Ryan Lambotte Dr.h.c is the Chief Instructor, Chairman, and co-founder of Jersey Wado Ryu, and in March 2024, celebrated an extraordinary 37 years as a black belt. With three black belts in traditional Japanese Karate and holding the rank of 6th Dan (Roku Dan) in Wado Ryu, Ryan is recognised for his technical mastery, mentorship, and deep-rooted dedication to martial arts.
In 2025, Ryan was awarded the honorary doctorate (Dr.h.c) in Martial Arts from the International Institute of Martial Arts, Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism. This prestigious recognition honours Ryan’s lifelong commitment to the advancement of martial arts, his contributions to Martial Arts education, and his leadership in community empowerment.
Ryan’s journey began at just five years old, under the watchful eye of his Father, Ben. He began his Karate career in Jersey with Ken Yu Kai, training under local legend Sensei Doug Joseph (8th Dan) and Andy Bree (2nd Dan). In March 1988, two weeks after his 12th birthday, Ryan was graded to 1st Dan under Sensei Terry Pottage (9th Dan), and was believed to be the youngest full black belt in Britain at the time.
After years with Ken Yu Kai, Ryan was invited at age 17 to join Sensei Liam Ahearne (5th Dan) in founding a new club. This pivotal moment introduced Ryan to Sensei Peter Spanton (9th Dan), and marked the beginning of his enduring journey in Wado Ryu Karate. Uniquely, Ryan has achieved every grade in his martial arts career under the Chief Instructor of the association or style he trained with – a rare distinction reflecting a life of loyalty and technical excellence.
Today, Ryan holds his 6th Dan under Sensei Alan Flook (9th Dan) and serves as an Executive Board Member of the Western Karate Union (WKU). His name is synonymous with power, precision, and principle in the Channel Islands’ martial arts community. Frequently invited as a guest instructor both locally and internationally, Ryan is widely respected for his encyclopedic knowledge, practical application, and unwavering discipline.
In addition to his leadership at Jersey Wado Ryu, Ryan is the founder of the Jersey Karate Council (JKC)—a collaborative body of Chief Instructors from traditional Japanese Karate disciplines in Jersey. The Council was established to educate, collaborate, and empower students across the island through unified standards, shared values, and mutual respect.
In 2017, Ryan was honoured with the Sure Channel Islands “Humble Volunteer” Award, having been selected from over 10,000 nominations, recognising his selfless service and community impact.
A passionate advocate for women’s safety and empowerment, Ryan has led close protection and self-defence training for over 30 years, placing as much emphasis on awareness and prevention as on the physical aspects. He has provided one-on-one tuition, free of charge, to women recovering from sexual or physical assault—a cause he remains profoundly proud of.
Outside the dojo, Ryan is a devoted father to three daughters, and serves professionally as the Head of Financial Intermediaries at Investec Private Bank in the Channel Islands. He enjoys golf at La Moye Golf Club, and target shooting as a member of the Jersey Pistol Club.
A qualified Mental Health First Aider, Ryan also holds a Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. He is a vocal champion for mental health awareness, particularly advocating for open conversation among men.
Now in his 44th year of Karate, Ryan continues to lead Jersey Wado Ryu with humility, strength, and vision—ensuring that the legacy of martial arts thrives through both tradition and modern relevance.