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Rochdale teen earns prestigious Dojo Instructor title after completing coaching programme

Wednesday, 14 January 2026 19:45

By David Murphy

A dedicated Rochdale teenager has officially qualified as a karate instructor after completing an intensive coaching programme, earning the title of Sensei.

Diya, a student at the Dojo Karate Centre, was presented with her Dojo Instructor Certificate during a recent coaching seminar. The rare qualification is usually valued at around £7,000 but was awarded free of charge following Diya’s full completion of the centre’s in-house training scheme.

Her success comes after months of rigorous assessments and coursework, including first aid training, safeguarding certification, risk assessment evaluations, and situational-based teaching tests. The programme is designed to prepare young coaches for real-world teaching scenarios, with a strong emphasis on communication, health and safety, and inclusive instruction.

Hanshi Irfan Ansari, lead instructor at the Dojo Karate Centre, praised Diya’s commitment to excellence.

“Diya’s approach is outstanding. She’s organised, focused, and has a natural talent for coaching both younger and older members,” he said. “Her ability to adapt her communication style, offer praise, and build strong bonds with students shows maturity and dedication. I’m very proud of her.”

Diya’s achievement has also been warmly celebrated by her parents, who supported her journey throughout the process. They were credited by Hanshi Ansari for recognising the value of the coaching programme and helping her stay the course.

The Dojo Karate Centre’s coaching programme is open to a small number of candidates each year. It aims to create the next generation of martial arts instructors by combining technical training with teaching practice and pastoral care responsibilities.

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