Oliver McHugh Senior instructor of Dunleer & Monasterboice Dojo.

Oliver McHugh, Started his karate training in 1996 with Philip Smith Sensei, then part of Wado Kai in Ireland. During this time Oliver was very successful in competition karate and in 1997 he was placed second in the AIKW all Ireland. This spurred him on to concentrate more on his competition training.

Philip Smith Sensei wanted to continue to progress his Wado Karate, and joined WIKF in Ireland to train under Robert McGrath Sensei who's excellences in Wado Karate and his endeavor to teach Wado as taught to him by Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei is renowned in Irish Karate.

Oliver states that after moving to WIKF in Ireland his Wado Karate has vastly improved and he has grown more confident in himself, in both Kumite (fighting) and in Wado technique. He believes due to this, it has helped him to be placed twice runner up in the All Ireland WIKF Championships, and in 2003 he won a bronze medal at the WIKF European Championship.

Oliver achieved his Black belt first dan in April 2003 under the founder of WIKF Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei. Over the next four years he trained very hard, including traveling to Dublin to train in Shoshin Dojo, this all paid off in March 2007 with him passing his Second dan again under Suzuki sensei. In July 2010 at the UK Summer course he passed his Third Dan tested again by Suzuki Sensei.

The same year Oliver opened his first Karate club in Dunleer town, this club has over 30 students and has had great success in Junior competitions. In 2010 he opened a second club in Monasterboice and this club also is having a great success.

In 2008 Oliver was appointed WIKF in Ireland Senior Squad coach. He is training hard with the goal of grading for his third dan in 2010.