Meet the Coaches

Gareth Johnson

Gareth holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Karate Ju-Jitsu (NAKMAS) and 2nd Kickboxing (BFKKO). Gareth has a number of years experience in a variety of styles including Thai Boxing, Boxing, Greco Roman Wrestling and more. Gareth’s predominent style of practice and teaching is K1 Kickboxing and Full Contact Karate, he also specialises in Self Defence and Control and Restraing training and has taught well in excess of 500 securiity personnel. Gareth’s training has mostly been undertaken by his father, Shihan (Master) Den Johnson 7th Dan Ju Jitsu and 6th Dan Karate (NAKMAS) and has passed down years of training and is still an active instructor in the Hampshire area.

Holding a HSE 4 day First Aid qualification, as well as, an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Check he is also a qualified Karate Tournament Referee and Judge (NAKMAS). Qualified Kickboxing, Low Kick, and K1 referee and Judge (WAKO) and has competed in Kyokushin-kai (Knockdown Karate), Kickboxing, Thai Boxing, and K1 up to British level.

Through his original club, DKJ Martial Arts which was founded in 2004, Gareth has trained Amateur and Professional Champions in K1 and Thaiboxing with the youngest title holders being 7 years old and the oldest 46. Although fighting is a main stream for any martial arts system, it is not the only acheivable goal his students focus on. Gareth has taken a keen interest in core strength and stability training and offers these sessions on a 121 basis to help with various targets of members, including weight loss, toning, strength training and more.