Edsoma NZ Eternal Dragon School of Martial Arts

Wrestling scoring

Today members of EDSOMA stepped beyond the dojo and into service for the wider Wellington community.

Several of our senior students and black belts were involved in supporting the security operations for the Wellington Pride Parade. The work included VIP protection responsibilities, emergency planning support, and coordination alongside Māori Wardens and New Zealand Police to help ensure the event ran safely for everyone attending.

At EDSOMA we often say that martial arts must exist beyond the training floor. Discipline, courage, and responsibility are not just ideas we discuss in class. They are principles that must be lived in the real world.

One of the core purposes of martial training is learning how to stand calmly when others feel unsafe. Events like Pride bring together people from all parts of our community. For some members of the rainbow community, public events can carry real concerns about harassment or intimidation. Today there were a few moments where individuals attempted to bully or disrupt people attending the parade.

This is exactly where the spirit of martial arts must show itself.

EDSOMA teaches that strength is not about dominance. Strength is about protection. It is about standing quietly but firmly against those who try to intimidate others. Our role was simply to ensure people could celebrate freely and safely without conflict escalating.

We were proud to work alongside Māori Wardens and Police who share that same commitment to community safety and dignity. Their presence and professionalism continue to be an important part of keeping public events in Aotearoa safe.

Within EDSOMA we speak often about honour, discipline, and brotherhood. These values are not limited to a particular background, identity, or culture. Our dojo welcomes people from all walks of life. What matters is character, respect, and the willingness to grow.

Today showed what martial arts can look like when those values are put into practice.

Not fighting for ego.
Not proving toughness.
But standing ready when the community needs calm, capable people.

EDSOMA trains martial artists for modern Aotearoa. Strong individuals who understand their responsibility to protect others and contribute positively to the communities around them.

That is the standard we aim to uphold

OSU

We built this school for people who want to be capable, not aggressive.

We train striking, clinch, takedowns, and ground control in one connected system.

Traditional structure, modern pressure testing, real world experience. We were originally a Kung Fu school but we have since evolved.

If your goal is confidence, longevity and ability to protect you are all welcome and now is a good time to start.

4 week free no obligation beginners course available at anytime.

Email preferred for registrations
[email protected]

WKKO NZ
WKKO Kenpo.Kyokushin.Kaikan
Combat Karate League Aotearoa

OSU 🇳🇿🥋

Folks what a year! A tremendous year. Honestly, one of the best years any martial arts school has ever had. We know people are saying it.

Tonight we wrapped up our end-of-year training and prize giving, and the results are in, they are big, and they are well deserved.

🏆 Most Successful Newcomer: Lorcan
Came in strong. Learned fast. Absolute winner. We love to see it.

🏆 Most Improved Member of EDSOMA: Eli
Huge improvement. Night and day. Put in the mahi, did the work, and it shows. Fantastic.

🏆 Top Fighter of 2025: Luca
Dominant. Consistent. A real problem for anyone who steps in front of him. Top fighter no debate and his own records show it.

We are very proud of our entire school. From our early childhood programme leaders (the best, by the way), to our youth class leaders, to our adult fighters team who bring it every single session. Just outstanding.

And then there’s our specialist training team… wow. Leading the way in community self-defence. Massive success in women’s self-defence programmes. Special programmes for vulnerable communities. Defensive tactics training for security agencies right across Aotearoa and beyond.

We also had several of our older members rejoin the fighters ranks this year. Very successful, very tough, but more importantly, they reminded us of something important: have fun, enjoy the journey, don’t forget why we started. Great people. Great energy.

To all our friends and partner organisations thank you. We appreciate you. We really do. Strong relationships. Great support. Couldn’t do it without you.

That’s all from us for 2025. An incredible year. A winning year.

Have a wonderful Christmas, enjoy the break, stay safe and we’ll see you in the new year, bigger, stronger, and better than ever.

OSU 🎄🥋

EDSOMA Martial Arts Hosts Thrilling CKLA Tournament!

Wellington, 13 July 2025 – On Saturday, 12 July, EDSOMA Martial Arts had the honour of hosting the Combat Karate League Aotearoa (CKLA) July tournament at our home base in Berhampore. It was a proud moment for our team to showcase true community spirit and martial arts hospitality.

The event featured an exciting fight card, with athletes from both Sanchin Freestyle Karate and EDSOMA stepping onto the mat to compete in combat karate and wrestling matches. Each bout demonstrated not only technical skill and athleticism, but also the individual flair and fighting spirit that defines the CKLA ethos.

All competitors showed remarkable growth, courage, and heart—turning the event into more than just a competition. It was a celebration of martial arts in its purest form.

Feedback from fighters, coaches, and spectators alike was overwhelmingly positive. What stood out the most, however, was the appreciation expressed by fighters for WKKO NZ & CKLA’s commitment to fairness and integrity. In this league, there are no politics—just clean fights where winners win, and those who fall short walk away with valuable lessons.

EDSOMA is proud to be part of this growing martial arts movement and looks forward to hosting and competing in many more events like this.

Thanks to WKKO Kenpo.Kyokushin.Kaikan for their support and leadership as well as Sanchin Freestyle Karate, all fighters, officals and coaches for making this happen

OSU

Today we attended WKKO NZ’s combat karate seminars. One of the principal styles showcased in this format was Sanchin Karate, an art that has deeply impressed me throughout my decades of martial practice and study.

Karate, in its truest form, was never merely about the act of fighting. Its original mission was the cultivation of strong, resilient character through the strengthening of the body. From my years working alongside Japanese police colleagues, I came to appreciate how karate historically served to instill discipline, courage, and even patriotism in a generation of young men before the Second World War.

Among all the systems I have encountered, Sanchin Karate distinguishes itself through its intelligent integration of tradition and innovation. Created and developed by Shihan Izzy Lewis, this style honours classical karate while simultaneously adapting to the demands of contemporary unarmed combat. Its syllabus blends stand-up striking, transitional movement, and a functional ground game in a cohesive and progressive framework.

If I were to choose a style to entrust with the development of my own children, it would be Sanchin Karate — for its ability to preserve the traditional spirit of karate while preparing students for the practical realities of the modern world.

A sincere commendation to Shihan Lewis and the WKKO NZ team for providing such an invaluable learning experience today

🥋 Combat Sports Seminar: Grappling & Striking Mastery 🤼‍♂️

WKKO NZ is proud to host an exclusive seminar led by two of the best in the business:

🔥 Shihan Izzy Lewis — a champion in full-contact karate and kickboxing, with years of proven success in the ring and on the mats.

🔥 Sensei Mike Hall — a fighter who has competed in Kyokushin, Sanda, and multiple wrestling and grappling tournaments across New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

These decorated champions are sharing their hard-earned skills with you, covering:

✅ Full-contact karate fundamentals
✅ Practical grappling for combat sports
✅ Striking and takedown integration
✅ Drills, techniques, and live practice

This is a grassroots seminar for all levels — a rare opportunity to learn directly from elite competitors with real fight experience.

📅 Saturday 5 July
📍 Stokes Valley Community centre
💥 Spots are limited — book now and take your skills to the next level!

Berhampore’s Bruisers Are Back

Following a hiatus from competition, EDSOMA’s Ringi John and Mike Hall made a triumphant return to the spotlight, demonstrating exceptional control at the WKKO NZ and Combat Karate League Aotearoa fight card.
Ringi John, a seasoned veteran of multiple dojo wars, leveraged his decades of experience to secure first place in the Men’s Full Contact combined martial arts division. He showcased mastery by closing the distance, delivering powerful strikes, and maintaining control until victory was assured.
Mike Hall displayed a distinct approach in the Open Grappling Division, utilizing heavy hands, relentless pressure, and unstoppable throws.
This achievement is not attributable to luck or hype.
Rather, it is a testament to old-school grit, rebuilt and reborn.
EDSOMA’s bruisers are back… and they’re only getting stronger.

Today is the day
Doors open soon. See our other channels for footage,

Good luck !

For Immediate Release
January 22, 2025

Exciting Announcements for 2025 from our Martial Arts Collective

The martial arts community is set to kick off 2025 with a bang, as Sanchin Freestyle Karate, Combat Karate League Aotearoa, WKKO NZ, and EDSOMA come together to bring you an exciting year of tournaments, camaraderie, and competition.

Key Updates for 2025:
• New Tournament Series: Starting this year, we are proud to announce a series of four tournaments hosted collectively by our organizations. These events promise to deliver thrilling action and provide a platform for martial artists of all affiliations to showcase their skills.
• Save These Dates:
1. February 22, 2025 – Our first tournament kicks off at 1400hrs at Berhampore School Hall, hosted by EDSOMA. This is our tournament to officially welcome the year of the snake!
2. April 2025 – The second tournament will be hosted by Sanchin Freestyle Karate, with the exact date and location to be confirmed.
3. April 2025 – Join us as we celebrate EDSOMA’s 17th birthday! Details to come.
4. July 2025 – EDSOMA will host the third tournament of the series.
5. October 2025 – All factions unite for a main event tournament, closing the year in spectacular fashion.
• Event Formats:
Our competitions will feature two dynamic and crowd-favorite formats:
• Full Contact Karate
• Wrestling

Open Invitation:
We invite all martial artists, regardless of affiliation, to join us in these events. Whether you’re an experienced competitor or a first-time participant, these tournaments are an opportunity to test your skills, meet fellow martial artists, and celebrate the spirit of combat sports.

Let’s make 2025 a year to remember in the martial arts community!

For further updates, stay tuned to our official channels or reach out to your respective organizations.

Wishing everyone a successful and action-packed 2025!

Contact:
Combat Karate League Aotearoa
Sanchin Freestyle Karate
WKKO NZ
Or your local EDSOMA branch for more information.