Cassandra Backus, 2nd Dan

Cassandra also began her DKK training in 1997 in the Bristol club under Sensei Dan Lewis before moving to London in 2000. She came from a background of ballet and ballroom dancing and decided to try something different at university.

"During my Kyu grades, I regarded karate as another skill to learn; another choreography to master. It was a new physical challenge. However, I became more experienced, I began to regard karate as a form of meditation, to be able to empty my mind of everything other than what my body was doing. This developed into an avid interest of the biomechanics of karate, and with Goju Ryu, so many aspects of martial arts are incorporated that there's no end of material to practise, study and eventually understand."

Cassandra was awarded Shodan-Ho in 2005. She converted to full Shodan one year later and completed her 30 Man Kumite and Nidan grading in 2009.

Yondan 4th Dan

Sandan 3rd Dan

Nidan 2nd Dan

Shodan 1st Dan