Simms Martial Arts Academy was officially created in 2013 by Leigh Simms 3rd Dan EKF & 1st Dan BCA.
Leigh began training in 1999 as a 9 year old child and was taught by Sensei Mike Judd 4th Dan EKF. Leigh went on to achieve his first dan grade at the age of 14 with the Midland Shotokan Karate Federation (MSKF). Leigh continued to grade with the MSKF, attaining his second dan in 2006 and finally his third dan in 2010. After this Leigh went on to train in a number of different Karate and Martial Art styles as well as attending many seminars.
Having had regular success on the competition scene, Leigh was introduced to the work of Sensei Iain Abernethy 6th Dan, BCA, BCKA, BKA & EKF who is a world renound martial artist and author of many best selling karate books and dvds. Leigh and his instructor attended many of Sensei Abernethy's seminars throughout 2007 - 2011. In October 2011, Leigh attained full instructorship with Iain Abernethy and a first dan in Iain's own syllabus (Abernethy Jissen Karate).
In 2012, Leigh continued his evolution as a Martial Artist as he formulated his own Karate syllabus (Shoto Jissen Karate-do) and became a writer for the Martial Arts Pulse magazine. Later on in the year Leigh performed at the Martial Arts Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
In 2013, Leigh along side Sensei Mike Judd joined the British Combat Karate Association. From there they have both been certified as registered instructors with the BCKA and have had their respective syllabus approved by Peter Consterdine 9th Dan and Geoff Thompson 8th Dan.
Leigh also graduated from both Keele University and the University of Law, where he studied the Law of Self-Defence.
Having had success teaching karate classes, Leigh taught many seminars on Karate and Self-Defence. Leigh also began to take on private students whom all had different training objectives. Simms Martial Arts Academy was created to bring together all these different services to one place.
