Welcome to TISKA Market Harborough, where children and adults can learn traditional Shotokan Karate in a friendly, supportive and positive environment.
Market Harborough is one of TISKA’s longest-established clubs, and today we have students of a wide range of ages and abilities, from complete beginners through to experienced Black Belts.
Since taking over as Club Instructor in 2020, Mr Matharu has continued to develop the club while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that makes it a great place to learn and train.
Karate is a great way to keep active, but its benefits go far beyond fitness.
Through regular training, students can develop:
Students are encouraged to work hard, support each other and take pride in their own progress.
One of the great things about karate is that everyone has their own journey.
New students learn the fundamentals step by step before progressing through the grading system and learning more advanced techniques, kata and kumite.
For some students, the goal may simply be to improve their fitness and learn a new skill. Others may want to compete, achieve Black Belt or continue their training towards higher Dan grades.
Whatever your goal, karate provides continual opportunities to learn, improve and challenge yourself.
Our club has students from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities, including children, adults and families who train together.
You don’t need any previous martial arts experience to start, and you don’t need to be particularly fit or flexible.
Our beginners are introduced to karate gradually, with techniques explained and demonstrated step by step.
Everyone starts somewhere. Your karate journey could start here in Market Harborough.
Contact us today to find out more about your free trial.
My name is Mr Matharu and I am a 6th Dan Shotokan Karate instructor with a passion for helping people discover the benefits of karate.
I have been training under TISKA Chief Instructor Shihan Gursharan Sahota, 9th Dan, since 1990. Over the years, karate has become much more than a martial art to me. It has been a lifelong journey of learning, discipline, competition, friendship and personal development.
I achieved my 6th Dan in 2022 and continue to train and develop my own karate by attending classes every week, as well as taking part in TISKA courses, gradings and international masters courses.
Competition has also played an important part in my karate journey.
I have competed successfully at both national and international level, giving me the opportunity to test my skills, learn from other karateka and experience the challenges and rewards that come with competition.
Although competition is an important part of karate for some students, it isn’t the goal for everyone. Whether someone wants to compete, work towards Black Belt, improve their fitness or simply learn a traditional martial art, I believe there is a place for everyone in karate.
I currently teach TISKA Karate clubs in Corby, Kettering, Stamford and Market Harborough.
As an instructor, my aim is to create classes where students are encouraged to work hard, learn properly and enjoy their training.
I believe that good karate training should challenge students without making them feel that they have to be perfect from the beginning. Everyone has to start somewhere, and progress comes through regular practice, patience and perseverance.
For younger students, karate can help develop confidence, concentration, discipline and respect. For adults, it can provide an excellent way to stay active, learn self-defence and continually challenge yourself.
For everyone, there is the satisfaction of learning something new and seeing your own progress over time.
One of the things I value most about karate is that you never really stop learning.
Even after many years of training, there are always techniques to improve, new things to understand and new challenges to take on.
I attend classes and train every week, as well as attending TISKA courses and gradings in the UK and international masters courses. This helps me to continue developing my own karate and bring new knowledge and experience back to my students.
You don’t need any previous experience to start.
You don’t need to be particularly fit, strong or flexible either. Beginners are taught step by step and are given time to become comfortable with the training.
Whether you’re looking for a new activity for your child, want to improve your fitness, would like to learn self-defence or simply want to try something different, you’re welcome to come along.
I’d be delighted to help you take your first step on your karate journey.
Gusharan Sahota
Gursharan Sahota was born in Kenya, East Africa but moved to the UK at the age of 12. He took up Karate at the age of 14 in the local Bedford club and was awarded black belt 1st dan (shodan) four years later.
Now a 9th Dan, Gursharan has competed in a multitude of kata and kumite events, many at national and international level. But the most significant event in his career was the visit he made in 1984 to Japan. There, he fulfilled a great ambition by training in a Japanese dojo under the instruction of Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa.
This experience proved to be a turning point for Gursharan. On his return to England, he realised the trip had been the inspiration he needed to dedicate his future to training and teaching karate as a way of life.
Gursharan’s first club was opened in Luton/Dunstable in 1981 and this is now the association’s hombu (HQ). Having been a teacher of the art for many years, he formed his own association in 1993 – TISKA (The Traditional International Shotokan Karate Association) which is now one of the biggest associations in the UK.
Gursharan’s love of karate has never diminished. He still teaches over 35 classes a week in the UK and regularly takes master classes internationally. All in all, he has brought hundreds of students of all ages up to black belt standard and beyond.
He is also involved in charity work, helping to subsidise trips for surgeons to third world countries to operate on underprivileged children. He has, for many years, funded many projects in India, and is at present helping to fund the building of a new school.
Gursharan lives in Buckinghamshire and is happily married with a son and daughter who already show signs of following in their daddy’s footsteps.
Contact your school instructor to get started
