
Sonchō Karate Club on the roads
We train with everyone and anyone!
Follow our karate travels here or even better share your training opportunities with us.
We love learning and are always on the lookout for more events with great instructors.

Course with Bob Rhodes Sensei and Kevin Thurlow Sensei
Where: Faversham
When: 25/05/2025
Instructors: Sensei Bob Rhodes, Sensei Kevin Thurlow
Fantastic seminar with Bob Rhodes Sensei and Kevin Thurlow Sensei in Faversham today!
2 excellent kumite and kata sessions,
Natalie and Hazel learned loads and took away some brilliant tips and ideas from both sessions.
Thank you to Canterbury Shotokan Karate Club for having us join the seminar!
Picture courtesy of Steven Beard

Bo Staff Training
Where: Basingstoke
When: 23/05/2025
Instructors: Sensei Mark Lutman
One of those sessions you’ll never forget!
Superb teaching by Mark Lutman Sensei.
Thank you to Ridgeway SKC for organising,
and to Dave Sensei for letting Natalie use the Japanese Oak Bo Staff, what an honour!
A fantastic evening

Welsh Karate League Championships
Where: Wales
When: 12/05/2025
Instructors:
Great to see Natalie Sensei in her referee uniform at the Welsh Karate League!
It’s an honour to work alongside referees from different associations, and see athletes from various clubs perform their best!

HDKI GB National Kata Squad Training
Where: Basingstoke
When: 04/05/2025
Instructors: Julie Nicholson Sensei, John Holdsworth Sensei
A very educational and inspiring kata squad training, thank you to Julie & John Senseis for sharing their knowledge with us.
Great to see Natalie and Marius travel to Basingstoke today, loads of good karate conversations and future goals discussed.
We highly recommend making the most of such opportunities, learning from the squad coaches. Squad sessions give us the tools that we can take away and use in the dojo, not just competitions.

Black & Brown Belt Course
Where: Guildford
When: 05/04/2025
Instructors: Stuart Amos Sensei, Simon Bligh Sensei
Brilliant detailed Shodan focussed session with Stuart Amos Sensei, followed by kumite session with Simon Bligh Sensei.
Everyone took loads away from both sessions and from the Dan grading too. Talking to Elif & Yingtai after the course it was fantastic to hear how much they both learned today,
A fantastic day, big thank you to all working hard behind the scenes to make it happen!

Seminar with Shinji Nagaki Sensei
Where: Liverpool
When: 23/03/2025
Instructors: Shinji Nagaki Sensei
A fantastic day full of karate with Shinji Nagaki Sensei.
Brilliant to see Natalie, Isaac, Hazel, Laurel and Maryse join the line and train hard.
All grades session followed by a very intensive black and brown belt session, there was so much we covered - excellent day.
Thank you to Randori Shotokan Karate Club for organising. Grateful for this opportunity.

HDKI GB Black and Brown Belt Course
Where: Liverpool
When: 22/03/2025
Instructors: Sensei Matt Pain, Sensei Paul Uren
Great to see Maryse train at the B&B course in Liverpool today.
Two very inspiring sessions, loads to take away and work on in the dojo.
Congratulations to all who passed their grading, very well done.

Play Their Way / UNICEF Workshop
Where:
When: 19/03/2025
Instructors:
It’s great to see Natalie attend the workshop with Play Their Way and UNICEF UK, where coaches and local sports organisations dived deep into children’s rights in the context of sport, and explored ways these can be embedded in organisational practices.
Great to have a conversation with Active Gloucestershire how Sonchō Karate Club can actively support local individuals and families. Looking forward to working with them closely.

HDKI GB National Kumite Squad Training
Where: Dudley
When: 16/03/2025
Instructors: Sensei Julie Nicholson and John Holdsworth
Fantastic to see Natalie, Leah, and Maryse train hard at the HDKI - GB National Kumite Squad Training.
So much to take away from the session, we worked on body movement, feints, and tactics on the theme ‘it’s not what you do but how you do it’.
Lovely to see everyone and meet new friends too. Thank you to John and Julie Senseis for a fantastic session.

Training with Neil Jerome Sensei
at Blackwater Valley Shotokan Karate Club
Where: Blackwater Valley
When: 13/03/2025
Instructors: Sensei Neil Jerome
Brilliant night at Blackwater Valley Shotokan Karate with Sensei Neil Jerome.
Natalie managed to fit in an extra training and what an inspiring session this was!
We looked at how the form evolves into functional, dynamic karate. We removed the tension often created during kihon/kata practice and allowed the energy to flow beyond the form.
Thank you to Steve Bailes Sensei for hosting.

HDKI GB South East Squad Training
Where: Basingstoke
When: 26/01/2025
Instructors: Natalie Böttcher Sensei, Amelia Senft Sensei
Great way to kick off 2025 squad training!
South East Squad training held in Basingstoke today, led by our own Natalie Sensei and Amelia Sensei. Two excellent, very well thought out sessions.
Working on explosive starts and body coordination for kata together with explosive kumite attacks and defence drills. Nice to see tubes and agility ladders being used in the sessions for body development.

HDKI GB Christmas Course
Where: Birmingham
When: 15/12/2024
Instructors: Senseis Tom Kompier, Julie Nicholson, John Holdsworth and Scott Langley
2 days of training, 6 brilliant sessions.
Natalie and Maryse joined the group of senior grades on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed the challenging sessions, taking the basics to another level.
Very educational and thought provoking second day focusing on the importance of correct execution of techniques and ideas that can be applied in regular training. We finished off with Kakuyoku Shodan and applications.

HDKI Ireland Christmas Course with Takenoshita Shinichiro Sensei
Where: Dublin
When: 08/12/2024
Instructors: Takenoshita Shinichiro Sensei
A fantastic Christmas course in Ireland with Takenoshita Sensei!
Maryse and Natalie travelled to train with Takenoshita Sensei, took away loads from all sessions and made many great memories too!
Congratulations to Natalie and Maryse on passing their Sandan grading with Sensei Scott Langley, Sensei Takenoshita Shinichiro and Sensei Ross Stewart.
Fantastic achievement, congratulations from everyone at Sonchō Karate Club

Special Promotion Seminar
Where: Faversham
When: 24/11/2024
Instructors: Bob Rhodes Sensei
It was a real privilege for Natalie and Maryse to have been invited to the special seminar today to see Sensei Bob Rhodes being awarded his 9th Dan.
Congratulations to Sensei Bob Rhodes,
from everyone at Sonchō Karate Club. As a club we are very lucky to have had Sensei Bob visit us and teach in the club on a couple of occasions, some very lucky members even graded under Sensei Bob.
We are very honoured to have been part of this special day!

Autumn Camp 2024
Where: La Roche sur Yon (France)
When: 25-27/10/2024
Instructors: Scott Langley Sensei, Guy Brodeur Sensei
Maryse travelled all the way to France to train at the Autumn Camp 2024 with Scott Langley Sensei and Guy Brodeur Sensei in La Roche sur Yon.
Always a lot to take on and practice in the dojo, thank you!
Thank you so much for organising Emmanuel Etienne and Sylvaine!

Watanabe Sensei - seminar and kumite masterclass
Where: Bristol
When: 26/10/2024
Instructors: Daisuke Watanabe Sensei
What a fantastic day it was for Natalie, training hard, learning loads, meeting new karateka and catching up with old friends too.
Absolutely awesome seminar and kumite masterclass with Watanabe Sensei at Bristol Karate Academy! 4 hours of training, Natalie paired up with karateka who challenged her and had the best time training with Sensei Watanabe who came to teach all the way from Japan. Thank you to Tim Sensei and everyone else for organising. Brilliant seminar

HDKI National Championships
Where: North Solihull
When: 12/10/2024
Instructors:
Fantastic results for everyone from Sonchō Karate Club at the HDKI GB National Open Championships 2024.
Congratulations to every single one of you,
you did the club and your families proud today! Natalie spent the day coaching, jumping and screaming with joy, seeing others do so well today
Thank you to everyone working incredibly hard behind the scenes who organised the championships and to all the referees and table officials for all their hard work!

HDKI International Cup
Where: Dublin
When: 22/09/2024
Instructors:
What a weekend!
Fantastic results for the HDKI - GB team in the HDKI International Cup, congratulations to every single one of you, from competitors and officials, to parents and friends.
We were honoured to be part of such a good team and all of us in our category achieved something special and unique to each of us, these are the best wins! The support and encouragement, understanding and a bit of fun are the best prizes we can get and give.

HDKI International Seminar with Guy Brodeur Sensei and Scott Langley Sensei
Where: Dublin
When: 20-21/09/2024
Instructors: Guy Brodeur Sensei and Scott Langley Sensei
We travelled all the way to Dublin this time!
Such a brilliant seminar, 2 fantastic days full of karate with superb instruction from Scott Langley Sensei and Guy Brodeur Sensei.
Wonderful to meet and train with karateka from different countries, make new friends and catch up with the old friends!!
With over 100 participants from 12 different countries this truly was a fantastic weekend!

GB Open Karate Championships
Where: Birmingham
When: 15/09/2024
Instructors:
Natalie travelled to Birmingham and with Eden Sensei they both got lots of practice ready for the HDKI International competition next weekend.
Natalie was pushed on the area gaining more experience and was even invited to be centre referee which shows how well she is doing. Very lucky to have Doru Sensei as a mentor.
Thank you for the opportunity!

Laurel and Hazel in London!
Where: London
When: 10/09/2024
Instructors:
Congratulation to Laurel who won our Soncho Karate on the roads trophy for the best karate photo from their travels during summer holidays!
That mawashi geri is pretty awesome!
Well done ladies and thank you to everyone who sent us their photos this summer.

Seminar with Rick Hotton Sensei and Scott Langley Sensei
Where: Basingstoke
When: 08/09/2024
Instructors: Rick Hotton Sensei and Scott Langley Sensei
Natalie, Maryse and Marius travel to Basingstoke!
A fantastic day at the seminar with Rick Hotton Sensei and Scott Langley sensei.
Maryse, Natalie and Marius took away loads of brilliant ideas and tips from both sessions.
Great to catch up with Paul and everyone else!
Thank you for organising, and we look forward to seeing many friends in Dublin later this month!

Natalie and Maryse at the Welsh Karate League
Where: Merthyr
When: 01/09/2024
Instructors:
Natalie and Maryse changed their karate suits for the judge uniforms today!
Getting lots of practice and mentoring in the Welsh Karate League as judges. The day was a fantastic experience where Natalie and Maryse have been mentored and guided by some fantastic WUKF referees.
Having fast reactions, being fully focused and in control providing athletes with great experiences on the day is a lot of hard work!!

Tividale Shotokan Karate club hosts Mandie and Dan Sensei from Dudley Shukokai Karate Club
Where: Tividale
When: 30/08/2024
Instructors: Mandie Read Sensei, Daniel Read Sensei
We’re very lucky to have been able to train with Mandie Sensei & Dan Sensei, who came to teach at Tividale Shotokan Karate Club!
Mandie and Dan Senseis are both AKA Squad Coaches and their sessions are always full of energy and great atmosphere!
Super sweaty session and brilliant atmosphere! Thank you to Lesley and Steve Senseis for having Natalie and Maryse train with you all.

Shogai 10th Anniversary Summer Camp
Where: South Leverton
When: 16-18/08/2024
Instructors: Andrea Carbon Sensei,
Julie Nicholson Sensei, John Holdsworth Sensei, Paul Uren Sensei, Justin Beatie Sensei
We packed our tents and headed to Shogai Karate Dojo for the Shogai 10th Anniversary Summer Camp.
With Nijushiho being this year’s camp kata Natalie and Maryse have been spoiled for the amount of details and applications that this kata offers. Both ladies had an opportunity to do another mock grading with feedback from the panel of senior instructors.
Thank you to Simon Bligh Sensei for organising, great to see everyone too!

Bob Rhodes Sensei at Bushido Kai Karate Club
Where: Liverpool
When: 10/08/2024
Instructors: Bob Rhodes Sensei
Brilliant day training with Bob Rhodes Sensei at Bushido Kai Karate Club today.
Thank you to Geoff Sensei for having us, it was great to join the line with other local karateka, working on kata, kumite and bunkai of Gojushiho Dai.
Brilliant challenge today, thoroughly enjoyed both sessions! Fantastic to see everyone and what an honour to train at Sensei Geoff's club. Thank you

Tividale Shotokan Karate club hosts Amy Davis Sensei from Shouri Karate Club
Where: Tividale
When: 09/08/2024
Instructors: Amy Davis Sensei
Thank you to Tividale Shotokan Karate Club for having us train with you all, a fantastic kumite session by Amy Sensei!
Amy Sensei is one of the AKA Squad Coaches and in this 2hr kumite session we explored different kumite drills. Everyone was pushed out of their comfort zones and enjoyed getting stuck into those kumite drills!
Shobu Ippon rounds with different partners was a great experience. Brilliant session!!

B&B course with Ross Stewart Sensei and Stuart Amos Sensei
Where: Liverpool
When: 03/08/2024
Instructors: Ross Stewart Sensei and Stuart Amos Sensei
Brilliant day in Liverpool at the open course with Ross and Stuart Senseis.
It was fantastic to see Hazel and Laurel train hard and learn loads. They faced the challenge of partnering up with senior karateka from different clubs and received plenty of support and encouragement. With this being their first course outside the dojo, such commitment deserves a recognition.
Maryse and Natalie keep training hard in and out the dojo, learning loads, bringing training tips and ideas back to the dojo to work on.

No Child Left Behind
Where: Cheltenham
When: 02/08/2024
Instructors: Natalie Sensei and Maryse Sensei
What a fantastic day we have had at the No Child Left Behind Party in the Park today!!!
Such a brilliant atmosphere with loads of fun and laughter!
Hundreds of children and families came together to enjoy all sorts of activities.
It was busy, loads of children had a go at karate using punch bag, pads, Jo staff, agility ladders, resistance tubes and they absolutely loved it!
Thank you to all organisers and other NCLB partners for such a fantastic family fun day!

B&B course with Simon Bligh Sensei and Stuart Amos Sensei
Where: Jersey
When: 21/07/2024
Instructors: Simon Bligh Sensei and Stuart Amos Sensei
Maryse travelled to Jersey Shotokan Karate for an extraordinary day with Simon Sensei and Stuart Sensei. Their expertise and passion for karate were truly inspiring, providing invaluable insights and advanced techniques that left everyone motivated and eager to improve.
The engaging and dynamic sessions not only enhanced our skills but also deepened our appreciation for the art. We're grateful for the opportunity to learn from such esteemed instructors.

Open Course and Dan Grading with Scott Langley Sensei
Where: Liverpool
When: 13-14/07/2024
Instructors: Scott Langley Sensei
A brilliant weekend full of karate at the Open Course and Dan Grading with Scott Langley Sensei (7th Dan).
So much to take away from all sessions that we can apply in our training.
Congratulations to all who passed their grading. Thank you for organising, such a brilliant weekend catching up and training with our friends.

More karate adventures!
National Kumite Squad Training
Where: Dudley
When: 07/07/2024
Instructors: Julie Nicholson Sensei, John Holdsworth Sensei
Fantastic day at the HDKI GB National Kumite Squad Training today!
Julie and John and Paul Senseis put everyone through their paces. A challenging session, loads to take away that we can work on in the dojo. Great to see Maryse, Sandy and Natalie train hard.
Brilliant atmosphere with everyone else getting stuck in and challenging each other!
Thank you for another fantastic session!

Busy weekend for HDKI GB!
Brown and black belt course and dan grading
Where: Portsmouth
When: 06/07/2024
Instructors: Simon Bligh Sensei, Paul Uren Sensei
Maryse travelled to Portsmouth today to train at the brown & black belt course.
Tubes, Empi, kumite, the course was a great opportunity for everyone to train hard and get sweaty.
Maryse paired up with a Nidan candidate for kumite and received a very good feedback from the grading panel.
Fantastic to see Maryse's hard training is paying off as she's preparing for her Sandan!

Brilliant day at the GB Open International and what an experience this was!
Where: Birmingham
When: 30/06/2024
Instructors:
We are beyond proud of everyone who had the courage to step on the tatami today!
Congratulations everyone, absolutely brilliant work today!!! Be proud of yourselves, whether you medalled or not, the experience you gained today is worth so much more!
Competitions expose us to different opponents and styles and highlight areas for improvement. We learn to adapt, perform under pressure, improve our focus and resilience.

Maryse and Natalie have travelled to Greater Manchester to perform at the EKA Open
Where: Leigh
When: 23/06/2024
Instructors:
Maryse and Natalie have travelled to Greater Manchester to perform their grading kata “under pressure” at the EKA Open today.
The aim was to learn from the experience and recognise that when performing a kata under the watchful eyes of the referees, audience, and later grading examiners, you need to believe in yourself and trust your training.
It was a great experience, well done ladies!

Another early start to the day,
our 6th trip to Greasby Shotokan Karate Club
Where: Greasby
When: 16/06/2024
Instructors: Stuart Amos Sensei
Yet again we made our way to Greasby Shotokan Karate Club to train with and learn from Stuart Amos Sensei.
Fantastic to have Tony Chin and Christine Donnelly join in at kumite training to challenge us and really push us.
We have been asked to explain application of selected sections of our grading kata in front of everyone at the club and received some valuable feedback from Stuart Sensei.

National Kata Squad Training
Where: Dudley
When: 09/06/2024
Instructors: Julie Nicholson Sensei, John Holdsworth Sensei
Another productive day at the HDKI GB National Kata Squad Training looking at the details of all Heian Katas for elimination rounds, followed by Nijushiho and Gojushiho Sho.
Great to see Maryse, Sandy and Natalie train together today.
Thank you to Julie & John Senseis for all their support and brilliant session.

Kata and Kumite Course with Bob Rhodes Sensei and Jason Cunningham Sensei
Where: Faversham
When: 26/05/2024
Instructors: Sensei Bob Rhodes, Sensei Jason Cunningham
Thank you Senseis Bob Rhodes and Jason Cunningham for two great training sessions today.
Tekki Nidan with bunkai,
kumite and work on mawashi geri and ushiro mawashi geri followed by self defence techniques.
Brilliant morning full of karate!

HDKI
Ireland Open Championships
Where: Dublin
When: 19/05/2024
Instructors:
Spirited performances today from squad members representing HDKI GB at the HDKI
Ireland Open Championships. Congratulations to Aleena who won silver in the 12-15 Mixed Kata and Girls Kumite events.
Thank you Natalie, Jonathan, Chris and Aleena for stepping up and leaving everything on the mat, you did yourselves proud and brought home a silver medal each. Fantastic to see the team spirit and support for each other.

On the roads again to Greasby Shotokan Karate Club for more karate training
Where: Greasby
When: 12/05/2024
Instructors: Stuart Amos Sensei
Absolutely brilliant training at Greasby Shotokan Karate Club. Advanced Kata worked on Nijushiho form, and those grading this year explained their kata applications.
Kumite Session worked on competition and grading kumite. Stuart Sensei covered an enormous amount of detail with us, as well as different tips. Challenging kumite class but what a fantastic opportunity to practise.
Thank you to Stuart Sensei for his help.

Northern Squad Training
Where: Liverpool
When: 04/05/2024
Instructors: Stuart Amos Sensei, John O'Neill Sensei, Ivor Thomas Sensei
Had the most amazing day at the HDKI GB Northern Squad Training with such well planned sessions, each one covering different elements, yet all of them equally challenging.
Training opportunities like these are always worth travelling to as they offer so many great tips and ideas that can be applied in the dojo.
Thank you to all Senseis, absolutely superb squad training, loved every minute!

Sonchō Karate Club
Where: Cheltenham
When: 23/04/2024
Instructors: Natalie Böttcher Sensei
When Sanjo meets Sonchō magical things happen!
Our friend Claire from Sanjo Karate - HDKI Preston paid us another visit and brought loads of great energy with her!
Wonderful to see you again Claire!

National Kumite Squad Training
Where: Dudley
When: 21/04/2024
Instructors: Julie Nicholson Sensei, John Holdsworth Sensei
A brilliant day at the National Kumite Squad Training in Dudley with Maryse and Sandy joining the training.
Thank you to Julie & John Senseis for all the support and organising.

National Kata Squad Training
Where: Guildford
When: 17/03/2024
Instructors: Julie Nicholson Sensei, John Holdsworth Sensei
Brilliant day at the kata squad training with Julie and John senseis.
Loads to take away and some great tips that we can apply in our regular training too.
Both Maryse and Natalie had a chance to work on their grading kata and learn from the best.
Thank you for organising.

The Legend Open Championships