BrisKarate Welcomes Australian Soke Cup Head Coach for Special Squad Training Night
All smiles after a strong night training with Martin Phillips Renshi and Sandra Phillips Renshi.
Last week marked the official start of BrisKarate’s 2026 Soke Cup campaign, with our first Soke Cup Squad training session of the year — and it was a night to remember. With the Soke Cup just months away, the countdown is well and truly on as our students begin their final preparation for the most prestigious karate event in the Chito-Ryu calendar.
The Soke Cup will be held on the Gold Coast from August 13–15, and is only staged once every three years, bringing together elite competitors from all around the globe. To begin this journey with such a high-calibre training opportunity set the tone for what promises to be an exciting year ahead.
A Special evening
This training night was particularly significant as it marked the first-ever visit of Sensei Martin Phillips (Godan, Renshi) and Sensei Sandra Phillips (Godan, Renshi) to the BrisKarate dojo. Head instructors of Sunshine Coast Karate (SCK), Martin and Sandra Sensei are the highest-ranked instructors in Queensland and among the most highly ranked and respected karate teachers in Australia.
To put their ranks into perspective for families new to karate:
Godan represents 5th level black belt, a level that only a very small percentage of martial artists ever reach.
Renshi is an advanced teaching title meaning “Teacher of Teachers”, and is the second-highest international teaching rank achievable in Chito-Ryu.
Also joining them were their children, Sensei Sami Phillips and Sempai Steven Phillips, both accomplished black belts in their own right, adding to the depth of experience and inspiration present on the night.
Further highlighting the importance of the occasion, Sensei Sandra Phillips is the Head Coach of the Australian Team for the Soke Cup, making this an invaluable opportunity for our students to train directly under the person responsible for guiding Australia’s representatives on the world stage.
Martin Phillips Renshi and Sandra Phillips Renshi, head instructors at Sunshine Coast Karate (pictured left)
Two Classes, Two Purposes
To ensure that all BrisKarate students could benefit from this rare opportunity, the evening began with a special Friday night class open to all students, led by Sensei Martin. This allowed students of all levels to experience his teaching style, technical knowledge, and attention to detail firsthand.
BrisKarate students learning from Martin Phillips Renshi (above)
Following this, our dedicated Soke Cup squad class was held for Brisbane students preparing to compete at the Soke Cup for the first time. This session, led by Sensei Sandra, focused on refining competition-specific technique, sharpening execution, and preparing students for the standards expected at an international event.
Across both sessions, students received individual attention, detailed corrections, and insights that are only possible when learning from instructors with decades of elite-level experience.
Sandra Phillips Renshi sharing some competition insight with BrisKarate students (above).
What our Students Gained
Throughout the night, students benefited from one-on-one instruction and deep dives into what makes technique not just look correct, but actually be effective, through a clear focus on the basics. They were able to observe elite standards in action and gain clarity on the small details that make a big difference in the execution of an effective technique.
Marting Phillips Renshi demonstrating the importance of foot position for Yoko Geri (side kick) with Sempai Steven Phillips.
For many of our first-time Soke Cup competitors, the biggest takeaway went beyond physical technique. Sensei Sandra placed strong emphasis on the mental side of competition — calmness under pressure, confidence built through preparation, and the power of visualisation. These lessons provided students with tools they can apply not only in competition, but in training and life beyond the dojo.
Why This Matters for BrisKarate
Opportunities like this reflect BrisKarate’s commitment to being part of the strong, vibrant, and supportive Chito-Ryu karate community, at a state, national and international level. Exposure to national-level coaching ensures our students are learning current, relevant, and high-quality material aligned with international standards.
More importantly, it reinforces our philosophy of long-term development — preparing students properly, building strong foundations, and never rushing the process. Whether a student’s goal is international competition or personal growth, we believe they deserve access to the very best instruction available.
Looking Ahead to August
With the Soke Cup fast approaching, this training night marked a powerful starting point for our Brisbane squad’s journey in the final push towards August. We are deeply grateful to Sensei Martin, Sensei Sandra, Sensei Sami Phillips, and Sempai Steven Phillips for their generosity, guidance, and support, and for making their first visit to our dojo such a memorable one.
We are incredibly proud of our Brisbane students and look forward to continuing their preparation as they represent themselves, our dojo, and Australia with dedication and spirit in August.
