Shane first set foot in a Dojo (martial arts training centre) when he was just 8 years old and this was to be the start of a life-long virtual obsession with the martial arts. He has come to appreciate the many facets of the martial arts that have since become a way of life (Japenese: Budo). In recent years, he has worked tirelessly to promote Budo and his views concerning the martial arts are widely available on the web. Shane’s work in publishing material available on the world wide web and his entire approach to his own training are indicitive of his dedication to the martial arts.

In 1998, Shane relocated to Germany and it was here that he was, at long last, fortunate enough to find a school, system and trainer with which he was truly satisfied. After a lifetime of searching and not quite finding what he was looking for, he began training under Charley Herwig (3. Dan Kyokushin Karate, 3. Dan Kyokushin Budokai) early in 2004. Finally, he was able to study and practise full contact striking, takedowns, grappling and submissions (Kyokushin Karate, Judo and Jiu Jitsu) and these arts combined as one complete all round fighting system (Kyokushin Budokai). It’s fair to say that he took to full contact mixed martial arts “like a duck to water”.

Kyokushin Budokai is a system that combines (at the fundamental level) the techniques and syllabus of Kyokushin Karate and Judo. Three of the grades awarded to Shane as both a practitioner of Kyokushin Karate and Kyokushin Budokai (All Round Fighting) were received directly from Jon Bluming (President of the International Budokai, 10. Dan Kyokushin, 9. Dan Kodokan Judo). After just 18 months of full contact training his Sensei (Charley Herwig) and Kancho Jon Bluming approved Shane’s application to participate in the infamous Kyokushin 30. Man Kumite (one of the pre-requisites for a Kyokushin Budokai black belt).

Shane’s training was interupted due to his relocation to Ireland in August, 2005. At this time, Kancho Jon Bluming of the International Budokai authorised Shane to promote Kyokushin Budokai (All Round Fighting) in Ireland and appointed him as IBK Branch Chief of Ireland. At just 31 years of age, this is a tremendous honour and is testimony to his dedication to All Round Fighting, to Budo as a way of life and his knowledge of the martial arts and the fighting system created by Kancho Jon Bluming.

Shane is active as a professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter in Ireland and Europe, and serves as a referee, judge and competitor of the Ultimate Fighting Revolution. He is currently ranked 1. Dan Judo, 2. Dan Kyokushin, 2. Dan Kyokushin Budokai (All Round Fighting), 2. Dan Ronin All Round Fighting and 3. Dan Sensei of the Sei Budokai (assoc. World Martial Arts Association).

In August 2007, Shane completed the infamous “50 Man Kumite” (Full Story). This is a test of skill and endurance usually reserved for 4. Dan Black Belts. Despite this, Shane chose to participate whilst still a 1. Dan Black Belt.  The kumite involves 50 bareknuckle rounds of two minutes, allowing full contact strikes to all targets, against 50 fresh fighters with no rest periods. The event was held in Croatia, under the mid-day sun, with temperatures exceeding 38 degrees and was hosted (and validated) by K-1 Grand Prix World Champion, Shihan Semmy Schilt. Having witnessed Shane’s achievements and figthing spirit on that day, respected fighters and coaches throughout the world began to refer to him as “The Suburban Samurai”.

If you would like learn more about Shane, please vist www.kyokushinbudokai.org and take a look at Shane’s Budo Diary. There you will also find his complete book describing the Budokai system. It’s free of charge and available for download on the site.