Born in 1955, Albie O'Connor-shihan began training in karate at the age of 16 and gained his shodan, first dan, in 1979. Six years later, O'Connor-shihan became the Chief Instructor of Sessen-Ryu Karate Kai, and in 1987 qualified as a weapons instructor with the Nippon Dai Budo Kai. As a qualified MAC Sports Council Coach for more than 15 years, and with a coaching award from BAWLA (British Amateur Weight Lifters' Association), O'Connor-shihan is a well qualified coach, as well as a highly experienced sensei; in 1989, O'Connor-shihan received an award for best instructor. Today, he is an NVQ Assessor, a member of the NCF (National Coaching Foundation) and a qualified first aid instructor. O'Connor-shihan has received numerous qualifications, positions and accolades from the Essex Fire Service, as a PTI and PEI, and as a fitness advisor and examiner. As a karate competitor, O'Connor-shihan was successful throughout the 70s and 80s, captaining winning teams and winning individual events in kumite, but particularly in kata. He also has experience competing in semi- and full-contact kickboxing. More recently, O'Connor-shihan has also been a successful weapons competitor, winning the BFA Weapons Kata in 1997. In the latter part of his illustrious competition career, O'Connor-shihan became a judge. Some years after starting to train in kobudo, O'Connor-shihan passed his shodan, first dan, in kobudo through the IOKA, and the following year, 1996, was awarded the position of shidouin, again by the IOKA, certifying him as a kobudo instructor and examiner. In 1998, O'Connor-shihan travelled to Japan to study kobudo and was awarded his sandan, third dan, by the IOKA in Kochi City, Japan. O'Connor-shihan is now a member of Pat McCarthy-kyoshi's International Ryukyu Karate Research Society. In 1997, O'Connor-shihan received the shogo (title) of shihan from the Sessen-Ryu Karate Kai. Over the next few years, O'Connor-shihan travelled extensively throughout Japan and Okinawa to further his training and research, studying under the likes of Kinjo-sensei kyudan, ninth dan. In reconition of his continued dedication to and research into the martial arts, O'Connor-shihan received his rokudan, sixth dan, in 1999, and his yondan, fourth dan, in kobudo from the BNMAA in 2003. To compliment his studies, O'Connor-shihan is also a member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society. During his martial arts studies, O'Connor-shihan has received tuition from: Higaonna-sensei, Takamizawa-sensei, Tomiyama-sensei, Shiomitsu-sensei, Nishiuchi-shihan, Bolz-shihan, Ingo de Jong-sensei, Pat McCarthy-kyoshi, Steve Rowe-sensei, Professor Bob Lawrence, Master Kam, Vic Charles-sensei, Professor Terry Parker, Professor Rick Clarke, Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace, Kevin Brewerton-sensei, Master Steve Morris-sensei, Geoff Thompson-sensei, Professor George Dillman, Goshi Yamaguchi-sensei and Jim McAllister-sensei, amongst others.