Sensei Garry Harford - 7th Dan KUGB

Garry was born in Salford on 21st April 1960. He was 12 years old when he first began Karate training. His first club was KNK Karate Club, Ardwick, Manchester. He took his first kyu gradings under Sensei’s Andy Sherry and Bob Poynton; both of whom influenced his Karate immensely. Garry was graded to 1st Dan in 1976 under Sensei Enoeda.

His competition career started in local tournaments moving on to KUGB regional championships and in 1977 he was selected to fight for the KUGB British Karate Control Commission (BKCC) Championships where he came third in the Junior Kumite.

He was selected for the first KUGB Junior squad and was part of the squad, which competed at the 1980 European championships, held in Bregenz, Austria. Garry was part of the team that won 1st place in the junior team Kumite and Kata plus 1st place in the senior team Kata.

Whilst a member of the junior squad it was sensei Sherry’s sheer energy and determination had an enormous impact on him which enabled him to develop his strengths in and out of Karate. Even today, whilst training under sensei Sherry he still feels that very same energy which made him perform to the best of his ability.

Garry’s style focused on speed, timing and quality of technique, which was often displayed in his performances. He was also comfortable using both feet and hands to combat his opponents.

In the KUGB National championships Garry regularly came 3rd in the Kumite events and placed 2nd in the Kata. He has also won the KUGB Shotokan Cup competition on two separate occasions, once in Kata and once in Kumite.

Garry’s main competition highlight was being part of the team that beat Japan in the 1990 World Championships in Sunderland. Garry was a member of the team that for many years dominated Karate in Great Britain, Europe and the World.