Cheketri Karate Club

20/05/2026

One of the most rewarding things about being a sensei is to see how much your students have grown, not just in their martial arts ability but in their confidence, self belief, strength of character and to see the black belts you have taught since they were only 5 or 6 years old mentoring, supporting, motivating and encouraging the students. No egos just a true love of martial arts and a desire to pass this on.

17/05/2026

What does a week of training look like at Cheketri Karate Dentokan NZ?
It’s a week filled with dedication, passion, learning, teaching, friendship and an unwavering commitment to martial arts excellence. At Cheketri Karate, instructors are always teaching, always learning, always training and that is what makes both our dojo and the Dentokan organisation so special.
Our week began on Saturday with an online Dentokan Iaido (Japanese sword) lesson with Sandra Sensei from the USA.
Sunday morning was spent in the dojo teaching Dentokan Martial Arts, starting with Goju Ryu Karate, followed by Kobudo and then an Aikijujutsu class. Sunday evening continued online, teaching Goju Ryu to Dentokan members from the UK, Indonesia, Australia and throughout New Zealand.
Monday was another international connection, teaching online Goju Ryu classes to Dentokan members in the USA.
Tuesday in our Karaka dojo was a full evening of Dentokan martial arts across all ages; Goju Ryu for 4-year-olds, children’s classes, teen classes, Aikijujutsu, and finally Goju Ryu for adults and Black Belts.
Wednesday morning involved Kobudo training with Emily Hall Sensei, Head of the North Island, Dentokan NZ, followed by afternoon Goju Ryu classes for children in our Ardmore dojo.
Thursday saw more enthusiastic young karateka training in our Karaka dojo and in our Drury dojo, while Friday continued with Goju Ryu classes for children in our Alfriston dojo.
The week concluded on Saturday with online Aikijujutsu training alongside Deb Sensei and Sandra Sensei.
Cheketri Karate is far more than just a martial arts school, it’s a community built on continuous growth, high standards, humility, international friendships and lifelong learning. We are incredibly proud to be part of the outstanding Dentokan organisation and grateful for the opportunity to train with and learn from such knowledgeable and dedicated instructors around the world.

26/04/2026

I had an awesome session teaching Dentokan Goju Ryu last night. It was great to see Dentokan members from Indonesia, the UK, Australia as well our own Kiwis from Tapanui, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland. Thank you everyone for your great training.

04/04/2026

02/04/2026

First Dentokan Goju Ryu grading for Sensei Emily students in Tapanui.
Sensei Emily also oversees the dojo in Dunedin who have been practicing Dentokan Goju Ryu and Kobudo for a few years, and also gives of her time to teach Dentokan Kobudo to a group in Gore.

Emily sensei and Riley sensei took a team of 19 students to compete in the Otago/Southland champs. They proudly wore their Dentokan T-shirts and did exceptionally well winning 6 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals placing them 3 rd as a club.

Dentokan New Zealand in the South Island is making fantastic progress.

21/03/2026

Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim friends.

22/02/2026

This week has been a particularly great week with opportunities for us to train with Dentokan instructors across the globe. Sandra sensei and Deb sensei helped us improve our Aikijujutsu, Sandra sensei also taught us Iaijutsu. It was awesome training with Jason sensei, working on our kobudo and tonight we taught kobudo to our Dentokan Oceania group. Distance does not stop us from training and further developing our Martial Arts.

18/02/2026

Wishing all our Muslim family and friends Ramadan Mubarak.