This prestigious role recognises not only Matt’s dedication to the growth of martial arts at the national and international levels, but also his strategic vision, leadership, and commitment to athlete development. As a long-time competitor, coach, and mentor, Matt has played an instrumental role in building opportunities for fighters of all ages and abilities — both at Oubaitori Karate Club and beyond.

In this new position, Matt will help shape the future of WKU England by supporting competition structures, expanding accessibility, developing clubs and coaches, and strengthening the path for those representing England on the world stage.

We’re incredibly proud to see his hard work acknowledged at this level and excited to watch the impact he’ll have on the wider martial arts community.

WKU Interclub Success – A Big Day for Our Emerging Squad!

On Sunday, our newly emerging competition squad travelled to Swadlincote to take part in the WKU Interclub — an event filled with talent, energy, and some seriously tough rounds across Kata, Kumite, and Points Fighting.

For many of our athletes, it was their first-ever time stepping onto the competition mats, and every single one of them showed the courage, focus, and perseverance that defines the OKC spirit. Competing takes guts — whether it’s your debut or your hundredth match — and we’re incredibly proud of each and every student who represented the club.

Competition Results

Kata

• Gold – Zeej
• Bronze – Ciaran

Kumite

• Silver – Logan
• Bronze – Leo
• Bronze – Ciaran
• Bronze – Zeej
• Bronze – Arnus
• Bronze – Olia

Points Fighting

• Silver – Arnus
• Silver – Logan
• Bronze – Leo
• Bronze – Zeej

A huge thank you to Matthew Hyndman and his team for running a smooth, welcoming event and creating a positive atmosphere for athletes to grow. And of course, massive gratitude to all the parents and supporters who made the journey and cheered from the sidelines — your encouragement means everything.

This event marked a big step forward for our team, and it’s just the beginning. Keep showing up, keep learning, and keep putting in the work — the future is bright for Team OKC!

Throughout the day, hundreds of teenagers were introduced to our club’s unique blend of traditional martial values and modern sport karate through high-energy demonstrations, short interactive workshops, and meaningful conversations about safety, confidence, and resilience.

The enthusiasm was electric, with students showing genuine interest, asking brilliant questions, and even giving some moves a try. It was clear that the spirit of martial arts — discipline, respect, strength, and control — resonated with many of them.

A Huge Thank You

We’d like to thank Ken Stimpson School for the warm welcome and for organising such an important initiative focused on empowering young people and promoting safer choices. It was a privilege to be involved, and we’re already looking forward to future collaborations.

f you were one of the students who joined us and want to find out more about training with OKC, visit our Join Us page or come down for a free trial session!

Train smart. Train strong. Train safe.

#SaferFebruary #OubaitoriForGood #CommunityKarate

Introducing Our New Oubaitori Fight Suits – Powered by Combat Fight Gear

We’re proud to unveil our brand-new fight suits for Points and Light Continuous competition — custom-designed for performance, unity, and unmistakable OKC spirit!

These sharp, modern suits — produced in partnership with Combat Fight Gear — feature:

• Lightweight, flexible material for full range of movement
• Breathable design to handle high-intensity rounds
• Striking black and blue Oubaitori branding down the legs and sleeves
• Custom badge and trim details that highlight our team identity

Pictured above are Leo, Sensei Matt, and Zeej rocking the new gear after a hard-fought Friday Fighters session. The suits aren’t just a uniform — they’re a reflection of the team we’ve built and the standard we represent.

Whether you’re stepping into the ring or training for your next match, these suits are made to move with you and stand out for all the right reasons.

A massive thank you to Combat Fight Gear for the excellent work bringing our vision to life!

A Special Visit from Coton Bushido – Friday Fighters in Action!

Our Friday Fighters session wrapped up the week with strength, sweat, and smiles — and this one was extra special! We had the pleasure of welcoming Sensei Dom Scott and his son James from Coton Bushido to join us for an evening of focused training and great martial arts spirit.

It was fantastic to train alongside like-minded martial artists and to share ideas, energy, and that signature Oubaitori grit. Huge thanks to Sensei Dom and James for making the journey to train with us — we hope you both enjoyed the session as much as we did, and we look forward to the next one!

OKC Featured in the 

Peterborough Telegraph

for WKU English Championship Success!

We are proud to announce that Oubaitori Karate Club has been featured in the Peterborough Telegraph, both in print and online, following an incredible performance by our team at the WKU English Championships 2025.

The article, titled “Local karate kids win English titles in style”, celebrates the efforts and success of our young athletes, particularly Leo Johnson and Zachary Giles, who both delivered standout performances at this national-level event held in Worcester.

Read the full article here:

Peterborough Telegraph – Karate kids win English titles

Athlete Highlights

Leo Johnson

• Gold – Kumite, 30–35kg Senior Grades (U12)
• Bronze – Kumite, -30kg Junior Grades (U12)
• Leo’s incredible performance earned him a place on the WKU England Team for the upcoming World Championships in Germany, where he will represent his country alongside his father and coach, Sensei Matt Johnson.

Zachary Giles

• Gold – Kata, Junior Grades
• Silver – Kumite, Junior Grades
• Zachary’s achievement is especially impressive given that he’s only been training for six months. His focus, attitude, and effort were second to none — a rising star at OKC!

Community Recognition

We are thrilled to see our students recognised not just within the dojo, but by our wider community. It’s a wonderful reflection of the passion, dedication, and resilience our club fosters in every student — young and old.

To quote the article:

“Both boys impressed the judges with their skills and composure, reflecting the high standard of training they receive at Oubaitori Karate Club.”

A big thank you to the Peterborough Telegraph for supporting grassroots martial arts and highlighting the success of our students and club. We’re excited for what’s to come — especially Germany 2025!

Article originally published in the Peterborough Telegraph, January 2025. Photo credit: PT / Oubaitori Karate Club.

Results:

Leo

• Gold – Kumite 9–12 Years, 30–35kg, Senior Grades
• Bronze – Kumite 9–12 Years, -30kg, Junior Grades

Zeej

• Gold – Kata 9–12 Years, Junior Grades
• Silver – Kumite 9–12 Years, 40–45kg, Junior Grades
• Runner-Up – Kumite 9–12 Years, Senior Grades

We could not be prouder of how both Leo and Zeej performed. Both boys demonstrated incredible technique, focus, and fighting spirit throughout the day, stepping up against tough competition and showing exactly what OKC is all about.

The dedication, hard work, and relentless training you’ve both put in are clear to see — and these results are richly deserved.

“Place on the Plane” – Germany 2025!

A special shout-out to Leo, whose gold medal performance has officially secured his place on the England Team for the WKU World Championships 2025 in Germany !

Leo will now join his Sensei (and dad), Sensei Matt, to compete together on the world stage later this year. It’s a huge milestone, and the whole OKC family is incredibly proud of you. The road ahead will be tough, but with the backing of your team and the work ethic you’ve shown, we know you’ll make us all proud.

Keep up the hard work, both of you.

The journey to greatness is built on dedication, perseverance, and the love of the art — and you’re both living proof of that.

#TeamOKC

It was a fantastic day, and it was inspiring to meet so many students demonstrating true martial qualities — attitude, etiquette, and perseverance — throughout the sessions.

Sensei Dom Scott, head instructor at Coton Bushido, said:

“It was great to have Sensei Matt’s experience, talent, and positive vibes — a brilliant day enjoyed by all!”

We’re deeply grateful to Sensei Dom and the Coton Bushido students for the warm welcome and excellent spirit shown on the day. We look forward to more collaboration and training opportunities in the future!

You can read Coton Bushido’s original article about the grading here:

Coton Bushido Karate Club – School News

Photo credit: Coton Church of England Primary School Karate Club webpage.