Ticky started karate at the age of 18 years in 1965 and began his initial training with Tatso Suzuki in the style of Wado Ryu. He also trained with some well known karateka over the years including Mr Shoimitsu, Miss Hayashi, Mr Kanazawa and Mr Enoda.  

In 1973 Ticky formed his own style of Karate known as Ishinryu which means ‘All of one Heart’ and is the current Head of the Ishinryu Karate Association.

Ticky has been involved in British and English Karate as a competitor and coach; he won the British Championships Titles in 1973, 74 & 75 and in 1976 Ticky was part of the team that won the World Championships. He then went on to coach the teams that won the 1982, 84, 86, 88 and 90 World Championships an unprecedented five times. Ticky has coached many successful karate ka including Juliette & Gillian Toney, Wayne Otto, Greg Francis, Rory Daniels, Alton Brown, Natalie Williams to name a few.

After such a successful career Ticky was awarded the OBE in 1991 for services to karate.  Ticky was awarded the grade of 9yh Dan in 2009 by the England Karate Federation (EKF).

For more information about the career of Ticky Donovan O.B.E. 9th Dan, please see this article and interview published by the English Karate Federation  in November 2008.