Rik Rutherford
Senior Instructor
Rik Rutherford – 4th Dan
Rik Rutherford began his karate journey at the Burgess Hill School of Shotokan, training under Sensei Chris Carr in the newly formed SEKU – South of England Karate Union.
Karate quickly became an important part of Rik's life. As a young karateka he became a member of the SEKU squad, training and competing during what he remembers as the “golden age” of British karate, an era characterised by strong traditional dojo training alongside an extremely competitive tournament scene.
One of Rik's standout early competitive achievements came in 1987 at the Brighton Corn Exchange. At only 15 years old, he entered the 16–18-year youth kumite category and went on to win the competition.
Following his early years at Burgess Hill, Rik moved on to train at the renowned Brighton Dojo, initially under Sensei Dave Hazard and subsequently under Sensei Jess Lavender. Training at Brighton became another important stage in his development and further established the technical and competitive foundations of his karate.
Rik achieved his 1st Dan black belt in 1987, followed by 2nd Dan in 1993 and 3rd Dan in 2013, with all three gradings conducted by Sensei Dave Hazard.
A New Chapter
In more recent years, Rik has continued his karate journey under the guidance of Sensei Simon Staples, an instructor who has had a profound influence on both his karate and his understanding of the art.
Rik regards Sensei Staples as one of the most technically gifted karateka in the world and credits his guidance, knowledge and attention to technical detail with taking Rik's own karate to another level.
Under Sensei Staples' guidance, Rik continued his progression and achieved his 4th Dan black belt.
After many years in karate, Rik has also once again taken up the challenge of competition. Rather than viewing competition as something belonging solely to his younger years, returning to the competitive arena has become another chapter in his development as a karateka.
That return culminated in 2026, when Rik competed at the WUKF World Karate Championships in Cluj, Romania, where he won a bronze medal in Team Kumite.
From beginning karate at Burgess Hill, representing the SEKU squad and competing as a teenager, through his years at the Brighton Dojo and his continued development under Sensei Simon Staples, Rik's karate journey now spans several decades.
Despite that experience, his approach remains centred on continued improvement. For Rik, achieving grades and winning medals are important milestones, but karate has never been something that is simply completed. There is always another technical detail to understand, another area to improve and another level to strive towards.
Now a 4th Dan and WUKF World Championship medallist, Rik continues to train, compete and develop his karate as part of Mo-Ichido England, bringing with him the experience of his earlier years while continuing to look forward to the next stage of his karate journey.
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Rik Rutherford began his karate journey at the Burgess Hill School of Shotokan, training under Sensei Chris Carr in the newly formed SEKU – South of England Karate Union.
Karate quickly became an important part of Rik's life. As a young karateka he became a member of the SEKU squad, training and competing during what he remembers as the “golden age” of British karate, an era characterised by strong traditional dojo training alongside an extremely competitive tournament scene.
One of Rik's standout early competitive achievements came in 1987 at the Brighton Corn Exchange. At only 15 years old, he entered the 16–18-year youth kumite category and went on to win the competition.
Following his early years at Burgess Hill, Rik moved on to train at the renowned Brighton Dojo, initially under Sensei Dave Hazard and subsequently under Sensei Jess Lavender. Training at Brighton became another important stage in his development and further established the technical and competitive foundations of his karate.
Rik achieved his 1st Dan black belt in 1987, followed by 2nd Dan in 1993 and 3rd Dan in 2013, with all three gradings conducted by Sensei Dave Hazard.
A New Chapter
In more recent years, Rik has continued his karate journey under the guidance of Sensei Simon Staples, an instructor who has had a profound influence on both his karate and his understanding of the art.
Rik regards Sensei Staples as one of the most technically gifted karateka in the world and credits his guidance, knowledge and attention to technical detail with taking Rik's own karate to another level.
Under Sensei Staples' guidance, Rik continued his progression and achieved his 4th Dan black belt.
After many years in karate, Rik has also once again taken up the challenge of competition. Rather than viewing competition as something belonging solely to his younger years, returning to the competitive arena has become another chapter in his development as a karateka.
That return culminated in 2026, when Rik competed at the WUKF World Karate Championships in Cluj, Romania, where he won a bronze medal in Team Kumite.
From beginning karate at Burgess Hill, representing the SEKU squad and competing as a teenager, through his years at the Brighton Dojo and his continued development under Sensei Simon Staples, Rik's karate journey now spans several decades.
Despite that experience, his approach remains centred on continued improvement. For Rik, achieving grades and winning medals are important milestones, but karate has never been something that is simply completed. There is always another technical detail to understand, another area to improve and another level to strive towards.
Now a 4th Dan and WUKF World Championship medallist, Rik continues to train, compete and develop his karate as part of Mo-Ichido England, bringing with him the experience of his earlier years while continuing to look forward to the next stage of his karate journey.