Rik Rutherford
Senior Instructor
Rik Rutherford – 4th Dan
Mo-Ichido England | Karate Profile
Rik Rutherford began his karate journey in 1983 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.
His early competitive career saw numerous successes in both kata and kumite, including winning his first kata competition as a green belt at just 11 years old.
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, further establishing 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.
Teaching and Passing on Knowledge
As his karate experience developed, Rik took on the responsibility of teaching, establishing and running Newhaven Karate Club under Sensei Dave Hazard's Academy of Shotokan Karate.
This marked another important stage in his karate journey, allowing him to move beyond his own personal training and competition to share the knowledge and experience he had gained over the years.
Teaching provided Rik with a different perspective on karate, reinforcing the importance of strong fundamentals, technical understanding and the responsibility that comes with passing on traditional Shotokan karate to others.
His experience as both a competitor and instructor has helped shape his approach to karate, combining the discipline and traditions of Shotokan with the practical understanding gained through years of training and competition.
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 exceptional attention to technical detail with taking his own karate to another level.
Under Sensei Staples' guidance, Rik continued his progression and was awarded his 4th Dan black belt.
After many years in karate, Rik has also once again embraced the challenge of competition, demonstrating that the desire to improve and test oneself remains as strong today as it was during his younger years.
His return to international competition has produced two significant achievements in 2026:
- Bronze Medallist – Team Kumite, WUKF World Karate Championships 2026, Cluj, Romania.
- Silver Medallist – Individual Kumite, WUKF European Karate Championships 2026, Sheffield, England.
These achievements represent an important chapter in Rik's competitive career, demonstrating his continued commitment to training, technical development and competing at international championship level more than four decades after first stepping onto the dojo floor.
Continuing the Journey
From his beginnings at Burgess Hill, representing the SEKU squad and competing during the golden age of British karate, through his years at the Brighton Dojo, establishing Newhaven Karate Club and his continued development under Sensei Simon Staples, Rik's karate journey now spans over four decades.
Despite his experience, grades and competitive achievements, Rik remains committed to the principle that karate is a lifelong journey of learning and self-improvement.
For Rik, achieving grades and winning medals are important milestones, but the true value of karate lies in the continuous pursuit of technical excellence, discipline and personal development.
Now a 4th Dan black belt, World Championship bronze medallist and European Championship silver medallist, Rik continues to train, compete and develop his karate as part of Mo-Ichido England, bringing together decades of experience as a student, competitor and instructor.
More than 40 years after beginning his karate journey, his passion for the art remains as strong as ever.
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Mo-Ichido England | Karate Profile
Rik Rutherford began his karate journey in 1983 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.
His early competitive career saw numerous successes in both kata and kumite, including winning his first kata competition as a green belt at just 11 years old.
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, further establishing 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.
Teaching and Passing on Knowledge
As his karate experience developed, Rik took on the responsibility of teaching, establishing and running Newhaven Karate Club under Sensei Dave Hazard's Academy of Shotokan Karate.
This marked another important stage in his karate journey, allowing him to move beyond his own personal training and competition to share the knowledge and experience he had gained over the years.
Teaching provided Rik with a different perspective on karate, reinforcing the importance of strong fundamentals, technical understanding and the responsibility that comes with passing on traditional Shotokan karate to others.
His experience as both a competitor and instructor has helped shape his approach to karate, combining the discipline and traditions of Shotokan with the practical understanding gained through years of training and competition.
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 exceptional attention to technical detail with taking his own karate to another level.
Under Sensei Staples' guidance, Rik continued his progression and was awarded his 4th Dan black belt.
After many years in karate, Rik has also once again embraced the challenge of competition, demonstrating that the desire to improve and test oneself remains as strong today as it was during his younger years.
His return to international competition has produced two significant achievements in 2026:
- Bronze Medallist – Team Kumite, WUKF World Karate Championships 2026, Cluj, Romania.
- Silver Medallist – Individual Kumite, WUKF European Karate Championships 2026, Sheffield, England.
These achievements represent an important chapter in Rik's competitive career, demonstrating his continued commitment to training, technical development and competing at international championship level more than four decades after first stepping onto the dojo floor.
Continuing the Journey
From his beginnings at Burgess Hill, representing the SEKU squad and competing during the golden age of British karate, through his years at the Brighton Dojo, establishing Newhaven Karate Club and his continued development under Sensei Simon Staples, Rik's karate journey now spans over four decades.
Despite his experience, grades and competitive achievements, Rik remains committed to the principle that karate is a lifelong journey of learning and self-improvement.
For Rik, achieving grades and winning medals are important milestones, but the true value of karate lies in the continuous pursuit of technical excellence, discipline and personal development.
Now a 4th Dan black belt, World Championship bronze medallist and European Championship silver medallist, Rik continues to train, compete and develop his karate as part of Mo-Ichido England, bringing together decades of experience as a student, competitor and instructor.
More than 40 years after beginning his karate journey, his passion for the art remains as strong as ever.