Episodes

🥇 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 an...

🥋 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 ...

🥋 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 g...

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...

In this episode of the UK Karate Podcast, we sit down with Sensei John Johnston, 8th Dan, for a fascinating conversation spanning more than five decades in karate.John began his Shotokan journey in the early 1970s and went on to become a highly experienced competitor, instructor and long-standing captain of the KUGB Central Region Squad. His karate journey has seen him train with and alongside some of the most respected names in British karate, as well as draw on real-world experience from his y...

In this episode of the UK Karate Podcast, we are joined by one of the most influential figures in European Shotokan karate, Martin Buchstaller.Martin's journey is unique. Alongside a distinguished international karate career, he built an impressive executive career with major automotive manufacturers including Volkswagen AG, Nissan and Suzuki, eventually holding senior leadership positions within Volkswagen while continuing to contribute to karate at the highest level.As a member of the German J...

Two of HDKI’s rising instructors join the UK Karate Podcast for a special episode.In this episode, we sit down with Amelia Senft Sensei and Natalie Böttcher Sensei from HDKI (Hombu Dojo Karate International) for an in-depth conversation about Shotokan karate, competition, coaching, grading, women in karate and the future of karate training.Both HDKI GB Southern Squad Coaches, Amelia and Natalie discuss their karate journeys, experiences competing and coaching, the lessons they’ve learned through...

🥋 Interview with Sensei Roy Tomlin | UK Karate Podcast In this episode of the UK Karate Podcast, we sit down with Sensei Roy Tomlin for a powerful conversation on karate, martial arts philosophy, leadership, and personal development. Sensei Roy Tomlin shares his journey through karate, his teaching mindset, and his views on traditional values in modern martial arts. This episode goes beyond techniques and competition — diving into mindset, discipline, resilience, and the deeper purpose of karat...

🥋 UK KARATE PODCAST | SEASON 3 EPISODE 1 Sensei Stuart Amos – Competition, Coaching, HDKI & Karate Without Borders Season 3 of the UK Karate Podcast begins with an in-depth conversation with Sensei Stuart Amos — international competitor, HDKI World Champion, coach, and founder of Randori & Fenikkusu Shotokan Karate Club. With over 25 years of karate experience, Sensei Amos shares his journey from starting karate at age 6, through elite international competition, to teaching karate both in pers...