Vicky began karate in 1988, age 8, at West Kirby Karate Club under the instruction of Sensei John Bolton. In 1991 under Sensei Enoeda, Vicky achieved her Shodan and went on to achieve her Nidan two years later under Sensei Sherry. Upon achieving her Shodan, Vicky was selected for KUGB kata squad. At the time she did not know that she would go on to attend these training sessions for over 20 years. Unable to grade any higher until the age of 21, Vicky focused on KUGB competitions.
In 1997, age 18, Vicky moved to University in Manchester and started her new karate journey, she started training under Sensei Garry Harford. Training every day with such an inspirational instructor was the start of her International career.
Representing the KUGB England team in all events (kata, team kata, kumite and team kumite), Vicky is proud to have been a member of the KUGB England team for over 10 years. Vicky’s main international achievements include winning first place in 2003 at the World Champions (Switzerland) in the Senior Team Kumite event. Vicky’s proudest karate moment is scoring ‘ippon’ with a double jodan mawashi-geri in the final fight of this tournament against Hungary, to take the Team kumite title. In Spain 1999, Vicky also took gold at the European Championships in the Junior Team Kumite.
International competitions have also furnished her with numerous Silver and Bronze medals for both individual and team events.
Nationally and individually, Vicky has taken the title at Shotokan Cup Competition on 9 occasions and the National Championships on 3 occasions. In 2006 Vicky became Grand Champion (Individual kata and Individual kumite) at both the Shotokan Cup and the National Championships. A fantastic achievement to be Double Grand Champion in both National competitions.
Between 2000 and 2011 together with Dean Field and Stuart Gordon, Vicky represented Manchester University. Dominating the Team Kata event, they won the title 9 times with their strong performance of Unsu. Vicky retired from competition in 2012 after the birth of her daughter. She continues to train under Sensei Harford and has turned her attention to obtaining further qualifications. Now a qualified KUGB judge and KUGB instructor, Vicky regularly assists Sensei Harford with teaching at the Shotokan Karate Academy. Vicky continued to take her Dan gradings at the earliest opportunity, gaining her 6th Dan in October 2019 at the age of 40, Vicky is currently the youngest 6th Dan within in the KUGB.
Sensei Garry Harford has been instrumental part of Vicky’s karate success. Vicky states “I feel very lucky to train under such a fantastic and motivational Sensei, his dedication to his students and to karate is exceptional. Training with Sensei Harford is a real honour, he continues to inspire me every day. I am very grateful for all of his support, encouragement and tuition over the years to develop my karate and reach my current level. I will continue to strive to meet his very high standards and keep improving my karate”.
