Sensei Graham McCann (5th Dan) ~ Profile

In August 1974,as an enthusiastic eight year old, Graham followed in his father's footsteps and joined the world famous Kobe Osaka Karate-Do Renmei.  It was there that Graham was introduced to Shukokai Karate, training under the guidance and support of Shihan Tommy Morris (8th Dan), Scotland's first karate black belt and often referred to as "the father of Scottish Karate".  Whilst at the Kobe Osaka, Graham had the pleasure of training and grading with Sensei Shigeru Kimura during his regular visits to Glasgow in the 1970's and 1980's.

Whilst at the Kobe Osaka, Graham also had the opportunity to train with a number of Scotland's top instructors and karate-ka of the day; Davie McLellan, Bobby Ure, Davie Coulter, Jim Taggart, Jim Harvey, John McArdle, Archie Grassom, Brian Docherty, Jim "Dusty" Miller and Gordon Kearney to name but a few.

Graham was promoted to Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) by Shihan Morris in June 1982 when he was 15 years old.  At the time, apart from Shihan Morris's son Steven, Graham was the youngest member of the Kobe Osaka ever to be promoted to black belt.
The roots of the Shukokai Karate practiced and taught by Graham at the Kugatsu Karate-Do can be traced directly back to the Kobe Osaka Karate-Do Renmei.  Graham continued to train at the Kobe Osaka until the end of 1988.

After a short break, mainly as a result of injury, Graham resumed his karate career when he joined the Tosa-Kochi Karate-Do, a Shukokai association lead by a former Kobe Osaka member, Sensei Robert Lamb.  It was during Graham's time at the Tosa-Kochi that Sensei lamb encourage Graham to open his own club.  For the majority of his time at the Tosa-Kochi, Graham was the association's Kata Coach.  Graham remained a member of the Tosa-Kochi until 1996. From 1996 to March 2009, Graham and the Kugatsu Karate-Do were members of the British All Styles Karate Association, a multi-style karate association headed up by Shihan Greg Wallace (8th Dan). From March 2009 to date, Graham and the Kugatsu Karate-Do have been members of the Karate Kai Scotland; Graham is currently the chairperson of Karate Kai Scotland.

Dan grading history

Shodan (1st Dan) awarded in 1982 by the Kobe Osaka Karate-Do Renmei (Shihan Tommy Morris ~ 8th Dan)

Nidan (2nd Dan) awarded in 1993 by the Tosa-Kochi Karate-Do (Sensei Robert Lamb ~ 5th Dan)

Sandan (3rd Dan) awarded in 1996 by the British All Styles Karate Association (Shihan Greg Wallace ~ 8th Dan et al)

Yondan (4th Dan) awarded in 2002 by the British All Styles Karate Association (Shihan Greg Wallace ~ 8th Dan et al)

Godan (5th Dan) awarded in 2008 by the British All Styles Karate Association (Shihan Greg Wallace ~ 8th Dan et al)

Godan (5th Dan) ratified by Shuko-Kai Internation (Miyake Sensei ~ 8th Dan) on 5th March 2011

Qualifications

Graham is a Scottish Karate Governing Body (SKGB) Level 3 Coach, in order to achieve this Graham had to obtain the following;

~    Sports Coach UK course - "Coaching Children and Young People"
~    Sports Coach UK course - "Child Protection"
~    Sports Coach UK course - "Fitness and Training"
~    Sports Coach UK course - "Fuelling Performers"
~    British Red Cross Emergency First Aid Course (Karate Specific)
~    £5m professional indemnity insurance (arranged via obtaining full membership of Sports Coach UK)
~    SKGB ratified 5th Dan Shukokai Karate
~    Enhanced Disclosure Check arranged via the SKGB and Disclosure Scotland (valid for two yeas)

He is also an British Karate Federation (BKF) Kumite Referee and Kata Judge

Graham is a qualified Social Worker (Diploma in Social Work) and currently works as Assistant Direction at the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care based at the University of Strathclyde.

Other relevant information

Throughout Graham's karate career he has had the opportunity and pleasure to train with some of the top instructors in the U.K. and on occasion in the World.  The main ones being;

-    Master Tani, Sensei Kimura, Yamada Sensei, Miyake Sensei, Sensei Kamohara, Sensei Tomiyama and Sensei Omi
-    Shihan Tommy Morris and Shihan Greg Wallace
-    Sensei John Horan, Sensei R0bert Lamb, Sensei Harry Cook, and Sensei Mick Bazylewycz
-    On the 3rd December 2005, Graham was awarded the fist ever FELLOWSHIP of the British Institute of Karate Organisation.

Graham (1974)

One of the highlights of Graham's karate career - success at the SKGB National Kata Championships for his son and daughter.

Malta 4 Nations Veteren's Kata Champion 2008