The early part of his training took place in his home town of Dundee, but it was not long before he was travelling all over Britain to train with various Japanese Senseis. His technique, speed and power were developed strong enough to match the best of his contemporaries and by the 1970's he was representing Scotland in European competition.

In 1971 circumstances guided him to work in South Africa. Whilst there he was asked to give instruction in Karate at the Local Benoni Karate Club. This was where he met Shihan Hans Haupt. Hans Haupt at that time was a 1st Kyu Brown Belt and became a good personal friend of Robert Kane whilst training under him.
In 1974 Rob returned to Scotland while Shihan Hans Haupt left for Japan.

Shihan Rob Kane during Gashuku Training - 1996

Shihan Robert Kane
1969:lst Dan,                                 1971:2nd Dan,                                       1976:3rd Dan,                                        1981:3rd Dan, Tenshinkan                              1985:4th Dan, U.K. Chief Instr.                          1989:5th Dan, Shihan + U.K

1995 : 6th Dan Shihan + Uk

Shihan Rob Kane Training with  Hans Haupt (Chief Instr. S.A.) in South - Africa 1972

It was in 1981 that Robert was invited by Shihan Hans Haupt to return to South-Africa to meet and train with Kancho Mamoru Miwa. Rob was so impressed that he immediately Affilliated with the Tenshinkan Style.
He became determined to travel to Japan. Then just three years later in 1984 he made his way to Hasuda City in Japan for his 4th Dan Examination and to compete in the World Championships

A few years later Robert returned to Japan in 1987 for a further gruelling seven weeks training under Kancho Mamoru Miwa where he was awarded the very honourable grade of  Shihan (5th Dan.) His dedication to Tenshinkan Karate has taken him all around the world but now much of his time and energy is spent deepening the roots of Tenshinkan Karate in Britain.

As Chief Judge and Examiner for the U.K. Tenshinkan Karate Association Robert now regularly travels around the country teaching and developing the growth of Tenshinkan

Robert's vision for the U.K. Association is for progressive growth.     Robert's message is simple;                                    "I believe very stronlgy in Tenshinkan.Our main task has to be developing and helping this style of Karate to flourish in the U.K. This means putting a lot of emphasis on our younger karate-ka, with regular training and attention to the details of good basic techniques. I want all of my instructors to become part of this task. With truly dedicated members our Association can only go from strength to strength. OSSU!'