Instructor Profile - Dino Criticos

I was born and raised in South Africa and  I grew up in a little town in the Kwazulu Natal midlands called Greytown.

I attended Greytown High School from 1991- 1995 where I was awarded Honours in my final year for being selected as Head Prefect.  Rugby was our main sport at school; I played for my school's 1st Rugby Team for 3 years and in both 1994 and 1995 I was selected to play in the Natal Midlands rugby trials and captained my school's first team where we enjoyed a good season of rugby.

I believe that sport is vital to any youngsters' upbringing and that they should be encouraged to participate in a sport, which they enjoy. Sport was not only pleasurable to me but it taught me vital life skills like leadership, commitment and the rewards of working really hard at something you love.

I started travelling in 1997 visiting relatives in Cyprus and from there I developed a love for travelling and meeting new people, seeing different places and learning about different cultures. Shortly after arriving in London I met up with Sensei Debi again who was a good friend from South Africa. She encouraged me to start Karate training karate with her after moving down from North London to Kew village. I was one of Sensei Debi’s first students in the Kew dojo. I’m amazed that now I am one of nearly 500 students.

I was hooked on karate from the day I started and in 2001 I was asked by Sensei Debi to take on the role of learning to become a Pee-Wee Karate Instructor. I was her first UK instructor and worked for her for many years. I assisted her in building up the core of her Pee-Wee Karate. I realised then how important Pee-Wee Karate is for young children. She was the first instructor in the UK to cater separately for such young children. Now many other people have used her idea and mimic what they though she did so very well. I know from experience that what Sensei Debi does with Pee-Wee Karate is unique, not only in the concept but also her absolute passion for children and martial arts.

It took me (and sensei Debi) 3 years to prepare for my Shodan grading under Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi, which was by far is the most rewarding sporting experience in my life. I am now working towards my next goal, which is my second dan black belt.

I left Pee-Wee Karate for a few years due to personal reasons and returned to South Africa.

So was my belief in her and in Pee-Wee Karate that I have now opened the first
Pee-Wee Karate FRANCHISE in North London. Together we shall instill a love of karate and teach the importance of respect and discipline to thousands of new Pee-Wee Karate students in the years to come. 

Sensei Dino Criticos

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