Where we originated from

Our martial arts school, J K Martial Arts, was founded in June 2006 by Liam Gratty with a student-centric approach. The school was created with the goal of promoting martial arts as a means to achieve physical and mental wellbeing, and instilling values like respect and discipline into its curriculum and daily practices.

In 2020, Dean Howard, a long-term student of Liam’s, took ownership of the club, continuing the same ideology. Our focus has always been on creating a respectful and disciplined environment in our classes, where students treat each other with respect and show discipline in their practice. As we enter 2023, we are proud to have reached a milestone of teaching over 100 students a week across all of our Karate and Kickboxing classes.

At J K Martial Arts, we believe in providing a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can learn and grow together, regardless of age or skill level. Our name, Jiyu Kai Martial Arts, reflects this approach. Jiyu means ‘freedom to act according to one’s own thoughts, without restriction’, We want you to be free to discover and develop your own unique style. Kai means ‘restoration’, reflecting our approach of blending various styles to create a modern form of self-defense while staying true to martial arts’ traditions and values.