Carlisle club encourages locals to experience benefits of Karate

Carlisle Mitsuru Karate Club opened in July 2023 by father and son duo David and Aidan Docherty and takes place at Botcherby Community Centre on Tuesday nights.

The club represents the latest branch of Mark Holding's Mitsuru Karate which had previously brought the teachings of Grandmaster Hironori Otsuka to Penrith, Keswick, Appleby, Shap, and Dalston.

Six months after starting the Carlisle branch of the local Karate conglomerate, David and Aidan are encouraging more beginners to get involved and experience the benefits of the sport that they have felt first-hand.

Aidan Docherty in action (Image: Supplied)David said: "Myself and my son have been teaching at Dalston for the last two years and we run a class at Shap for Mark. 

"We are asking for new members to build that club, and Mitsuru means 'to grow' so it is all about improving.

"We have an inclusive policy, it is not just about elite sport, Karate is for everybody. 

"For me, it has been a way of life, it has been life-changing for me. Socially, you meet a lot of interesting people and there are just so many benefits.

David's son Aidan is currently riding the crest of a wave in terms of his Karate career, winning an under-21s and senior title last year as part of a fantastic run that saw him claim a podium place in 15 of the 17 tournaments he competed in. 

Aidan is also set to represent England in Georgia next week. However, away from his competition, the Carlisle branch of Mitsuru Karate provides Aidan with the chance to pursue his passion for sports coaching. 

"My son has left school, he has done his A-level and he wants to be a sports coach," His father David said. 

"It's his passion, it is always what he has wanted to do and ever since I started doing Karate I have enjoyed teaching so I am more than happy to go along with him and help him as much as I can, it is his club really."