初心塾和道會 Shoshin Jyuku Wadokai

04/06/2026

Big congratulations to Senpai Rika, who narrowly missed out on the gold medal in Kata, coming home with 2 silver medals in both Kata and Kumite 🥈🥈

To top off the weekend, Senpai Rika also managed to take a photo with 2-time World Champion Antonio Díaz — definitely a special moment and great inspiration! 📸👏

Unfortunately, Sensei Sari and Senpai Yuri missed out on the medal rounds this time, but we are still proud of the effort and spirit shown by the whole team.

Surely a long weekend and a well-deserved rest for the team. Let’s regroup, train harder, and come back even stronger for NZ Nationals 💪🇳🇿

10/05/2026

We were very honoured to have Kobayashi Sensei join our Friday night training. It was a special opportunity to learn from and spend time with a world-class Sensei up close, and we are truly grateful for his time and guidance.

Over the weekend, the training was highly technical and filled with valuable learning. It was great to see our students engaging more deeply, understanding the finer details, and gaining a better appreciation of the deeper meaning behind the techniques.

It was also a very memorable occasion. Jessie Sensei was honoured to personally receive the 2nd Kyu Instructor Licence from Kobayashi Sensei, while our students were delighted to receive their 1st Kyu certificates from him. Everyone left feeling proud, inspired, and grateful for the experience.

Thank you, Kobayashi Sensei, for your continued guidance and encouragement. This will be a precious and unforgettable memory for all of us.

19/04/2026

Great results from today’s competition 👏

Senpai Yuri brought home Silver in Kata 🥈
Ata Rangi secured Silver in Kumite 🥈 and narrowly missed out in Kata by just one flag — an incredibly close result!

Super proud of their effort, determination, and performance today. Let’s keep pushing towards Nationals 💪

10/04/2026

Big congratulations 🎊 to Sensei Sari for taking home the gold medal in kata at the Australia Open 2026 — an outstanding achievement! 🥇

Senpai Yuri delivered a strong performance, finishing in the top 5, just narrowly missing out on a bronze medal.

Senpai Rika showed great determination, competing hard through the repechage rounds.

Really proud of this small team and the effort everyone put in. Great to see Wado katas on the mats getting flags 🤩

Hopefully next year we’ll have an even bigger team heading across the ditch! 💪

08/04/2026

Small team heading across to compete in the Australian Open 🇦🇺🔥

Wishing you all the very best — Sensei Sari, Senpai Yuri, and Senpai Rika. Good turn out of competitors in your categories, but we know you’re ready.

Go out there, give it everything, and fight with heart 💪🥋

18/03/2026

Big moment for Shoshinjyuku Wadokai 🔥🥋
Massive congratulations to our FIRST Black Belts — Senpai Yuri & Senpai Rika!
All the hard work, discipline, and dedication has paid off.
You’ve set the bar high — now let’s keep building!
Also, a huge congratulations to Sensei Jessie for passing 5th Dan and achieving the 2 Kyu Instructor’s License — an incredible milestone for our dojo!

08/03/2026

First regional tournament of the year done! 🥋

Well done to Tobias, Ata Rangi and Zoe for stepping up and competing.

We came home with three bronze medals 🥉 Ata Rangi in both Kata and Kumite, and Tobias in Kata. Zoe fought hard but unfortunately just missed out this time.

Great
effort from everyone — plenty to work on when we’re back at the dojo.

13/02/2026

A long weekend well spent 🇯🇵
Our instructors trained intensively, sharpened techniques, and gained valuable guidance from senior sensei.
We’re proud to continue growing and bringing this knowledge back to our dojo.

「海外指導者向け技術講習会および昇段審査会・指導員級位審査会」講師　園田玉紀先生　志村耕一先生　篠原正道先生　小林信隆先生　伊藤康夫先生　村瀬一三生先生　甲畑信二先生　戸谷和弘先生　奥町弘二先生

11/02/2026

🔥 Great results for our club! 🔥
🥋 Club Success in Japan! 🇯🇵
💯 100% passing rate!

A huge congratulations to:
🥋 Sari Sensei – passed 3rd Dan
🥋 Jessie Sensei – passed 2nd Kyu Instructor License

Our time in Japan was incredible! The training pushed our bodies to the limit, but we’re so grateful for the tips and guidance from the senseis there.

And of course, after a long day of training, we celebrated with well-deserved drinks and delicious food! 🍻🍣

Here’s to more growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences together! 💪

08/02/2026

Over the weekend, Sari Sensei and Jessie Sensei attended an overseas instructors seminar in Japan 🇯🇵.
Two full days of intensive training, learning, and reflection—going back to basics, refining details, and continuing the journey of growth as karateka and instructors.

We believe that continuing to learn, even as instructors, is essential. What we gain from experiences like this will be brought back to the dojo—for our students, our club, and our own development.