Ishinryu karate (meaning "All of One Heart") finds its roots in a small sub-urban town of Dagenham on the outskirts of London. It was here that David "Ticky" Donovan 8th Dan OBE started his first club, combining his acquired knowledge from Kyokushinkai, Wado-ryu and Shotokan. Taught by Japanese masters of different styles, Ticky soon progressed through the ranks to achieve the coveted grade Sho-dan (black belt). An accomplished competitor he soon became a regular member of the English national squad, winning the British Championships in 1973/74/75

After a successful fighting career he soon became the English and British coach. He took Britain to the pinnacle of world karate as Britain won the world championships five times in succession.

In 1991 Ticky was awarded the OBE

Ishinryu has dominated the British and English championships since the early eighties both in Kumite (fighting) and Kata (pre-arranged moves to imaginary attack and defence), producing many male and female, British, English, European, and World champions.

These same successful students have now spread out to open their own clubs in the same name. The style has now spread as far afield as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Karate is both an exciting combat sport and an effective form of self defence. However , becoming skillful at Karate requires two things, dedication from the student and effective coaching.