The UK Karate Podcast brings together instructors, competitors, and lifelong practitioners from across the UK and beyond.
We explore Shotokan karate, traditional values, grading journeys, competition, coaching, and the people shaping British karate today.
Featuring in-depth conversations with Sensei, senior grades, coaches, and respected figures from across different karate associations, this podcast celebrates karate-do as a way of life — on and off the tatami.
Whether you train for competition, tradition, or personal development, the UK Karate Podcast is for anyone passionate about karate
Aidan Trimble: The Brit Who Became World Champion in Japan 🥋🇯🇵
🥋 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📧 ukkaratepodcast@gmail.com🎧 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
23 Aug 2026
Bob Rhodes Sensei: The Golden Era of British Shotokan Karate | UK Karate Podcast
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
8 Aug 2026
John Johnston: 55 Years of Karate & The Story Behind Adaptive Karate
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 years working in the security industry.But John is perhaps best known today for his work with Adaptive Karate — a philosophy built around the belief that karate should be made viable for the individual, rather than expecting every individual to fit the same system.We talk about:🥋 John’s early days in Shotokan karate🥋 Competing for more than 25 years🥋 Captaining the KUGB Central Region Squad🥋 Training with Frank Brennan and other influential karateka🥋 The origins and philosophy behind Adaptive Karate🥋 Teaching students with disabilities and additional needs🥋 How karate can improve confidence, independence and wellbeing🥋 Practical karate, bunkai and making techniques functional🥋 His experiences working in nightclub security🥋 How his understanding of karate has changed over more than 50 years🥋 Why karate should adapt to the person — not the other way aroundThis is a conversation about much more than technique. It’s about longevity, inclusion, practicality and what karate can genuinely give people throughout their lives.🎙️ UK Karate PodcastWhere Every Karate Journey Has A Story.🌐 www.ukkaratepodcast.co.ukIf you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe and share to help us continue bringing you conversations with fascinating people from across the karate world.#UKKaratePodcast #JohnJohnston #AdaptiveKarate #Karate #ShotokanKarate #PracticalKarate #Bunkai #MartialArts #InclusiveKarate #KaratePodcast
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