I’m Diane Wheeler and I’ve been studying American Kenpo for over 35 years. I am from Cornwall, UK, but began Kenpo training in Plymouth, UK. I continued my training in Jersey, Channel Isles, UK then moved to London, UK. Here I managed my own South London Kenpo club for over 25 years until 2021, when it closed due to the wider effects of COVID-19. However, it was a new beginning as I was able to commit more time to my own training and attend more seminars than I’d done previously. For example, this year I will be attending the 60th IKC in Pasadena, California, and teaching in Jersey, Channel Isles in July.
I was tested to 1st Degree Black Belt in Jersey, UK in the 1980s by Mr Larry Tatum, Mr Roy McDonald, Mr Graham Lelliott and Mr Rainer Schulte. I left for London and continued to train, test, and manage the Kenpo club. In 1999 I tested to 4th Degree, in 2006 to 5th Degree, and in 2015 tested to 6th Degree. I was recommended by Master John Ward to test for 7th Degree in 2021, and although grateful for the opportunity, decided it was not the right time for me.
Kenpo is a huge part of my life, but I’m also a huge football fan, supporting the Lionesses (England Women’s Team), Men’s Premier Football League, and love the Olympic Games, supporting Team GB and Northern Ireland Olympians. I can’t really express what they all mean to me, so won’t even try.
Professionally, I have worked in Government for over 30 years, including as policy advisor to Government ministers, trade union official representing court staff, investigator for complaints about the judiciary, and currently investigator for deaths in prisons, youth custody, immigration detention, or where individuals have died within 2 weeks of release from prison.