An interview fragment with UFC athlete’s father Clarence Thatch for a documentary movie “The Rukus” was shot at the Dojo earlier this week. Okinawa Karate | Denver Shotokan Karate | Kids Martial Arts

An interview fragment with UFC athlete’s father Clarence Thatch for a documentary movie “The Rukus” was shot at the Dojo earlier this week.

A few days ago at our Dojo we had a professional video interview with Clarence Thatch (Nickname: “The Zen Master”) for a documentary movie “the Rukus” about his son Denver based UFC fighter Brandon Rukus Thatch.

The life story and the martial arts journey told by Clarence Thatch is fascinating. He is a true warrior with the values and mentality of a real samurai! His is an MMA legend, professional boxer and kickboxer, with a background in Sambo, Muy-Thai, Kung Fu and … even full contact Kyokushinkai Karate who won many World Championship titles. ?? No gloves or pads back then – old school!

Clarence lives only a few minutes away from our Dojo and promised to stop by and share his martial arts journey with our students ??

We are very excited to see how the movie will turn out! We will keep you posted once it is available on one of the national streaming platforms.

 

ABOUT THE MOVIE:
(from official production site www.offthemap.media)

“… The Rukus tells story of mixed martial artist and UFC welterweight Brandon Thatch as he tries to become a world champion in one of the most polarizing sports in the world. From spectacular wins, to devastating losses, this film follows Brandon into the elite world of the UFC and explores the reasons he and other MMA fighters participate in what is considered one of the most violent and brutal sports on the planet. MMA is marketed to the public as “bloodsport” and, as a result, it has garnered millions of die-hard supporters and harsh critics alike.

Brandon’s personal story offers an alternative narrative to the one articulated by the media and the UFC. Through unique access to Brandon, along with current and former World Champions in the UFC, this film confronts issues of violence head on, forcing participants, and fans, to think question their participation in this sport and culture.”

Watch us on YouTube

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- Who are we?
- OKINAWANice work today, Team!#karatebros #dreamteamokinawa #senseilife #okinawadojo #karatekid

- Who are we?
- OKINAWA

Nice work today, Team!

#karatebros #dreamteamokinawa #senseilife #okinawadojo #karatekid
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A few words from our guest athlete Mateo Nacu about his experience at the High Caliber Denver.
Mateo finished 1st in Kata and 1st in Kumite at this karate event in Denver, Colorado.
Congratulations, champ!𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐜𝐮
World Ranking #4 🌎
PKF 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥈🥈🥈🥉
Youth League 🥇🥉🥉Thank you 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐜𝐮 @jaynacu from @ensokarate for bringing your team and supporting our tournament! 🤝
Your guidance shines through in the success of your students. Best of luck!🎥 @jrlarroche#usakarate #dreamteamokinawa #karatebros #highcaliberdenver #karatedenver #ensokarate #athleteinterview

A few words from our guest athlete Mateo Nacu about his experience at the High Caliber Denver.
Mateo finished 1st in Kata and 1st in Kumite at this karate event in Denver, Colorado.
Congratulations, champ!

𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐜𝐮
World Ranking #4 🌎
PKF 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥈🥈🥈🥉
Youth League 🥇🥉🥉

Thank you 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐜𝐮 @jaynacu from @ensokarate for bringing your team and supporting our tournament! 🤝
Your guidance shines through in the success of your students. Best of luck!

🎥 @jrlarroche

#usakarate #dreamteamokinawa #karatebros #highcaliberdenver #karatedenver #ensokarate #athleteinterview
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Sensei Noël Nkuranyabahizi @coachnoel250 traveled all the way from Rwanda to support the High Caliber Denver tournament!We appreciate your help with officiating and the positive energy you brought. Looking forward to welcoming you and your team back in 2026! @thechampionssportsacademy#highcaliberdenver #okinawadojo #usakarate #senseilife #karatebros #karateunites

Sensei Noël Nkuranyabahizi @coachnoel250 traveled all the way from Rwanda to support the High Caliber Denver tournament!

We appreciate your help with officiating and the positive energy you brought. Looking forward to welcoming you and your team back in 2026! @thechampionssportsacademy

#highcaliberdenver #okinawadojo #usakarate #senseilife #karatebros #karateunites
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🆂🅴🅴 🆈🅾🆄 🅽🅴🆇🆃 🆈🅴🅰🆁! 👊
💥 High Caliber Denver sends a huge THANK YOU for making this year’s event the best one yet!🎥 Relive the action with this incredible video by Ricardo Larroche with JRL - a true highlight of the tournament! @jrlarroche🇺🇸 History in the making! This was the first USA Karate-sanctioned event of 2025, and we’re beyond grateful for the National Karate Federation’s support @usakarate . Your backing helped us take this event to the next level. #LevelUp👫🫶💃🏼 Team Okinawa - you are simply the best! This wouldn’t have been possible without you.🕺 Referees & Judges - your exceptional performance kept the competition at the highest standard. Domo Arigato Gozaimashita!👨‍⚕️⛑️👩‍⚕️ To our dedicated medical team - Mile High Internal Medicine, thank you for ensuring every athlete received top-notch care. @ermin.kreso🌺 A touch of beauty! The stunning floral arrangements at the podium and VIP table were hard to miss. Huge shoutout to Amanda & Marchello @amanda_theflorist @marchellosfloral did you know those flowers were real? 🫶We extend our gratitude to all Coaches, Senseis, Athletes, and club owners who supported our tournament this year!This year was nothing short of phenomenal! A special shoutout to our amazing Karate Brothers, Vitaly and Alex Padalka, our diligent team manager Laura Hansen @lauraj_hansen , and our operations manager Arturo Fuentes @the_fuga_studio . To all the volunteers, staff, and supporters—your invaluable efforts made this celebration of karate possible. We’re deeply grateful, and your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed!🎨Shoutout to our amazing designer, Andrew Moroz @maroscreative His eye-catching designs truly elevated the event.
🥇 A special thank you to Sensei Paco Gomez @pacogomez21 the master of production, who helped bring it all to life!🔒 Commitment to excellence! We upheld the highest standards by ensuring all officials, coaches, 18+ athletes, and even medics completed SafeSport training.🔥 We’ll see you again next year!#dreamteamokinawa #karatebros #highcaliberdenver #usakarate #okinawadojo #senseilife #karatedenver

🆂🅴🅴 🆈🅾🆄 🅽🅴🆇🆃 🆈🅴🅰🆁! 👊
💥 High Caliber Denver sends a huge THANK YOU for making this year’s event the best one yet!

🎥 Relive the action with this incredible video by Ricardo Larroche with JRL - a true highlight of the tournament! @jrlarroche

🇺🇸 History in the making! This was the first USA Karate-sanctioned event of 2025, and we’re beyond grateful for the National Karate Federation’s support @usakarate . Your backing helped us take this event to the next level. #LevelUp

👫🫶💃🏼 Team Okinawa - you are simply the best! This wouldn’t have been possible without you.

🕺 Referees & Judges - your exceptional performance kept the competition at the highest standard. Domo Arigato Gozaimashita!

👨‍⚕️⛑️👩‍⚕️ To our dedicated medical team - Mile High Internal Medicine, thank you for ensuring every athlete received top-notch care. @ermin.kreso

🌺 A touch of beauty! The stunning floral arrangements at the podium and VIP table were hard to miss. Huge shoutout to Amanda & Marchello @amanda_theflorist @marchellosfloral did you know those flowers were real? 🫶

We extend our gratitude to all Coaches, Senseis, Athletes, and club owners who supported our tournament this year!

This year was nothing short of phenomenal! A special shoutout to our amazing Karate Brothers, Vitaly and Alex Padalka, our diligent team manager Laura Hansen @lauraj_hansen , and our operations manager Arturo Fuentes @the_fuga_studio . To all the volunteers, staff, and supporters—your invaluable efforts made this celebration of karate possible. We’re deeply grateful, and your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed!

🎨Shoutout to our amazing designer, Andrew Moroz @maroscreative His eye-catching designs truly elevated the event.
🥇 A special thank you to Sensei Paco Gomez @pacogomez21 the master of production, who helped bring it all to life!

🔒 Commitment to excellence! We upheld the highest standards by ensuring all officials, coaches, 18+ athletes, and even medics completed SafeSport training.

🔥 We’ll see you again next year!

#dreamteamokinawa #karatebros #highcaliberdenver #usakarate #okinawadojo #senseilife #karatedenver
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Happy birthday Sensei Alex, happy birthday Brother!
You are a great man, a talented teacher, an amazing father and husband, a remarkable son, an exceptional friend, and the best brother I could possibly imagine!
I love you and wish you to be happy 🫶
Enjoy every day of life, achieve new heights, and continue making a difference!
Proud to be your brother ❤️
Have a magical birthday!!!#HappyBirthday #SenseiLife #KarateBros

Happy birthday Sensei Alex, happy birthday Brother!
You are a great man, a talented teacher, an amazing father and husband, a remarkable son, an exceptional friend, and the best brother I could possibly imagine!
I love you and wish you to be happy 🫶
Enjoy every day of life, achieve new heights, and continue making a difference!
Proud to be your brother ❤️
Have a magical birthday!!!

#HappyBirthday #SenseiLife #KarateBros
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𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣We had a pleasure of having USA Karate athlete of the year and a Double Pan American champion - Isabela Sanchez @isa.karate at the High Caliber Denver karate championships.This young lady is a great example of true karateka and an awesome person overall.
Congratulations on your strong performance, Isa! 🔥
Btw, next year we will have weight divisions 😉Of course, congratulations to a proud father Sensei Luis Sanchez @luisblackbelt and @floridakarateclubs#karatebros #dreamteamokinawa #highcaliberdenver #senseilife #usakarate #denverhighcaliber #karatedenver #interview🎥 @jrlarroche

𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣

We had a pleasure of having USA Karate athlete of the year and a Double Pan American champion - Isabela Sanchez @isa.karate at the High Caliber Denver karate championships.

This young lady is a great example of true karateka and an awesome person overall.
Congratulations on your strong performance, Isa! 🔥
Btw, next year we will have weight divisions 😉

Of course, congratulations to a proud father Sensei Luis Sanchez @luisblackbelt and @floridakarateclubs

#karatebros #dreamteamokinawa #highcaliberdenver #senseilife #usakarate #denverhighcaliber #karatedenver #interview

🎥 @jrlarroche
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𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝟐 🇺🇸
𝐔𝐒𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏 &
𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏 👊A huge thank you to the incredible instructors—Luis Sanchez @luisblackbelt , Kamran Madani @coach._kam , and Eduard Sagilyan @eduard_sagilyan_  for sharing their expertise and passion!Both studios were buzzing with energy, determination, and a deep love for karate. So many talented athletes came together, eager to learn, grow, and take their skills to the next level. You all are truly inspiring!There are no shortcuts to success—only discipline, commitment, and dedication will take you to the top!Okinawa Dojo was proud to welcome High Caliber Denver participants, Region 2 karateka, and guests from across the country.HOSTS:
Vitaly Padalka @vitalyokinawa
Alex Padalka @alexokinawaLet’s keep pushing forward! 💪🥋🔥#karate #USAkarate #noshortcuts #discipline #commitment #dedication
#HighCaliberDenver #dreamteamokinawa #karatebros #senseilife #karatedenver

𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝟐 🇺🇸
𝐔𝐒𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏 &
𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏 👊

A huge thank you to the incredible instructors—Luis Sanchez @luisblackbelt , Kamran Madani @coach._kam , and Eduard Sagilyan @eduard_sagilyan_ for sharing their expertise and passion!

Both studios were buzzing with energy, determination, and a deep love for karate. So many talented athletes came together, eager to learn, grow, and take their skills to the next level. You all are truly inspiring!

There are no shortcuts to success—only discipline, commitment, and dedication will take you to the top!

Okinawa Dojo was proud to welcome High Caliber Denver participants, Region 2 karateka, and guests from across the country.

HOSTS:
Vitaly Padalka @vitalyokinawa
Alex Padalka @alexokinawa

Let’s keep pushing forward! 💪🥋🔥

#karate #USAkarate #noshortcuts #discipline #commitment #dedication
#HighCaliberDenver #dreamteamokinawa #karatebros #senseilife #karatedenver
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🕴️👏
Huge thank you to the team of professional Referees and Judges, whose dedication and passion for the sport elevated this year’s event!
The High Caliber Denver 2025 was a success thanks to all of you.𝟒𝟑 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥:
6 WKF, 8 PKF, 2 International, 27 USA karate licensed officials𝐖𝐊𝐅 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
Chief Referee Fariba Madani
Cyrus Madani
Jay Farrell
Jorge Caro
Dejan Miloshevski
Vincent Garcia𝐏𝐊𝐅 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
Jony Martinez
Julius Parniczky
Mark Lingl
Francisco Gomez
Henry Barnabei
Brandie Robinson
Jordan Fox
Sergey Kushnir𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
Noël Nkuranyabahizi𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
Rony Rodriguez𝐔𝐒𝐀 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
John Bolosan
Candice Tsutsui
Marius Gilca
David Munden
Kamran Madani
Alberto Pereda
Robert Yegikyan
Daniel Meshkov
Anton Livits
Martin Gissa
Kerstin Harring
Daniel Skhisov
Kieu Vu
Yusupov Ali
Andrew Chu
Michelle Miska
Sam Robinson
Helen Cartwright
Tyson House
Eric Ohm
Gino Moraga
Kevin Thomas
Ade Lau
Philippe Lepercq
Ashton Levine
Gonzalo Cubillos
Sokhibdzhon Salimdzhanov@usakarate
#usakarate #officials #referees #judges
#highcaliberdenver #Karatebros

🕴️👏
Huge thank you to the team of professional Referees and Judges, whose dedication and passion for the sport elevated this year’s event!
The High Caliber Denver 2025 was a success thanks to all of you.

𝟒𝟑 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥:
6 WKF, 8 PKF, 2 International, 27 USA karate licensed officials

𝐖𝐊𝐅 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
Chief Referee Fariba Madani
Cyrus Madani
Jay Farrell
Jorge Caro
Dejan Miloshevski
Vincent Garcia

𝐏𝐊𝐅 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
Jony Martinez
Julius Parniczky
Mark Lingl
Francisco Gomez
Henry Barnabei
Brandie Robinson
Jordan Fox
Sergey Kushnir

𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
Noël Nkuranyabahizi

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
Rony Rodriguez

𝐔𝐒𝐀 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:
John Bolosan
Candice Tsutsui
Marius Gilca
David Munden
Kamran Madani
Alberto Pereda
Robert Yegikyan
Daniel Meshkov
Anton Livits
Martin Gissa
Kerstin Harring
Daniel Skhisov
Kieu Vu
Yusupov Ali
Andrew Chu
Michelle Miska
Sam Robinson
Helen Cartwright
Tyson House
Eric Ohm
Gino Moraga
Kevin Thomas
Ade Lau
Philippe Lepercq
Ashton Levine
Gonzalo Cubillos
Sokhibdzhon Salimdzhanov

@usakarate
#usakarate #officials #referees #judges
#highcaliberdenver #Karatebros
...

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