Your journey from white to black starts with GRAY

The Karate Dojo is a fully professional dojo (a place to practise karate) that is leading the way in the modern coaching of a traditional art. We provide award-winning coaching from grassroots through to elite level in an outstanding purpose built venue at Jion Studios in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Our classes are designed for everyone, from children aged 4 to adults of all ages, offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. We also support elite karate practitioners, as evidenced by the England national team choosing Ripon Karate Dojo for their Commonwealth pre-training sessions.

Sensei Ady Gray serves as the Director of Karate at the dojo, bringing with him an impressive background as the former Head Coach of the England national team. He has been recognised as the UK Coaching Children's Sports Coach of the Year and is UK Coaching ambassador, boasting over 30 years of teaching experience.

Ady’s Major Achievements

2024 - TUKKA - Outstanding National Contribution Award

2022 – Coached the most successful England team in the history of the Commonwealth Championships.

2021 – Became a UK Coaching ambassador.

2019 – Appointed the England Head Coach.

2018 – Winner of the UK’s Children’s Sports Coach of the Year.

2017 – Finalist in the UK Coaching, Children’s Coach of the Year.

2010 – Appointed Assistant National Kata.

2004 – Sports Coach of the Year for North Yorkshire.

1995 – Opened the Karate Dojo in Ripon.

Read more about Sensei Ady and our coaching team HERE

At the Karate Dojo we have created an environment for members to enjoy the unique benefits of this traditional martial art on the mind and body, with the core training emphasis on personal development.

Yes, of course we learn self defence, but at the Karate Dojo we pride ourselves on developing good people whilst nurturing life skills such as respect, positive mental attitude, perseverance and confidence, as well as encouraging the individual personalities.

Join us as we empower ourselves and our communities with karate.

John Blackburn

20/03/2026

Freddie is really loving his karate journey, highly recommend The Karate Dojo.

James English

17/03/2026

Fantastic venue, great instructors, and the perfect climate for families and enthusiastic martial artists alike. A truly excellent dojo. My 11‑year‑old started at 7 and has really grown in confidence. Other members are incredibly supportive and encouraging across all age ranges. There is strong support for everyone—very inclusive, with good awareness of SEND and safeguarding requirements. A real family community spirit. Highly recommended!

Glyn H

16/03/2026

Sensei Ady is really good at coaching at all ability levels and my daughter has a lot of fun in his classes. We're delighted with the progress she is making. 2023 3 years on and our daughter is now a purple belt and benefitting from the confidence and fitness she gets from karate, thoroughly recommend this as a hobby for any child. 2026

Vicky Platt

16/03/2026

My daughter is doing so well at Karate Dojo Ripon is enjoying karate and learning so much. It’s great to see her confidence grow and Ady is such a fantastic teacher and encourages her so that her skills are getting really good and she is remembering the different moves, getting stronger and fitter every week, thank you 🤩 👍Vicky

Sheila Gurung

16/03/2026

Excellent karate club! Rozlyn loves coming to training every week. The instructors are amazing with kids and create a positive, supportive environment. I’ve seen a big improvement in her confidence, focus, and fitness. Highly recommend!”

Ruxandra Iorga

16/03/2026

My son David has been attending karate classes here and it has been such a positive experience for him. The classes are well structured, fun, and really help build discipline, confidence, and respect. His confidence has grown so much since he started. We’re very grateful to have found such a great place for him to learn karate, stay active, and develop important life skills. I would highly recommend it to any parent looking for a positive and encouraging martial arts environment for their child.

Helen Ashby

23/02/2025

The karate Dojo isn't just a training place, it's a family. My daughter started at 5 as a tiger and I joined a year ago. Everyone is welcomed, we are all treated equally whether a white belt beginner or a black belt expert. It's great to be able to train as mother and daughter with one of the best instructors in UK in a fantastic dojo. Recommend to anyone looking for karate classes

Kath Dawes

22/09/2024

Would highly recommend. My 9 year old daughter loves going to Karate, she likes it so much she has recently started going twice a week, still keeping up her other after school clubs. It has been great to see her confidence growing and the proudness she feels every time she passes a grading. Sensei Ady is great with the kids.

chris Spooner

22/09/2024

Absolutely fantastic facilities - One of the very best karate dojo's in the country, without any doubt. First class coaching from Sensei Ady Grey. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

We were delighted to welcome Sensei John Gardiner in to the Dojo

John is the founder and chief instructor of JKG Karate, he is the former EKF England assistant national coach, won the FSKA World Shotokan Championships in 2018 and won a bronze medal in the WSF World championships in 2018 in Istanbul. He is a former British Champion and England team member from 2007 in the under 21 England team through to 2019 as a Senior receiving many England call ups during his competitive career.

Having started his training at the age of 12 he achieved his 1st Dan black belt in 2004 under an examination conducted by Sensei Masao Kawasoe from Japan.

In September 2021 John undertook and passed an examination for his 4th Dan under Sensei Ady Gray 6th Dan Chief Instructor of BSKA and Sensei Colin Smith BSKA Dan grade assessor.

John documented the visit for his YouTube channel and it's definitely worth a watch!

Sensei Ady Gray is not only an award-winning children's coach, he is also Head Coach for the England Karate Team

Learn More