martin McAlister |
| Secretary & Treasurer | Senpai Liz Whytock |
| Perth Dojo Operator | Sensei Belle McAlister |
| Webmaster | Senpai Brian Crighton |
| Child Protection Officer | Senpai Gill Alexander |
| Licence Officer | Senpai Brian Crighton |
All KyokushinRyu instructors are Disclosure Scotland Police checked, hold a First Aid qualification and are insured as members of NAKMAS. They also appear on the NAKMAS Black Belt register. This can be seen from the LINKS page of this website.
Shihan Martin McAlister started his martial arts career at the age of 10 years old in Dundee with boxing. He boxed for the Royal Navy on six occasions, also sparring with people like Joe Bugner, before his rise to fame, as well as training in Judo.
In 1972 he joined the Perth Karate Club, training under Sensei David Stratton. For extra training he joined the Perth boxing club with the late John Kelly, a well respected boxer in his time and a very strict coach. Martin progressed in Shotokan Karate to reach the rank of Third Dan.
In 1983 he started to change his clubs to Kyokushin Karate. After two years he made the grade of first Dan once again and progressed back up the ladder to reach the grade of 6th Dan, Shihan, which he was awarded in 2010. In 1991 he was appointed Branch Chief of Scotland by the founder of Kyokushin, Sosai Masatatsu Oyama, 10th Dan. After visiting Japan on several occasions Martin has become an international Referee and Judge and was a member of the Kyokushin GB grading panel.
Martin specialises in Kata applications. Bunkai, (the use of the kata techniques as self defence)and in submission Jujitsu (Grappling). Also having spent some time in the Special Air Service (TA) Martin is an expert in defence against weapons.
Shihan Martin has fought many times for his country and in 2005 he represented GB in the Senior world tournament in Japan. In 2006 he faught in the European senior tournament in Italy and in August 2009 he became the first person to represent Scotland at the World Senior Tournament in Japan.Shihan Martin resigned from the International Karate Organisation Kyokushinkaikan in 2019 and took up th e position of Branch Chief for Scotland for the International Karate Alliance KyokushinRyu. This position was awarded by Kancho Peter Chong. He was awarded 7th Dan by Kancho in October 2019.
Sensei Belle McAlister started training in 1973 at the Perth Karate Club in the Caledonian road school where she progressed to the rank of 1st Dan in Shotokan. Belle left Karate for a while in 1980 to teach aerobics, weights, and Combat aerobics (Which she still teaches).
Belle returned to Karate in 1990 and progressed again to the rank of 1st Dan in Kyokushin Karate. She was The first Scottish Woman to fight Knockdown, the first to become an International Judge and grading official, and again the first Woman in the Kyokushin GB ( Scotland, England, Wales ) to reach the rank of 3rd Dan. Belle is well known for high standards and Kata technique.
Sense Belle was awarded her 4th Dan by Kancho in July 2019
