Thomas McKinnon
Shihan & Chief Instructor

 

International Martial Arts Specialist

Thomas McKinnon is a former British Parachute Regiment soldier, and a multi-accredited international Martial Arts Specialist with almost 60 years experience: Boxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Bushido, Muay Thai and Close Quarter Combat; also, self-defence instructor to the security industry for twenty-five years.

In high-risk security, he was an international Close Personal Protection Operative (CPPO or Bodyguard) for twenty five years, with a client list that included European Royalty and a United States President.

​

Current Objectives

“I have combined my life’s martial experience with my philosophical understanding for the need of a Peaceful co-existence in an increasingly aggressive society.

I have developed a way of training that strengthens, and helps to prepare you for the worst situations in life, while creating a quiet confidence within, which helps to smooth your path, assisting you to live a balanced, healthy and value filled life.

Torakan (School of the Tiger) is my way of training: a traditional, classical Karate, but with an understanding of the shortfalls of that art in the cold, hard reality of today’s world, and combined with a loving philosophy.”

​

Experience
Close Quarter and unarmed combat, and crowd control (restrain and control techniques) instructor for the security industry.
- E.C.P. Services.
- Lane Cove Security Pty Ltd.
- Executive Bodyguards Sydney.
- Toraguard Security Pty Ltd.
- St Mary’s Rugbby League’s Club.
- Mt Druitt Workers Club.

Self-Defence Instructor
- Government and private schools throughout NSW & Tasmania.
- Designed and developed a Women’s Self-defence System and produced an instructional video.
 

​

Alan Carroll
Devonport Dojo Sensei

 

Sensei Alan is a 2nd Dan Black Belt, trained by Sensei Anthony and Shihan Thomas.

​

 

​

 

Qualifications

 

KUA 2nd Dan Black Belt: Torakan Karate

​

Anthony Shearer
Senior Instructor & Technical Advisor

 

Sensei Anthony has over 30 years of martial arts training, including Judo, Ninjitsu, F.I.S.T freestyle sparing, Muay Thai, and Shotokan Karate. Sensei Thomas privately trained Sensei Anthony one-on-one in Muay Thai kick boxing (3 years) and Shotokan Karate (4 years).

Sensei Anthony opened the Devonport Torakan Karate Dojo in 2011, passing it onto Sensei Alan in 2020.

​

 

​

 

Qualifications

 

3rd Dan Black Belt:
Karate Union of Australia
3 years Muay Thai
3rd kyu Ninjitsu
7th kyu Judo

Nell (Eleanor) Hodgkinson
Devonport Dojo Sensei - Tiger Cubs

 

Sensei Nell trains our Tiger Cubs in our kids class ans she is an excellent and nurturing instructor.

Nell is a 2nd Dan Black Belt and currently on the National Karate Squad, and competes for Torakan and Tasmania at national levels where she has become a dual state champion in her age group.  Nell will be grading for her 2nd Dan Black Belt later this year.

Nell specialises in the development of beginners karate.

​

 

​

 

Qualifications

​

KUA 2nd Dan Black Belt: Torakan Karate

​

Tyler Jones
Devonport Dojo Sensei - Tiger Cubs

 

Sensei Tyler is a 2nd Dan Black Belt, trained by Sensei Anthony and Shihan Thomas.  He has been doing martial arts for over 13 years, the last 7 with Torakan Karate.

Tyler has begun to expand his knowledge exploring weapons training.

 

Qualifications

​

KUA 2nd Dan Black Belt: Torakan Karate

​

Qualifications

​

KUA 1st Dan Black Belt: Torakan Kartate

​

Kelly Berggren
Media & Public Relations Officer

 

Kelly is a 1st Dan Black Belt, trained by Sensei Anthony and Shihan Thomas.  She started training about 8 years ago instead of just watching her then 6yo daughter participate. :D

Kelly looks after our website and media needs.

 

Qualifications

​

KUA 1st Dan Black Belt: Torakan Karate

​