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ABOUT SHIHAN ROGERS
The Zen Ha Kenpo Jujitsu GroupShihan Martin Rogers' management, expertise and professionalism has earned him the position of executive director of the Zen Ha Kenpo Ryu Jujitsu Association. The Z.H.K.R.J.J. is an active non-political martial arts organisation with affiliated schools across the UK. His senior grades affectionately call Shihan Rogers' personal six dojos the "Tigers Lair", due to the intensity of training there. Plus they have a reputation of being hard working Dojos; producing top-quality black belts. The "Tiger's Lair dojos" are home, at present, to the 2 top Heavyweight Jujitsukas in the UK; trained by Shihan Rogers. Shihan Rogers' AchievementsHis many achievements include:
The History of Martin RogersMartin's martial arts career now spans almost 48 years. It began way back in the early 60's at the age of 5 yrs; his sensei was a great man by the name of William Heffer (8th Dan). He was a fantastic instructor/coach and a sensei in every sense of the word. Martin used to love listening to his great stories, as there was always some philosophical meaning in them. O sensei's instructor was Kenshiro Abbe (8th Dan). Martin trained with Sensei Heffer in Judo & Jujitsu for 10 yrs to the age of 15, when he then joined the Army Parachute Regiment. It was the skills in Judo that Martin had learnt from Sensei Heffer that got him his place in the regiment judo team. Martin's coach, at this time, was the current British army Heavyweight Judo Champion and the army team coach. He was also training at a permanent dojo in Frimley in the evenings and was also sent to train at the great Renshuden dojo in London; where he trained with the great Dave Starbrook, British Olympic Medallist and other England Judo Internationalist. Martin also had the opportunity at this time to train with a visiting Japanese judo team at Crystal Palace; he had now fought his way into the finals of the British Army Judo Championships. It was also at this time he started to learn Boxing, he wanted to develop his hand skills. He continued with his boxing for 6 years and was his unit's heavyweight for 6 consecutive years. Martin also represented his unit in Athletics, competing in discus (180ft), shot-put (56ft), javelin (150ft) and 100m sprint (11s). During his time in the army, Martin always found somewhere to continue his training in the martial arts. He found a club in Celle Germany and there was also a judo instructor in the unit he was attached to. When stationed in Dover he trained with a local club; the Bushido Za Zen. When in the Sovereign base area in Cyprus, an army instructor ran a club in the gym, so Martin would train with him. Whilst serving in the Far-east, Martin used to train in the dinner hour; there was Martin (Judo & Jujitsu, but by now with some experience in Karate & Aikido) and two other guys who were dan grades in judo & karate. They all trained with each other to keep their skills fine tuned. Martin had also, during his time in the forces, taught hand to hand combat and carried out bodyguard duties for members of state and MPs. On Leaving the forces, Martin returned to his old instructor sensei Bill Heffer. Unfortunately after some time Sensei Heffer became ill. Martin then trained with Sensei Heffer's son and graded to a dan grade in the style of Kenpo Jujitsu he had developed. Things were not the same without Sensei Bill and Martin felt it was time for him to move on. Martin found Soke Brian Dosset (10th Dan), and trained with him for a while and continued to grade with him. After this, Martin found Prof. Terry Parker and moved to the Jikishin Jujitsu Association; Prof. Parker became his Sensei. After a few years here, he again moved on (something he regrets to this day; he should have stayed)! He then went to the World Kobudo Federation (WKF) under Soke Richard Morris & Soke Brian Cheek. Here, Martin obtained his 7th dan; graded By Soke Morris (9th dan), Soke Cheek (9th dan) and Canadian Kyoshi John Therien (8th dan). Here Martin made a bid and entered his last competition; he trained with the World Kobudo Federation Grappling team and made it into the team at the age of 43years; even whilst suffering from a spinal and two knee injuries he obtained from serving in the army. Whilst with the WKF, Martin was invited to teach and represent the UK on two major world martial arts conventions. Martin enjoyed his time with the World Kobudo Federation, but something was still missing and again moved on in search of what he was looking for. For a few years the Zen Ha Kenpo Ryu Jujitsu, the Style That Martin Had Now Developed, drifted on their own. Still going from strength to strength, and making many friends along the way, the Zen Ha Kenpo Ryu is constantly growing and developing with a mission to provide the best jujitsu instruction the world has to offer! Martin has taught on many seminars in the UK and abroad; invited twice to teach at the USA's black belt hall of fame. During this time, Zen Ha Kenpo was registered in Okinawa (Japan), with the Matsusokan Shorin-Ryu and Martin was the registered founder of the system. Martin had now trained with many great instructors from all around the world and his continued interest in pressure point science and fighting led him to meet Grandmaster Rick Moneymaker and Tom Muncy of the Dragon Society; whom affirmed Martin's theories and awarded him 7th dan grade in it along with 5 element theory. Martin is still, to this day, researching this fascinating area of martial arts. The Zen Ha Kenpo Ryu had now been on its own for some time and Martin had been continually looking for a permanent home for his association. By chance, and old friend and former instructor invited Martin and his wife Sharon to his 65th birthday. Martin's friend and sensei Prof. Terry Parker and his wife Janet were also there. After talking to Prof. Terry Parker, Martin had realised that it was time to take the association back to the Official governing body, the BJJA (GB). Welcomed back with open arms, the association attended the first BJJA Southend on sea course and it was like they'd never left. Martin's 7th dan grade was ratified by the BJJA board and Martin then went on to become a Senior coach and board member himself. Admitting that the association should've stayed with the BJJA, Martin believes that the journey that was taken was necessary to find out what the group was all about. Undoubtedly, the masters & instructors met along the way had a crucial influence on making the association what they are today. The association has met, trained and shared ideas with some great people, characters and instructors on its journey and made many friends. |
Shihan Martin Rogers is one of the best known and highly respected teachers in the
martial arts world today. He is in constant demand to teach seminars in Canada,
America, across Europe and around the globe. He is the chief instructor of the Solent
Martial Arts Academies organisation; one of the Portsmouth area's largest and most
successful group of martial arts schools. He has personally licensed and graduated
more than 550 black belts and heads instruction for more than 2000 active members
in the Zen Ha Kenpo Ryu Jujitsu system. His vast knowledge of Jujitsu and teaching
skills has earned him a reputation as one of the best instructors in his field,
but Martin still considers himself a student of martial arts and has trained with
many masters around the world seeking out more knowledge to pass on to instructors
and students in his schools; keeping them at the top of the tree.