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.”

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10 athletes, 3 coaches, plus an incredible crew of parents and supporters from Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros out of Denver, CO are heading to Fort Worth, Texas tomorrow.We’ll be competing at the Junior International Cup and the US Open.The energy is at the top. Everyone is locked in, focused, and ready to represent.We’re not just going to compete, we’re going to make noise. Big performances, big moments, and a lot of heart coming your way.Wish us luck. We’ll keep you posted.#Karate #USAkarate #KarateUSOpen #DenverKarate #OkinawaDojoByKarateBros PowerHouse LetsGo

10 athletes, 3 coaches, plus an incredible crew of parents and supporters from Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros out of Denver, CO are heading to Fort Worth, Texas tomorrow.

We’ll be competing at the Junior International Cup and the US Open.

The energy is at the top. Everyone is locked in, focused, and ready to represent.

We’re not just going to compete, we’re going to make noise. Big performances, big moments, and a lot of heart coming your way.

Wish us luck. We’ll keep you posted.

#Karate #USAkarate #KarateUSOpen #DenverKarate #OkinawaDojoByKarateBros PowerHouse LetsGo
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LATE POST ⏳An incredible weekend of learning and growth at Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros.World-renowned kata master Sensei Javier Mantilla @javiermantilla3028 shared his knowledge with the next generation of athletes during the High Caliber Denver weekend. As the USA Karate Head Kata Coach and Olympic Kata Coach, Sensei Mantilla brought unmatched energy, precision, and attention to detail - breaking down technique, timing, and performance at an elite level.Advanced, elite, and para-karate athletes from across the country came together to sharpen their skills, deepen their understanding, and push their limits.An inspiring weekend of discipline, growth, and high-level training. 🙏🔥Thank you, Sensei Javier Mantilla!#Kata #Seminar #HighCaliberDenver #OkinawaDojo #USAkarate

LATE POST ⏳

An incredible weekend of learning and growth at Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros.

World-renowned kata master Sensei Javier Mantilla @javiermantilla3028 shared his knowledge with the next generation of athletes during the High Caliber Denver weekend. As the USA Karate Head Kata Coach and Olympic Kata Coach, Sensei Mantilla brought unmatched energy, precision, and attention to detail - breaking down technique, timing, and performance at an elite level.

Advanced, elite, and para-karate athletes from across the country came together to sharpen their skills, deepen their understanding, and push their limits.

An inspiring weekend of discipline, growth, and high-level training. 🙏🔥

Thank you, Sensei Javier Mantilla!

#Kata #Seminar #HighCaliberDenver #OkinawaDojo #USAkarate
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LATE POST
Kumite Seminar with Eduard Sagilyan @eduard_sagilyan_ was held at Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros during the same weekend as the High Caliber Denver tournament, 🗓️ on March 8th.It was truly an unforgettable experience. Eddie brought elite-level insight, intensity, and inspiration to the mat, creating an atmosphere that pushed everyone to elevate their game.Athletes of all ages and levels showed up ready to work, learn, and challenge themselves - and the energy in the room was incredible from start to finish.Thank you to everyone who came out and made this seminar so special. 🙏🔥#EduardSagilyan #HighCaliberDenver #Seminar #USAkarate

LATE POST
Kumite Seminar with Eduard Sagilyan @eduard_sagilyan_ was held at Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros during the same weekend as the High Caliber Denver tournament, 🗓️ on March 8th.

It was truly an unforgettable experience. Eddie brought elite-level insight, intensity, and inspiration to the mat, creating an atmosphere that pushed everyone to elevate their game.

Athletes of all ages and levels showed up ready to work, learn, and challenge themselves - and the energy in the room was incredible from start to finish.

Thank you to everyone who came out and made this seminar so special. 🙏🔥

#EduardSagilyan #HighCaliberDenver #Seminar #USAkarate
...

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Friday night 🔥💪💦
What a great group of Karateka!
Happy to be part of your guys’ journey.
Oss!🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋
#DreamTeamOkinawa
#KarateBros #OkinawaDojo

Friday night 🔥💪💦
What a great group of Karateka!
Happy to be part of your guys’ journey.
Oss!

🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋
#DreamTeamOkinawa
#KarateBros #OkinawaDojo
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USA Karate – REGION 2 Youth Development Camp 🇺🇸🥋
@usakarate
Another awesome Youth Development Camp took place this past weekend (🗓️March 21) at Okinawa Dojo by KarateBros.Led by USA Karate National Trainers, Sensei Vitaly Padalka @vitalyokinawa & Sensei Alexandr Padalka @alexokinawa , the camp brought together a strong group of dedicated young karateka focused on growth, discipline, and high-level training.Huge thank you to all the athletes who showed up ready to work, pushing themselves and supporting one another. The energy, focus, and passion in the room were 🔥This is what the future of USA Karate looks like.#USAKarate #Region2 #YouthDevelopment #OkinawaDojo #KarateBros

USA Karate – REGION 2 Youth Development Camp 🇺🇸🥋
@usakarate
Another awesome Youth Development Camp took place this past weekend (🗓️March 21) at Okinawa Dojo by KarateBros.

Led by USA Karate National Trainers, Sensei Vitaly Padalka @vitalyokinawa & Sensei Alexandr Padalka @alexokinawa , the camp brought together a strong group of dedicated young karateka focused on growth, discipline, and high-level training.

Huge thank you to all the athletes who showed up ready to work, pushing themselves and supporting one another. The energy, focus, and passion in the room were 🔥

This is what the future of USA Karate looks like.

#USAKarate #Region2 #YouthDevelopment #OkinawaDojo #KarateBros
...

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🤩 See you tomorrow
🔥REGION 2 - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CAMP – DENVER 🥋Train with USA Karate National Trainers and take your skills to the next level.This is your opportunity to sharpen technique, gain high-level insight, and grow alongside motivated athletes from across the region.✔️ All levels welcome (non-elite)
✔️ High-level instruction
✔️ Train with athletes from other clubs📅 March 21, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros – Denver, CO💲 Only $65Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your karate.
@usakarate

🤩 See you tomorrow
🔥REGION 2 - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CAMP – DENVER 🥋

Train with USA Karate National Trainers and take your skills to the next level.

This is your opportunity to sharpen technique, gain high-level insight, and grow alongside motivated athletes from across the region.

✔️ All levels welcome (non-elite)
✔️ High-level instruction
✔️ Train with athletes from other clubs

📅 March 21, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros – Denver, CO

💲 Only $65

Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your karate.
@usakarate
...

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This year was truly special
💙 𝓣𝓗𝓐𝓝𝓚 𝓨𝓞𝓤 ❤️2026 High Caliber Denver

This year was truly special
💙 𝓣𝓗𝓐𝓝𝓚 𝓨𝓞𝓤 ❤️

2026 High Caliber Denver
...

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𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 is officially in the books - and what an incredible event it was!
Every year this tournament grows, but this year truly felt special. None of it would be possible without the amazing people who came together to make it happen. ✨First and foremost, to our incredible team of volunteers - thank you! 🙌🙌🙌Parents, athletes, coaches, and friends stepped in wherever help was needed. Many of you took on multiple roles throughout the day and kept everything running smoothly. From scorekeeping, podium coordination, announcing, mat loading, transportation, check-in, coaching support, food runs, DJ duties, and countless behind-the-scenes tasks — every role mattered. Your energy, teamwork, and dedication are the backbone of this event.To our referees and judges - we are truly grateful. 🙏 Thank you for traveling from all across the United States to support High Caliber Denver. We were honored to host officials representing the highest levels of the sport, including WKF, PKF, USA Karate judges and referees. Your professionalism, integrity, and commitment ensured that every match was conducted with fairness and respect for the athletes. A special thank you to our Head Referee - Sensei Fariba Madani @madanifariba for leading such an outstanding officiating team.To everyone who supported this event in any way - thank you.
We were honored by the presence of USA Karate CEO Michael Cain and Director of Sports Brody Burns @bburns229 whose support means a great deal to our community.
A special mention to Denver soul and jazz vocalist Such @iamsuch for a beautiful anthem performance that set the tone for the entire day. Her voice brought a powerful and unforgettable energy to the event.This was our 4th High Caliber Denver - and … ➡️ [𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀]

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 is officially in the books - and what an incredible event it was!
Every year this tournament grows, but this year truly felt special. None of it would be possible without the amazing people who came together to make it happen. ✨

First and foremost, to our incredible team of volunteers - thank you! 🙌🙌🙌Parents, athletes, coaches, and friends stepped in wherever help was needed. Many of you took on multiple roles throughout the day and kept everything running smoothly. From scorekeeping, podium coordination, announcing, mat loading, transportation, check-in, coaching support, food runs, DJ duties, and countless behind-the-scenes tasks — every role mattered. Your energy, teamwork, and dedication are the backbone of this event.

To our referees and judges - we are truly grateful. 🙏 Thank you for traveling from all across the United States to support High Caliber Denver. We were honored to host officials representing the highest levels of the sport, including WKF, PKF, USA Karate judges and referees. Your professionalism, integrity, and commitment ensured that every match was conducted with fairness and respect for the athletes. A special thank you to our Head Referee - Sensei Fariba Madani @madanifariba for leading such an outstanding officiating team.

To everyone who supported this event in any way - thank you.
We were honored by the presence of USA Karate CEO Michael Cain and Director of Sports Brody Burns @bburns229 whose support means a great deal to our community.
A special mention to Denver soul and jazz vocalist Such @iamsuch for a beautiful anthem performance that set the tone for the entire day. Her voice brought a powerful and unforgettable energy to the event.

This was our 4th High Caliber Denver - and … ➡️ [𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀]
...

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