User:Csharpe2009

Chris Sharpe (Full name Christopher John Sharpe) was born on 29th June 1970 at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Gwent. After attending Duffryn High School in Newport, where he left with 9 O-levels A-C, he attended Crosskeys College to study a BTEC National Diploma in Business and Finance along with 2 A-levels in Economics and Computer Science.

Whilst at College, Chris took up the sport of Judo, training at the Dean Judo Club in Newport under the instruction of Sensei Doris Dean, 3rd Dan. Quickly moving up through the grade system, Chris gained his 1st Dan black belt in 1999 through Sensei Leighton Jenkins (Tokushima Budo Council). In 1999, Chris fought at the British Judo Championships in London, where he won the Gold in the Mens U81kg.

At the age of 19, Chris began working at the Ritzy Nightclub in Newport as a Trainee Manager. After only 6 months in the job, he was transferred to Swansea Aviary nightclub (Now Escape), where he was Assistant Manager in charge of Catering. With Mecca Leisure (owner of the Aviary) being taken over by rank, Chris then transferred back to Newport Ritzy in 2000, where he was employed as Catering Manager. In 1992, Chris then attended Manchester Metropolitan University to study a B.Ed (Hons) degree in Business, a four year course, which eventually saw him begin his teaching career at Ruskin Sports College in Crewe.

Still keeping to his roots in the nightclub and music scene, Chris began DJ'ing at various venues across the North west of England, working for Moby's Entertainment and Decades Disco, before eventually being the resident jock at Clancy's in Crewe. Taking a short break from University, Chris was called up to carry out active service in Bosnia. So in 1995, as a member of the Cheshire Regiment, he travelled with the 1st Batallion Royal Green Jackets to support them on their operations in Former Yugoslavia, based in Vitez, Bosnia.

On return to the UK, Chris continued with the army, whilst finishing off his degree, this time being attached to the Territorial Army in Crewe for a couple of years. Continuing with Judo, Chris took over as Senior Club Coach at Crewe Judo Club, founded the Ren Bu Kai Fighting System, a martial art which comprises of kicks, punches, knee strikes, elbow strikes, chokes, locks, throws and groundfighting techniques. Enjoying huge individual success and also club success with Judo and Ren Bu Kai, Chris was selected to fight for Team GB in the World Ju-jitsu Championships in 2000, where he gained a Silver medal. Enjoying more competition successes over the next few years, Chris fought in Belgium, France, Germany and Canada, before reaching his ultimate ambition to train in Japan, where he spent 3 months at the Kodokan in Tokyo.

Within his teaching career, Chris then moved on from Ruskin Sports College after 7 years and took up the post of ICT teacher at Upton High School in Chester. Having left the Territorial Army, Chris now had more time on his hands and broke into the DJ scene professionally, enjoying main DJ sets across the North West of England at Cream Liverpool, Manchester Ritz, Manchester Hacienda and a one-off all night stint at Ministry of Sound London. Throughout his DJ'ing career Chris has worked with top DJ's and bands including Sash, Paul Van Dyk, Sasha & Digweed & Seb Fontaine.

Chris now teaches ICT at Eirias High School, Colwyn Bay; is a 4th Dan at Judo, 7th Dan Ren Bu Kai and has set up his own DJ company (Sharp Sounds). He lives in Crewe, Cheshire and still runs Crewe Judo Club and also the After-schools judo club at Eirias High School, Colwyn Bay as part of the 5x60 club. Chris is the Chief Judo Referee for the Unified Martial Alliance and also a Senior Executive Officer for the association. As a member fo the Welsh Judo Association, Chris is now working towards becoming an A Class referee at Judo to referee at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.