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 today
This 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.
🥋 Where Every Karate Journey Has A Story.
The UK Karate Podcast is a non-political platform bringing together karateka from different backgrounds, generations and associations to share the stories, experiences and lessons behind a lifetime in karate.
👇 JOIN THE CONVERSATION
If you’ve ever trained with Bob Rhodes Sensei, attended one of his courses or gradings, or have a story involving him, we’d love to hear it.
Leave your memories in the comments below.
And if you enjoy conversations like this, please LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to the UK Karate Podcast and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes.
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🥋 ABOUT THE UK KARATE PODCAST
The UK Karate Podcast brings together instructors, competitors and lifelong practitioners from across the UK and around the world.
We explore the people behind karate — their beginnings, successes, failures, influences, philosophies and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Different associations. Different generations. Different journeys.
One shared passion — Karate.
🎙️ UK Karate Podcast
Where Every Karate Journey Has A Story.
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