About Us
Our Founder & Lead Instructor
Shihan (Master Teacher) David Hitchman
Gōdō Martial Arts is led by Shihan David Hitchman, who brings approximately 40 years of martial arts experience to the school.
David has trained and taught across several martial arts disciplines and holds multiple black belt qualifications, including 6th Dan grades in Freestyle Sport Karate and Freestyle Sport Kickboxing and 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate.
His experience encompasses both traditional martial arts training and the modern, sport-oriented approach represented by Freestyle Sport Karate and Kickboxing.
That combination has helped shape the Gōdō approach:
Keep the discipline.
Keep the standards.
Keep the respect.
But make martial arts accessible, practical and enjoyable for today’s students.
David’s role is not simply to teach techniques. It is to help students develop their own ability, confidence and understanding of martial arts — regardless of their starting point.
You can check his blackbelt status here National Blackbelt register (NBBR)
Gōdō Martial Arts is a professionally run martial arts club specialising in karate and semi contact kickboxing. We provide structured, age‑appropriate training for children, teenagers, and adults, with a strong focus on safety, controlled sparring, fitness, confidence, and respect.
At Gōdō Martial Arts, we are dedicated to developing confident, disciplined, and skilled martial artists in a supportive and respectful environment.
Our training is built on three core principles that guide everything we do – on and off the mat.
Our Core Values:
Strength
Strength is more than physical power. We develop physical fitness and martial ability while encouraging students to build mental resilience, confidence and self-belief. We want every student to discover that they are capable of more than they initially believed.
Respect
Respect is fundamental to martial arts and the heart of Gōdō. We respect our instructors, our training partners, our opponents and ourselves, fostering a positive and inclusive community for all ages and abilities. Gōdō is built around a positive training culture where students support one another, train safely and understand that martial arts is about developing character as well as ability.
Skill without respect is not mastery.
Skill
Martial arts is a skill, it takes time, practice, repetition and patience to develop good technique. Our training focuses on developing sound fundamentals, effective technique, timing, movement, control and the ability to apply those skills under pressure. Grades are an important part of the journey, but the belt is not the destination.
The real achievement is becoming a better martial artist than you were yesterday.
Our Philosophy
Gōdō Martial Arts is more than just learning techniques – it is a journey of personal growth. We believe martial arts should empower individuals, build character, and provide practical skills that extend into everyday life.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced martial artist, Gōdō offers a place to train, grow, and succeed.
Training with Purpose
We believe that training should be challenging without being intimidating.
Students are encouraged to work hard and push themselves, but safety and control remain fundamental.
Our training includes technical development, fitness, pad work, partner drills and controlled sparring, allowing students to develop the ability to apply what they have learned in a realistic but structured environment.
We train hard.
We train safely.
We train with purpose.
Professional Standards
Gōdō is committed to providing a professional and responsible training environment.
Our instructors are required to maintain appropriate qualifications, safeguarding training, first-aid training, DBS checks and insurance.
The school is affiliated with recognised martial arts organisations, providing students with an appropriate framework for training, grading and development.
Our standards matter because students and parents should be able to train with confidence, knowing that their safety and development are taken seriously.
Our Instructors
All of our instructors hold recognised qualifications, enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding training, first aid and full insurance.
We opened our new venue in Liss, Hampshire on 22nd July 2026.
