KARATE GENEVE SHOTOKAN - Les Entraînements

Our offer...
	competent and dynamic supervision tailored to everyone...
	*a flawless technical guarantee - “form is strong when it is right”*
	so-called “Special” training courses - unique experiences in the life of a karateka
	friendly gatherings for joint training sessions and activities
	examinations following a precise methodology and objective criteria

The instructors

Patrick MOTTET Godan, Shihan SSK	Christian SIERRO Godan (5.DAN)	Grégoire MOTTIER Godan (5.DAN)
Patrick MOTTET was born on October 27, 1957, in Saint-Maurice (VS). He began karate lessons at the age of eleven, in 1968, under the guidance of Bernard CHERIX at the Dojo in Sion, which at the time was still called the “Institut des sports de combat Sion” (Sion Combat Sports Institute). This encounter led to a friendship that lasted forty years, until Bernard Cherix's death. Patrick passed his Shodan (1st DAN) exam in 1975, before obtaining the rank of Nidan (2nd DAN) in 1977, Sandan (3rd DAN) in 1982, Yodan (4th DAN) in 1988, and then receiving his Godan (5th DAN) diploma from Master OHSHIMA. He has been running the Geneva Dojo since it was founded in 1982.	Christian SIERRO was born on November 21, 1959, in Sion. At the age of 14, in 1973, he began practicing karate at the Sion dojo under the guidance of Bernard Cherix, with Georges Zermatten as his senior. Over the next two years, he was able to attend Alain Gabrielli's five-day technical courses in Sion. Gabrielli was then a Sandan in France Shotokan. His first special training course, led by Alain Gabrielli, took place the following year in Vissoie in Valais. Christian assisted Patrick Mottet in setting up the Geneva dojo in 1982, the club where he has been training ever since. In 1983, he had the opportunity to practice in various dojos in Los Angeles. In 1984, he was part of the Swiss competition team at the 20th anniversary of France Shotokan in Paris. He passed his Godan in 2014 during the 50th anniversary of France Shotokan. He was administrative president of Suisse Shotokan from 2009 to 2012 and then served as president of the black belt council from 2012 to 2015.	Grégoire MOTTIER was born on November 15, 1959, in Sion. He began practicing karate in 1976 at the Karate Club Valais, led by Jean-Claude Knupfer, where he gained solid experience in competitive karate. During this period, he met Patrick Mottet, whom he joined in 1982 when the Geneva Dojo was created, and de facto joined the ranks of Suisse Shotokan Karate (SSK). That same year, he participated in his first special training course in Vichy with Patrick Mottet and Christian Sierro, before continuing with his subsequent grades. His interest in the circulation of “Chi” in martial arts is currently complemented by training as a Shiatsu therapist (ISS Carouge School). During the 60th anniversary celebrations of France Shotokan in Marseille, he obtained his Godan on July 7, 2024.

Dojo practice...

A Dojo training session, while not immutably fixed in an overly rigid manner, follows much the same pattern:

- the warm-up, lasting around 15 to 20 minutes, which is an essential prerequisite for all training, on the physical, physiological and psychological levels,

- the "KIHON", a series of repetitions, on the spot or on the move, of so-called "basic" techniques, to improve individual technique and concentration,

- the "KUMITE", i.e. two-person exercises in so-called "conventional" forms of assault, in which attacker and defender are designated in advance (the level of attack - medium or high - is often specified)

There are several types of assault of this kind:

- the "IPPON KUMITE", assault on an agreed attack, with blocking (or dodging) followed by counter-attack,

- the "JIYU IPPON KUMITE" is a freer form with a generally agreed attack, alternating and moving, approaching a "real" fight,

- the "SANBON KUMITE", or sequence of attacks over three steps, in which the defender simply absorbs or dodges, with the counter-attack only coming on the last step,

- the "JU KUMITE", reserved for more advanced practitioners, is a freer, but non-refereed fight, more akin to working together than to a sporting confrontation,

- the "IAI", a seemingly simple ultimate form, but requiring a great deal of in-depth work to grasp all its secrets.
It's no coincidence, moreover, that this form is a major component of the highest rank exam (Godan.- 5th Dan)

- the "KATA", a kind of "choreography", codified sequences of varied techniques, whose tireless repetition enables us to "decode" them to find forms of application, whether in combat or self-defense.

- A "return to calm" for a few minutes, with or without breathing exercises.

Technical training courses (national)

Technical training course (national)

The Technical Management is appointed by the Shihan and, by delegation and under his control, is in a way the guarantor of practice in general and of the technical form specific to traditional Shotokan.

Several times a year, it defines the programs and most often runs the so-called "technical" trainings at national level.

“Special” internships (international)

Special internship (international)

The "special intrenships" are supervised and led by a Director, who may himself lead one of the groups of participants (by age group).

This special internship brings karatekas together for several days in a sports complex and follows an almost unchanging program: at least 6 hours of daily training over 2 and a half to 4 days, corresponding to a complete review of basic training during which the aim is to surpass oneself and push back one's limits.

Attention and concentration...

The aim of the speial internship is not to learn new techniques.
Training sessions are long and intense: several thousand techniques, bouts with fifty or so partners, a hundred Katas, an hour and a half of Kiba Dachi (the "iron rider" stance), etc.

This complete immersion in karate-do brings spectacular progress: it breaks down self-resistance (mental blocks) more easily than less advanced training.
What's more, the hours of joint effort and testing strengthen the bonds between karatekas. Many karatekas agree that the special training was the most mentally rewarding and physically challenging experience of their lives.

SUISSE SHOTOKAN KARATE organizes three special internships a year. In May (special summer internship with Dan-grade tests), in September (special autumn internship) and in January (special winter internship).

Each special intenship sees an ever-increasing number of participants from the GENEVE SHOTOKAN KARATE Dojo, which inspires other members, especially among the juniors.

SSK Event

Various events

Various events take place almost every year, at different times and in different parts of Switzerland.

They take place on the occasion of various important events, such as anniversaries, jubilees, visits by personalities or experts from other Ohshima Shotokan Associations around the world, and so on.

Exams & Degrees

Diplôme originel (Nidan - 2.DAN)

Diplôme actuel (Yodan - 4.DAN)

- "KYU-ranks", from "8.Kyu" white belt (beginners) to "1.Kyu" brown belt (advanced), are issued at Dojo level by the Dojos responsibles,

- "DAN-ranks", black belt degrees ranging from Shodan (1.DAN) to Yodan (4.DAN), awarded at national level only on the occasion and at the end of Special internships,

- the rank of GODAN (5.DAN), is awarded on the occasion of international events (jubilees, expert training courses, etc.), before a jury of Shihans, delegated from various Ohshima Shotokan Associations worldwide as well.