UK Karate Podcast

🥋 Simon Oliver Sensei (7th Dan) | Nearly 60 Years of Karate, Japanese Masters & Shotokan HistoryWhat was karate really like in Britain during the 1960s and 1970s? And what could you learn from training under legendary instructors such as Enoeda Sensei, Terry O’Neill Sensei and Yamazaki Kaicho?In this episode of the UK Karate Podcast, hosts Chris Walsh and Andy Patton welcome Simon Oliver Sensei, 7th Dan, Head Instructor of JKRUK, to explore a remarkable martial arts journey beginning in 1966.From studying judo as a child to training in Wado Ryu, Shukokai, Shito Ryu and Shotokan karate, Simon has experienced some of the most influential periods in British karate history.His journey has taken him from the early days of British karate to extended training visits in Japan, international competition and the development of JKRUK.🥋 In This Episode* Simon’s introduction to martial arts in 1966 and karate in 1968* Training under Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei and early Japanese instructors* The differences between Wado Ryu, Shito Ryu and Shotokan karate* Meeting the legendary Terry O’Neill Sensei* Training under Keinosuke Enoeda Sensei and Asano Sensei* The changing landscape of British karate and the KUGB, JKA and SKIF* Competing in regional, national and international karate competitions* Travelling to Japan and meeting Yasuhiro Konishi Soke* The influence of Yamazaki Kaicho on Simon’s karate philosophy* Establishing JKRUK and the challenges of leading a karate organisation* Traditional karate values, coaching, leadership and the future of martial arts* What nearly six decades of training have taught him about karate and life🎙️ A Conversation About Karate HistoryThis episode explores more than techniques, grades and competition results.It’s a conversation about the people who shaped British karate, the traditions passed down through generations and the lessons that continue to influence karate training today.Whether you practise Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Shito Ryu or another martial art, Simon’s experiences offer a fascinating perspective on the development of karate in Britain and Japan.🥋 About Simon Oliver SenseiSimon Oliver Sensei is a 7th Dan karate instructor and Head Instructor of JKRUK.His martial arts journey began in 1966, and he has trained with numerous influential Japanese and British karate instructors throughout his career.Learn more: https://www.simonoliversensei.comThank you to Todays Sponsor: My Ikigai Sportswear Learn more: https://myikigaisportswear.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myikigaisportswear/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myikigaisportswear/🎧 About the UK Karate PodcastHosted by Chris Walsh and Andy Patton, the UK Karate Podcast shares the journeys, experiences and stories of karate practitioners from across the world.Where Every Karate Journey Has a Story.🌐 Website: https://www.ukkaratepodcast.co.uk📺 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@UKKaratePodcast📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukkaratepodcast📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukkaratepodcast📧 Contact: [email protected] available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.👍 If you enjoy this conversation, please like, subscribe and share it with your karate community.💬 QUESTION: Which legendary karate instructor would you most like to have trained with?#SimonOliver #ShotokanKarate #UKKaratePodcast #KarateHistory #Karate #MartialArts

🥇 Karate Glory in Japan! | England’s HDKI Cup 2026 Champions🇯🇵 Three incredible karate athletes. Multiple championship titles. One unforgettable tournament in Japan!In this special episode of the UK Karate Podcast, we sit down with Stuart Amos, Shaun Cassidy and Riley Calvert following their outstanding success at the 3rd HDKI Cup 2026 in Japan.Representing England on the international stage, all three delivered exceptional performances in both Kata and Kumite, bringing home individual titles and sharing in an incredible England Team Kumite victory.🏆 Their achievements include:🥇 Stuart Amos – Men’s Individual Kata Champion🥇 Shaun Cassidy – Men’s Individual Kumite Champion🥇🥇 Riley Calvert – Junior Kata and Junior Kumite Champion🏆 England Team Kumite Champions – All three were members of the victorious England team.In this special conversation, we explore their experiences competing in Japan, the preparation and dedication required to perform at the highest level, and what it means to represent England and achieve international success.From the technical precision of Kata to the intensity of Kumite, we take you behind the scenes of an unforgettable championship.Whether you’re a karate competitor, instructor, student or simply passionate about traditional Shotokan Karate, this episode offers a fascinating insight into the mindset, commitment and experiences of three successful international karate athletes.🥋 ABOUT THE UK KARATE PODCASTThe UK Karate Podcast brings you conversations with karate instructors, competitors, champions and inspirational personalities from across the world.Where every karate journey has a story.🎙️ Hosted by Chris Walsh and Andy Patton.🔔 SUBSCRIBE AND JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIf you enjoy hearing real stories from the karate world, please LIKE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE to the UK Karate Podcast.💬 We’d love to hear from you!What does it take to become a champion in both Kata and Kumite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!🌐 Website: https://www.ukkaratepodcast.co.uk📧 Email: [email protected]📱 Follow us: @ukkaratepodcast🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music🥋 UK Karate Podcast – Where Every Karate Journey Has a Story.#HDKICup2026 #ShotokanKarate #UKKaratePodcast #KarateChampions #StuartAmos #ShaunCassidy #RileyCalvert #HDKI #KarateJapan #KarateKumite #KarateKata #TeamEngland #KaratePodcast

🥋 From hating karate as a child to becoming an instructor at the HDKI Hombu Dojo!In this episode of the UK Karate Podcast, we sit down with Caitlin Mooney, an instructor at the HDKI Hombu Dojo, to explore her remarkable journey through traditional Shotokan karate, competition, teaching and life behind the scenes at one of the organisation’s central dojos.Caitlin first stepped into a karate dojo at just eight years old — but surprisingly, she didn’t enjoy it! It wasn’t until she reached 12 or 13 that something changed, sparking a passion that would eventually shape her career.By 14, Caitlin had achieved her Shodan (1st Dan), and at just 17, while still finishing school, she was offered the opportunity to become a karate instructor.At 18, she began working at the HDKI Hombu Dojo, combining teaching with the behind-the-scenes responsibilities of advertising, video editing and social media management.Her dedication continued with Nidan (2nd Dan) at 18 and Sandan (3rd Dan) at 21, with her Sandan examination marking her first grading abroad.🎙️ In this episode, we explore:🥋 Why Caitlin hated karate as a child — and what changed her mind.🥋 Her early competition experiences and how they influenced her development.🥋 Achieving black belt at just 14 years old.🥋 Becoming a karate instructor while still at school.🥋 What life is really like inside the HDKI Hombu Dojo.🥋 The challenges and rewards of teaching karate at a young age.🥋 The importance of social media and digital content in modern karate.🥋 Her journey through Shodan, Nidan and Sandan.🥋 The role of women in karate and inspiring the next generation.🥋 Her thoughts on the future of traditional Shotokan karate.From reluctant beginner to dedicated instructor, Caitlin’s journey is a reminder that sometimes the things we resist as children become the things that define our future.Whether you’re a beginner, experienced karateka, instructor or simply interested in the people behind traditional martial arts, this is a conversation worth watching.⸻🎧 ABOUT THE UK KARATE PODCASTWhere Every Karate Journey Has a Story.The UK Karate Podcast brings you conversations with karate instructors, competitors and inspiring individuals from across the karate world.We explore their experiences, challenges, achievements and the stories that have shaped their martial arts journeys.🌐 Website: www.ukkaratepodcast.co.uk📧 Email: [email protected]🎙️ LISTEN & FOLLOW▶️ YouTube – UK Karate Podcast🎧 Spotify – UK Karate Podcast🍎 Apple Podcasts – UK Karate Podcast🎵 Amazon Music – UK Karate Podcast💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONDid you enjoy karate when you first started, or were you like Caitlin and needed time to discover your passion?Let us know in the comments! 👇👍 Like this episode if you enjoyed the conversation.💬 Comment with your thoughts and experiences.🔔 Subscribe to the UK Karate Podcast for more inspiring karate stories.🥋 Every Karate Journey Has a Story. What’s Yours?#UKKaratePodcast #CaitlinMooney #HDKI #HombuDojo #ShotokanKarate #KaratePodcast #TraditionalKarate #KarateInstructor #KarateJourney #KarateTraining #MartialArts #WomenInKarate

🥋 SENSEI AIDAN TRIMBLE | WORLD CHAMPION, AUTHOR & SHOTOKAN KARATE LEGENDIn this episode of the UK Karate Podcast, we sit down with one of the most respected and accomplished figures in British Shotokan karate — Sensei Aidan Trimble, 8th Dan.Aidan’s karate journey has taken him from a young martial artist in Nottingham to competing at the very highest level, including becoming a World Champion in Tokyo, before dedicating himself to teaching and passing his experience on to future generations.We go right back to where it all began and hear Aidan’s story in his own words — the early days of karate in Britain, the instructors and experiences that shaped him, the intensity of competition during one of British karate’s great eras, and what it took to succeed internationally.🥊 We also get into Aidan’s approach to kumite.Known for his explosive timing, distance control and counter-fighting ability, Aidan shares his thoughts on what separates a good fighter from a great one, how to read an opponent, and why timing can be more important than simply being fast.We discuss:🥋 How Aidan first discovered karate🥋 Training and competing in the early days of British Shotokan🏆 His journey to becoming a World Champion🇯🇵 The experience of competing and winning in Japan🥊 His fighting style, timing and approach to kumite🧠 The mentality required to compete at the highest level🏫 The creation and development of the Federation of Shotokan Karate📚 His books and contribution to karate literature🥋 Kata, bunkai and practical karate⚖️ Traditional karate versus modern competition karate🌍 How karate has changed during his lifetime👊 Coaching and developing the next generation💭 His thoughts on the current state of karate🥋 And what karate means to him after more than five decades of training.This is much more than a conversation about medals and competition.It’s the story of a lifetime in karate — from young competitor to World Champion, instructor, author and one of the best-known figures in British Shotokan.Whether you practise Shotokan, compete in kumite, study traditional karate or simply love hearing the stories of the people who helped shape British karate, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.🎙️ UK KARATE PODCAST“Where every karate journey has a story.”Hosted by Chris Walsh & Andy Patton.👍 If you enjoy the episode, please LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to the channel and leave us a COMMENT.Who would you like to see on the UK Karate Podcast next?🌐 www.ukkaratepodcast.co.uk📧 [email protected]🎧 LISTEN TO THE UK KARATE PODCASTYou can also find the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Podcasts.📱 FOLLOW UK KARATE PODCASTYouTube • Facebook • Instagram • @ukkaratepodcast#AidanTrimble #UKKaratePodcast #KaratePodcast #Shotokan #ShotokanKarate #Karate #BritishKarate #Kumite #KarateKumite #TraditionalKarate #KarateHistory #KarateTraining #MartialArts #WorldChampion #FSKKarate

In this very special episode of the UK Karate Podcast, we sit down with one of the most respected and influential figures from the formative years of British Shotokan karate — Bob Rhodes Sensei.From the early days of Shotokan in Britain, through the legendary training culture of the 1960s and 70s, national and international competition, to becoming a senior instructor, examiner and mentor to generations of karateka, Bob Rhodes Sensei has experienced an extraordinary period of karate history.This conversation takes Bob Sensei right back to the beginning.🥋 In this episode we discuss:• How Bob Rhodes first discovered karate• His memories of those first training sessions• What karate training was really like in Britain during the early years• Training during what many consider the golden era of British Shotokan• The influence of legendary instructors including Keinosuke Enoeda Sensei and Andy Sherry Sensei• The intensity, discipline and expectations of traditional karate training• His development as both a kata and kumite competitor• Competing during the 1970s• The 1973 KUGB National Team Championships• Representing British karate internationally• His memories of the 1975 World Championships in Los Angeles• The significance of Britain competing successfully against Japan• The mentality required to compete at the highest level• His transition from competitor to instructor• His years teaching at Leeds Shotokan Karate Club• Becoming a senior instructor and grading examiner• What Bob Sensei believes makes a genuine black belt• The importance of kihon, kata and kumite• Timing, distance, power and the technical details that make Shotokan effective• How his understanding of karate has changed over a lifetime of training• The difference between karate then and karate today• What modern karate can learn from previous generations• Teaching and mentoring generations of karateka• The importance of passing knowledge from teacher to student• Longevity in karate and adapting training as we get older• What still motivates him to step onto the dojo floor• His thoughts on the future of traditional Shotokan karate• The lessons karate has taught him away from the dojo• And ultimately… what karate means to Bob Rhodes Sensei todayThis isn’t simply a conversation about competition results, grades or titles.It’s an opportunity to hear the memories and experiences of someone who lived through an incredibly important period in the development of British Shotokan karate and has spent decades passing that knowledge on to others.For students of Shotokan, instructors, competitors and anyone interested in the history and development of karate in Britain, this is a conversation not to be missed.🎙️ UK KARATE PODCAST🌐 Website: www.ukkaratepodcast.co.uk📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UKKaratePodcast📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ukkaratepodcast/📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/ukkaratepodcast/🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/0Nq7jr9fTKxDY0EFsanYHy🍎 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/uk-karate-podcast/id1861484516📧 Guest enquiries, collaborations & sponsorship:www.ukkaratepodcast.co.uk#BobRhodes #BobRhodesSensei #UKKaratePodcast #Shotokan #ShotokanKarate #Karate #KaratePodcast #TraditionalKarate #KUGB #BritishKarate #KarateHistory #KeinosukeEnoeda #AndySherry #KarateSensei #KarateTraining #Kata #Kumite #Budo #KarateDo #MartialArts #MartialArtsPodcast #KarateJourney #KarateLife #KarateCommunity #ShotokanUK