World Karate Association – The Shidokan – New Zealand

THE TRIATHLON OF MARTIAL ARTS

Karate | Kickboxing | Mixed Martial Arts

SHIDOKAN KARATE

Shidōkan (士道館) is knockdown karate & is described as the “Triathlon of Martial Arts” – Karate – Kickboxing – Grappling.

Shidōkan Karate was founded by Yoshiji Soeno who directs The World Karate Association Shidokan from the headquarters in Shizuoka-ken, Japan.

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Mixed Martial Arts

Although Shidōkan has traditional roots to Karate and is a stand-up fighting style that includes kicks, strikes, and punches found in most other styles of Karate, we combine techniques from numerous other styles, which includes, numerous locks, sweeps & throws often associated with Muay Thai, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Wrestling.

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ABOUT US

Shidokan – New Zealand officially represents and manages all students and instructors in new Zealand affiliated to The Shidokan Hombu in Japan.

Additionally Shidokan – New Zealand is affiliated to The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations. Through this affiliation, we are able to attend W.A.K.O. sanctioned tournaments in the Oceana area.

The program consists of mental and physical training in the following:
1) Genuine Japanese Full-contact Karate (“bare-knuckle karate”)
2) Kickboxing and Muay Thai
3) Grappling

The Shidokan endeavors to create a better society through rigorous budo training and strive to maintain the Code of the Samurai (“士道”). Our name, Shidokan, refers to a group that follows the Samurai Way.

The training program has been developed and adapted over time to fit students of all ages and abilities.

Our training begins and ends with respect, and we do not discriminate against any ethnic group, religion or country of origin.

We believe true brotherhood between nations are fostered through personal exchanges through individuals, and the best way to connect to someone is to train together in Shidokan Karate.

Dojo Kun

道場訓一、士道に背きまじきこと
Keep the Samurai Spirit

一、礼節を重んじ人格の向上に努力すること
Improve Your Character. Be Polite To Others

一、心身を練磨し自己の研鑽に励むこと
Train Your Mind and Body

一、質実剛健を旨とし敬天愛人の精神を涵養すること
Live In a Simple Way, Love Mankind, Respect Providence

一、私事の闘争を禁ずること
Self-seek Fight Is Not Allowed

Shidokan Karate was created by Yoshiji Soeno.

Kancho Soeno’s karate involves the use of traditional karate methods, knockdown karate techniques, thai boxing techniques and judo techniques. The style is based on his experience in all four disciplines both in Japan and competitively in Thailand.

It is sometimes described as the triathlon of Martial Arts as its tournaments involve knockdown (otherwise known as bare knuckle), Thai kick-boxing and grappling. (Tournaments are normally held in a boxing ring).

This is reflected in training at the dojo (the place of the way) which includes all the traditional waza (techniques), Judo/jiu-jutsu’, Thai-kick boxing and kata. Holds, pull-downs, locks, throws and strikes with the tibia and elbow are all part of the complete fighting system.

Shidokan is deep rooted in the budo spirit, with this and the extensive repertoire of techniques, it is an extremely strong and impressive style.

As the name signifies:

Shi – Samurai
Do – the way
kan – the association
“Shi-Do-Kan,” literally translated, means “The group that lives and trains in the way of the samurai warrior.”

Kancho Yoshiji Soeno

World Karate Association Shidokan – Founder

Kancho Soeno began his Martial Arts training as a child in his native Saitama Japan in Judo and Kendo. His search for the strongest Martial Art soon lead him to Wado Ryu before finally discovering the Legendary Mas Oyama and his famous Knockdown Karate that soon became Kyokushinkai on 1st September 1964.

These early days at Oyama Dojo were made up of the toughest of tough students, each one training to become the strongest martial artists in Japan, and Kancho was no different earning himself the nickname Tiger of Jyosai or Tiger of Kyokushin.

After a stint Kickboxing in Japan, Soeno Kancho also fought in the very first All Japan Kyokushin Tournament placing second, before fighting Muay Thai in Thailand under full Muay Thai rules.

He soon established his own Dojo, Soeno Dojo and Soeno Gym at which he taught Kyokushin Karate and Kickboxing but it wasn’t until 1981 that he left Kyokushin and founded The World Karate Association Shidokan.

Keeping with the old style of training at Oyama dojo and his own Martial Arts experience Kancho established Shidokan as a pre-cursor to modern day MMA, with a style that takes the best predominantly from Karate, Kickboxing and Grappling.

A living legend Kancho operates the Honbu Dojo in Japan and travels the world sharing his knowledge with his students in many countries visiting Australia at least once a year.