Two highly respected traditional Ju-Jitsu senseis, Steve Boughton and Ian Charlson have been awarded their 5th and 6th Dan grades, marking a major milestone in careers that span more than three decades of dedication to martial arts, coaching, and community development.
Steve and Ian are the founders of Kokoro Ju-Jitsu, who are based at Lowton Community Hub, and run classes for both Adults (14+) and Juniors (6-16).
The new belts recognise their exceptional sporting ability, teaching experience, leadership, community engagement, and long-standing participation at the highest level of traditional and sport Ju-Jitsu. Alongside their own training and achievements, both senseis have balanced running a successful club with full-time careers, sacrificing countless evenings to pass on their knowledge to young athletes, adults, and the next generation of martial artists.
Ian began his martial arts journey in 1988, falling in love with the discipline, fitness, and self-defence elements of Ju-Jitsu. He trained under the guidance of Professor John Royle and Professor Pete Royle, earning his black belt in 1993. He continued to train and teach at Leigh and Westhoughton Ju-Jitsu Club — a responsibility he has carried with pride and commitment until he launched Kokoro Ju-Jitsu alongside Steve in 2017.
Ian said: “Ju-Jitsu has shaped who I am, both on and off the mat. What started as a love for training and self-defence turned into a lifelong responsibility to teach, lead, and give others the same opportunities I was given. Receiving this grade is incredibly humbling, and it reflects not just my journey, but the students, instructors, and community that have supported me along the way.”
Steve’s martial arts career spans 33 years, having started training at just seven years old. His lifelong passion for Ju-Jitsu led him into competitive sport Ju-Jitsu, where he became a multi-medal holder and proudly represented his county, including competing at the WCJJO Championships in Las Vegas in 2010. Alongside competition success, Steve has remained deeply committed to coaching and developing students of all ages.
Steve said: “I’ve been fortunate to grow up in Ju-Jitsu — it’s taught me discipline, resilience, and respect. Coaching and seeing students gain confidence, skills, and self-belief has always been the most rewarding part. This grade represents years of hard work, but also the countless hours shared on the mat with students and fellow instructors.”
In 2017, Ian and Steve founded Kokoro Ju-Jitsu Club, a non-for-profit community organisation open to everyone. The club offers junior and adult classes, as well as regular women’s self-defence courses, and has quickly become a valued part of the local martial arts community. This year marks another milestone, as the club prepares to see its first Kokoro Ju-Jitsu students achieve their black belts.
Committed to giving back, the senseis have also planned multiple seminars for the wider martial arts community, including their second traditional Japanese weapons seminar and an upcoming traditional Ju-Jitsu seminar.
Their latest Dan promotions stand as a testament not only to technical excellence, but to decades of leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to preserving and growing traditional Ju-Jitsu for future generations.
Congratulations to both Steve and Dan on this achievement!