Shihan JJ Burnel has over 40 years of training in martial arts.

He first started Tae Kwondo at age 19. At 21 years of age he started Kyokushinkai under Sensei Brian Crowley. In 1978 he went to Tokyo to train at the Kyokushinkaikan in Ikebukuro.

Since 1991 he has been UK branch chief of The Shidokan.

He has taught, fought and demonstrated all over the world including Japan.

He was awarded his 6th Dan in Japan in 2005 and was awarded the title Renshi in 2012.

In 2014 he was promoted to Nanadan, 7th Dan.