Head Instructor · 5th Dan Black Belt
Aaron Milan-Vega
Founder and head instructor of Newcastle Goju-Ryu Karate Academy, teaching in Newcastle since 2006.
Profile
About Sensei
Professional
- Business owner, computing professional & investor.
- BSc (Hons) in Multimedia & Digital Entertainment Computing.
- Internationally recognised 5th Dan black belt.
- Enhanced DBS checked.
Karate
- Rank: 5th Dan / Godan (black belt).
- Training since: 1993.
- Grades: 1st Dan (2004, IKGA), 2nd Dan (2006, IKGA), 3rd Dan (2013, Seiwakai), 4th Dan (2017, Seiwakai), 5th Dan (2024, GKC Global).
The journey
Karate timeline
- 1988
Born in Essex, England.
- 1993
Started Yamaguchi Goju-Kai Karate (IKGA) in Essex.
- 2004
Passed 1st Dan under the IKGA.
- 2006
Passed 2nd Dan under the IKGA.
Moved to Newcastle upon Tyne for university.
Opened the karate club in Newcastle.
- 2010
Achieved a BSc (Hons) in Multimedia & Digital Entertainment Computing.
Left Yamaguchi Goju-Kai (IKGA) after relocating permanently to Newcastle.
Joined Okami Martial Arts.
- 2013
Joined Seiwakai International & JKF Gojukai.
Passed 3rd Dan under Seiwakai.
Organised and held our first open tournament, with nearly 150 competitors.
- 2015
Left Okami Martial Arts due to the distance between instructors.
- 2016
Celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the academy.
- 2017
Passed 4th Dan under Seiwakai.
- 2018
Visited Japan to train and attend the memorial for Lipinski Shihan.
- 2019
Joined GKC Global.
- 2020
Opened full-time dojo premises during the pandemic.
- 2022
Travelled to California to train with GKC Global.
- 2023
Hosted a GKC Global seminar at our dojo.
Started the GKC College programme.
- 2024
Left Seiwakai & JKF Gojukai following the death of Lipinski Sensei.
Travelled to California for the first GKC Global Gasshuku.
Passed 5th Dan under GKC Global.