Sword Dojo

26/06/2026

Hey all, Sensei Nick here.

Well, that’s it! Our final class ever wrapped up.

It has been a tremendous journey as both an instructor and as a school, but the dojo is officially closed.

I will never forget entering the dojo for the first time, meeting Sensei Ken, learning my first kata and completing my first class. Without this school, my entire life would have looked completely different: I met my wife at the dojo, and some of my best friends and times have come from training together.

Just like all the memories that will stick with me forever, tonight will be a night I will never forget.

To all our students, please feel free to reach out and let us know how your training goes. You have all been my family and home away from home, and I have never made friends like the ones I’ve made on the mats.

As I said in class, don’t be a stranger.

To quote our founder Sensei Ken, who was always very stoic and finished off his instructing career with us by posting just five words:

“That was a great class.”

04/06/2026

Awesome example of one of our student’s journeys over the last few years.
Since 2001 we have been a home away from home and a place of community for hundreds if not thousands.
Thank you Senpai Tabasom.

03/06/2026

A quick favour from all our students, past and present!
I would really love to see photos! Old gradings, training snaps, memories.
Send them through to our inbox on this page
🙂

29/05/2026

Hello everyone. Sensei Nick here.
For those who weren’t at classes tonight, I’m afraid that we have some pretty sad news.

As of Friday June 26th, Sword Dojo (previously Kobura Karate) will unfortunately be closing its doors.
After providing Hampton park and the surrounding suburbs with martial arts training for a quarter century (25 years!) we will be bowing out on the mats for one last time.

In two weeks time I will be closing all the accounts so all fees will cease as of Friday the 12th of June.

NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS did I ever expect to be writing this.

The dojo has been my home for 15 years - nearly half my entire life. I can still remember my first day of karate as an 8yro, being inspired to become an instructor and one day run my own school, and I even met my wife at the dojo… I learned everything there was to learn about instructing from Sensei Ken, but unfortunately the dojo is also a business, and the current economic climate has reached a point where a small business like the dojo is no longer able to continue.

It is a very bittersweet moment for me and all of our instructors, but as I said tonight in the coming weeks we will go out exactly the way we teach - fighting hard to the bitter end and having lots of fun, smashing pads and drilling with all the friends we’ve made along the way.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions - further updates to follow over the next four weeks as we wind down.

Last of all, don’t be a stranger. Classes will be running as per normal until the very last day and we’d love to see your faces on the mats. I would love to hear about any updates as you all progress on your training journey.

In the words of our founder, Sensei Ken: “Train hard, and train often.”

27/05/2026

ANNOUNCEMENT!
Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances/family emergency there are no instructors available to run classes tonight!
We deeply apologise for the inconvenience.
We will see you all on Friday!
Thank you.

09/05/2026

To all our Karate Mums — Happy Mother’s Day 🥋🤍

24/04/2026

Lest We Forget.

06/04/2026

🚨 REMINDER 🚨

No classes tonight for Easter Monday! We’ll see you all fresh this Wednesday, with normal classes resuming!

⚠️ ATTENTION ⚠️
We are closed on the following days!

Good Friday (3/4/26)
Easter Monday (6/4/26)

04/04/2026

Happy Easter to our Sword Dojo Family! 🍫

31/03/2026

Congratulations to everyone who graded on Monday night!

You all did a superb effort, and it paid off! Thanks to all our helpers, too - we couldn't do it without you! 😊

Back to normal classes tonight, so be on time!