For six decades, the International Budo Federation (IBF) has brought together martial artists, instructors, clubs and organisations from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds. We are a not-for-profit, multi-style martial arts organisation, dedicated to supporting and promoting martial arts while preserving the traditions and values of respect, discipline, friendship and mutual understanding. The IBF welcomes martial artists of all styles, systems and associations. Whether you are an individual practitioner, an instructor, an established club or a larger martial arts organisation, you are welcome to become part of our friendly and growing martial arts community. We believe martial arts should bring people together. Our aim is to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where knowledge can be shared, friendships can develop and martial artists can continue to grow.
Joining the IBF does not mean giving up your identity, changing the way you teach or replacing your existing training system. Your club remains your club. Your style remains your style. The IBF provides a wider martial arts community and international umbrella under which members can train, develop, exchange knowledge and participate while retaining the individuality and traditions that make their martial art unique. From individual practitioners to established clubs and organisations, our members are encouraged to share ideas, concepts and techniques and to learn from the experience of martial artists from different disciplines and backgrounds. The IBF has an international presence spanning numerous countries and a long history of encouraging participation, friendship and opportunity across the martial arts community.
Already earned your martial arts grade elsewhere? Joining the IBF doesn't automatically mean starting again. Where a martial artist holds a legitimate grade supported by genuine, verifiable certification, their existing grade can be submitted for consideration and recognition by the IBF International governing body. This allows experienced martial artists and instructors joining from other reputable organisations to have their previous achievements considered for recognition rather than disregarded simply because they were earned outside the IBF. All grade recognition is subject to appropriate verification and IBF requirements, helping to protect the integrity and credibility of the grades we recognise. Our wider goal is to support the continued development of martial arts through the free exchange of knowledge, ideas, concepts and techniques, while giving members opportunities to train, learn and develop alongside other martial artists.
With six decades of martial arts history behind us, the International Budo Federation continues to look towards the future and welcomes the next generation of martial artists, instructors and clubs. Whether you are taking your first steps in martial arts, have trained for many years, teach your own students, run an established club or have developed your own martial arts system, we would be delighted to hear from you. The IBF is not-for-profit and non-political. Our focus is martial arts, friendship, development and providing a community in which different styles and traditions can exist alongside one another with mutual respect. Bring your experience. Bring your traditions. Bring your identity. You don't have to change what makes your martial art yours to become part of something bigger. Join the International Budo Federation (UK) Limited and become part of a martial arts community built on tradition, friendship, respect and development.
It is both an honour and a privilege to serve as President of the International Budo Federation Great Britain and as a Director of The International Budo Federation (UK) Limited. Martial arts have been a part of my life for over 55 years. I began training in Judo at the age of six and, throughout my life, I have had the privilege of studying Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Aikido, Karate and other martial disciplines under some exceptional instructors. Those experiences have shaped not only the martial artist and instructor I have become, but also my belief in what a martial arts organisation should represent. The greatest influence on my martial arts journey was my father, Professor Tom Starling, 8th Dan Ju-Jitsu, 1st Dan Judo and 1st Dan Shotokan Karate. From my earliest days in martial arts until his passing in January 2026, he was my teacher, mentor and guide. His passion for martial arts, together with the knowledge and opportunities he shared with me, continues to influence everything I teach today. I was also fortunate to train under Sensei Vince Williams, a 4th Dan Judo practitioner affiliated with both the British Judo Council and the International Budo Federation, whose knowledge of the Kano syllabus and Kodokan Judo kata was exceptional. I studied Aikido under Sensei Jeff Abbott and developed my understanding of Karate through my father and Sensei John Tripp. Over the years, I have had opportunities to train and exchange knowledge with many highly respected martial artists from a variety of disciplines. These experiences are one of the reasons I believe so strongly in the ethos of the IBF. Martial arts should be about learning, friendship, respect and the free exchange of genuine knowledge. Different styles, systems and traditions should be able to come together without losing the individuality that makes each of them unique. The IBF has long been at the forefront of inclusivity and friendship within martial arts. We are a not-for-profit and non-political organisation, welcoming individual martial artists, instructors, clubs and organisations from a wide variety of martial arts backgrounds. If you already run a club or teach an established martial arts system, joining the IBF does not mean that you have to abandon what you have built. Your club can retain its own identity, teaching methods and syllabus. We want our members to contribute to the wider martial arts community while continuing to preserve the traditions and systems that are important to them. We also understand that experienced martial artists may come to the IBF having already spent many years training and achieving legitimate grades elsewhere. Where appropriate documentary evidence and verifiable certification can be provided, existing martial arts grades may be submitted for consideration and recognition through the International Budo Federation. Maintaining proper standards and protecting the credibility of martial arts grades is extremely important to us. My own Kano Jiu-Jitsu syllabus, now in its Third Revised Edition, is used by International Budo Federation students and martial artists around the world. It represents knowledge gathered throughout a lifetime in martial arts and reflects the standards, principles and values passed on to me by my father and the many instructors from whom I have been fortunate enough to learn. I remain extremely grateful to the President of the International Budo Federation, Mr. F. G. Niering; IBF Chief Technical Officer, Mr. Uwe Kampeter; IBF Ambassador and my good friend, Mr. Sven Kohlstedde; and the many instructors, students, colleagues and friends who continue to support the IBF and everything we are working to achieve. If you are considering becoming part of the International Budo Federation, whether as an individual martial artist, instructor, club or organisation, I warmly invite you to contact us and discover what membership of the IBF can offer you. Whatever your style and wherever you are on your martial arts journey, you will be welcomed with friendship and respect.
Whether you are looking to join the International Budo Federation, find a martial arts club, learn more about our experienced instructors or attend one of our seminars and events, you can find everything you need to get started below.
Become part of our friendly international martial arts community. Membership is open to individual martial artists, instructors, clubs and organisations, with IBFGB members receiving half-price entry to IBFGB seminars.
Explore the IBF Great Britain Black Belt Register and discover the experienced martial artists, instructors and senior grades who form part of our organisation.
Discover IBF clubs and training opportunities across the United Kingdom, covering a variety of martial arts styles and disciplines for different ages and levels of experience.
Keep up to date with the latest IBF Great Britain news and discover forthcoming martial arts seminars, training opportunities, events and activities in the UK and internationally.