A must-listen for any practitioners of full contact (Kyokushin/Shinkyokushin etc.) karate. On Knockdown Radio Sam Gilbert provides practical content, strategies and training methods to help practitioners and instructors optimise their kumite. We chat to some of the world's top coaches and athletes to find out what makes them successful, and also discuss recent tournament results and fighting trends.
Sam Gilbert is a 4th dan in the Shinkyokushin organisation under Shihan Kenji Midori. He is a multiple time Australian champion, Japan regional champion and placed 4th in the heavyweight division of the 2009 World Cup.
Sam has been living and training in Japan for over 2 decades with some of Japan's top fighters and coaches, and is also a physiotherapist, strength and conditioning coach, and author of "The Science of Striking", a 500 page textbook on physical preparation for stand up combat sports.
Knockdown Radio #6 - All Japan Recap with Yasu Yahiro
On this episode, I'm joined again by Shihan Yasu Yahiro as we sit down to discuss the recent all japan tournament, breaking down the fights, and discussing the implications for next year's world tournament.
18 Sept 2026
Knockdown Radio #5 - Samuel Hallas
Twenty three year old Samuel Hallis from Denmark has been living and training as an uchi deshi under Shihan Kenji Midori in Fukuoka for almost four years.
In this episode, we discuss his karate journey so far, his life and training regime in Japan, the differences between Japan and Europe in terms of both training and competition, and what he's learned from his competition and training experiences so far.
24 Jul 2026
Knockdown Radion #4 - KCC Recap with Yasu Yahiro
On this episode, Shihan Yasu Yahiro is back on the show as we break down the recent Karate Champion and Champions tournament.
If you’re looking to improve the strength and conditioning side of your karate training, check out my book The Science of Striking, a comprehensive 500 page guide to physical preparation for stand up combat athletes. The book is available on Amazon, or you can order directly from the website and receive a 20% discount using the code KDR26. https://www.thescienceofstriking.com/products/ https://www.amazon.com/Science-Striking-Comprehensive-Physical-Preparation/dp/1729586821/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SxtThUJGByTk7lHrToRC14u0T1dZ_Z5I9rGz81OSeWivW-zvE0PxLGj7SG-XcvAdvtTmMp08Qb2xlyYwIEWQ9F74YT-fm1DGWkYlHcP8Owah3dh6V78mdXsaS8K7_aJaMzDWX8w3hFoJX6uihVw1bzxW7RX4wi7BKop_5DUbw7Tpeq5sj4DrV6LeZvmhWQzElj31nktKIXG5RIAGeeysbjcLqXhC_bJHJC_ExsTmm9U.cIVGh_c5krrs2fT4hc_tBKHRJJy7FJQmW-qSCAM4tK8&qid=1781780328&sr=8-1 For more karate training tips and advice, check out Knockdown Radio on Instagram or YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@KnockdownWorkshop https://www.instagram.com/knockdown_workshop/ #karate #shinkyokushin #kyokushin #womenscombat
16 Jul 2026
Knockdown Radio Episode #3: Patrik Lajtos
23 year old Hungarian Patrik Lietos is the current Shinkyokushin European light heavyweight champion. On this episode we chatted about the difference in training methods, fighting styles and tournament environment between Europe and Japan.
18 Jun 2026
Knockdown Radio Episode #2 - Shihan Yasu Yahiro: JFKO & European Tournament Recap
In episode 2 of the Knockdown Radio Podcast, I’m joined by Shihan Yasu Yahiro — Australian Branch Chief and National Coach, as we break down the recent JFKO and European Championships.
14 May 2026
Knockdown Radio #1 - Judd Reid
Welcome to the first ever episode of the Knockdown Radio podcast.
My goal with this show is to provide full contact karate athletes and coaches with practical information they can use to optimise their training and competition performance. I’ll also be diving into the minds of some of the world’s best fighters and instructors, giving them the opportunity to share the insights that have made them so successful.
To see the video version, head over to our youtube page https://youtu.be/2j9wb_YeVm0
My first guest is the legendary Judd Reid, one of the very few foreigners to complete the uchi deshi program under Yoshiji Soeno and one of the few people to complete the 100-man kumite.
We explore his experiences at Honbu and how these shaped his fighting career, as well as what he learned from his time in Thailand, and how his extensive experience has influenced his coaching style.
If you’re looking to improve the strength and conditioning side of your karate training, check out my book The Science of Striking, a comprehensive 500 page guide to physical preparation for stand up combat athletes. The book is available on Amazon, or you can order directly from the website and receive a 20% discount using the code KDR26.
For more karate training tips and advice, check out Knockdown Radio on Instagram or YouTube.
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