Richard was born in Stoke-on-Trent and lived in the Tunstall area all his life. His best friends were twins and they told him about this Ju Jitsu club they had started going to. Wanting to get in on the action, he went to a club in Clough Hall and loved every moment of it. The training was hard and the instructors somewhat ‘old school’ but the effectiveness of the techniques shown were awe inspiring.

Soon after joining the club, he started training a second evening in the church hall at Kidsgrove. Unfortunately, these clubs ceased training and so Richard started at the Ju Jitsu Academy in Biddulph (CKK Bu-Jitsu Kai). Throughout his teens, Richard would train under Sensei Billy Frickleton and Phil Blackburn in Biddulph, between the many other interests he had. One of which was the Sea Cadets which later led to joining the Armed Forces at 18. He served in the Royal Navy, for over 16 years.

During which time, he was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to the Type 45 Propulsion Systems.

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Are you interested in learning martial arts? Master the art of Traditional Japanese Ju Jitsu. It brings benefits such as self-discipline, self-esteem and self-defence like no other. With our Adult Martial Arts Classes in Stoke-On-Trent, Five Towns Jujitsu, combine fitness exercises with traditional Japanese martial arts to provide a rigorous fighting system. Students are welcome from all around the globe with any level of fitness. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an experienced martial arts practitioner, try our free demo sessions to learn more about this amazing fighting system under the direct supervision of our seasoned instructor, Sensei Richard Stecko MBE. Develop strength, focus, and learn self-defence in a safe and friendly environment.

Meet your extraordinary Sensei 先生, Richard Stecko, whose training has already helped many people discover the true beauty of martial arts. For him, martial arts go far beyond learning some defensive moves a couple of times a week. It is a way of life. Richard trained under Sensei Billy Frickleton and Phil Blackburn in Biddulph throughout his adolescence. He spent over 16 years in the Royal Navy, during which time he was fortunate to become one of Prof. Martin Rogers students. It is his legacy that Richard continues to teach to this day. Wishing to give back to martial arts some of what he has taken from it, led Richard to open his own martial arts training centre in Stoke-On-Trent. A young club with a very successful start and promising outlook for the future.