BKK announces with sadness passing of Sensei Al Jelly (4th Dan)
It is with great sadness we annouce Sensei Al Jelly (4th Dan) formerly of Abbey Wood Dojo, passed away on the 30th September 2017 after a short illness.
He was a student of Hanshi Arneil's at Crystal Palace dojo, before runinng his own dojo in Abbey Wood. Hanshi and the entire BKK express their sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed.
More news as we have it.
RIP Sensei Al.
Osu!
National Kata course with Sensei Darren Stringer
A good turn out at the kata course today with Sensei Darren Stringer. Thanks to Shihan Alan and Shihan Janine for their help today. We hope everyone enjoyed the course and the bunkai application aspect.
Thanks to all those who made the journey. See you all soon.
Osu!
British Open 2017 ALL THE action replayed
The 41st British Open was streamed live on Saturday 23rd September with fighting across 2 areas. Watch all the action below, and check out the results here
AREA A
Cadets U18 Boys -68kg, +78kg (Rounds 1-4)
Cadet U18 Girls -58kg, +58kg (Round 1-4)
Open Mens-70kg (bottom draw), -80kg (Rounds 1,2, Qtr-Final, Semi-Final, Finals)
Open Womens -60kg (Rounds 1,2, Qtr-Final, Semi-Final, Finals)
AREA B
Novice Mens -70kg, -80kg (Qtr, Semi, Final)
Novice Womens +60kg (Semi, Final)
Novice Men +80kg (Final)
Open Womens +60kg, (Rounds 1,2, Qtr-Final, Semi-Final, Finals)
Open Mens -70kg (top drawer), +80kg (Rounds 1,2, Qtr-Final, Semi-Final, Finals)
British Open 2017 Results
British Karate Kyokushinkai Magazine - September 2017 Edition
The popular BKK Magazine which showcases Kyokushinkai news and events from the past 12 months is now available as a free of charge download.
This year’s magazine is presented in a modern, downloadable format so you can read it on-the-go using your mobile phone or tablet device.
British Open 2017 - Spirited Fighter Award
This beautiful Australian leather belt has been kindly donated by long time Kyokushin student Robert Macgregor. The belt is custom hand-made for our 2017 tournament and is embossed with “Spirited Fighter” in Japanese.
It will be awarded to a fighter at our tournament on 23rd September 2017 for determination and perseverance (not necessarily a winner).
See who can win the award at the list of British Open 2017 registered fighters at
http://www.bkk-britishopen.com/registered-fighters.html .
You can see Robert’s other hand-made leather belts by clicking here
David Pickthall 7th Dan Promotion
Congratulations to Shihan David Pickthall who was promoted to 7th Dan by Hanshi Steve Arneil and the IFK Board at the recent World Tournament in Romania.
Shihan David in his role as Vice - President of the IFK has in the past ten years worked tirelessly with Hanshi to develop the IFK and has added a different dynamic to the membership of the IFK.
In addition, his charismatic and personable character has uniquely contributed to the support of the IFK from other organisations such as Shinkyokushin, Kyokushinkaikan and many more.
WELSH OPEN 2017 - results
KNOCKDOWN
Mens Open Lightweight
1st Simon Zurfluh - IFK Ilanz
2nd Christian Gavara - Kyokushinkan Spain - Dinamic
Mens Open Middleweight
1st Blake Collins - BKK Crawley
2nd Sami Mehio - BKK Hastings & Bexhill
Mens Open Heavyweight
1st Gabriel Barbu - BKK Crawley
2nd Alexandrau Paun - BKK Derby
3rd Akbar Shams Nooraee - BKK Cardiff
Mens Novice Lightweight
1st Jordan Powell - BKK Aberpennar
2nd Gurbir Dhillon - BKK Staines Tigers
Mens Novice Heavyweight
1st Luke Bryant - BKK Staines Tigers
2nd Fizan Ashraf - BKK West Yorkshire
Fastest Knockout
Gabriel Barbu - BKK Crawley (1:09)
Most Spirited Fighter
Fizan Ashraf - BKK West Yorkshire
KATA
Junior Kata
1st Sophie Hobbs - BKK Mountain Ash
2nd Mia Morgan - BKK Mountain Ash
3rd Luke Davies - BKK Mountain Ash
Senior Kata
1st Simon Zurfluh - IFK Ilanz
2nd Florian Zurfluh - IFK Ilanz
3rd Kevin Evans - BKK Cardiff
CLICKER
Pee Wee Clicker
1st Daniel Parsons - BKK Cwmbran
2nd Kiera Williams - BKK Bridgend
3rd Cai Williams - BKK Mountain Ash
3rd Marcello Goodley - BKK Mountain Ash
Girls - 155cms Clicker
1st Jaskiran Khela - BKK Langley
2nd Chloe Slocombe - BKK Dunmow
3rd Seren Harries - BKK Mountain Ash
3rd Amrit Riyat - BKK Langley
Boys - 155cms Clicker
1st Mustafa Ahmed - BKK Cardiff
2nd Sam Davies - BKK Cardiff
3rd James Mates - BKK Cwmbran
3rd Callum Mates - BKK Cwmbran
Girls + 155cms Clicker
1st Sophie Hobbs - BKK Mountain Ash
2nd Mia Morgan - BKK Mountain Ash
3rd Holly Harvey - BKK Mountain Ash
3rd Lili Bryan - BKK Mountain Ash
Boys + 155cms Clicker
1st Luke Davies - BKK Mountain Ash
2nd Ethan Hardwick - BKK Cwmbran
3rd Nikhil Patel - BKK Loughborough
3rd Rhys Meredith - BKK Mountain Ash
JUNIOR IFK RULES (KNOCKDOWN)
Junior IFK Rules - Group 1
1st Daniel Parsons - BKK Cwmbran
2nd Sam Davies - BKK Cardiff
3rd Mustafa Ahmed - BKK Cardiff
Junior IFK Rules - Group 2
1st Rhys Meredith - BKK Mountain Ash
2nd Robleh Ahmed - BKK Cardiff
Junior IFK Rules - Group 3
1st Mia Morgan - BKK Mountain Ash
2nd Holly Harvey - BKK Mountain Ash
3rd Lili Bryan - BKK Mountain Ash
Junior IFK Rules - Group 4
1st Luke Davies - BKK Mountain Ash
2nd Nikhil Patel - BKK Loughborough
Junior IFK Rules - Group 5
1st Sophie Hobbs - BKK Mountain Ash
2nd Katie Martin - BKK Cardiff
41st British Open incorporating 9th Cup of Europe entries are open...
This iconic event is one of the most long standing knockdown tournaments in the world.
In 2016 we had over 160 participating fighters from 23 countries.
The British Karate Kyokushinkai (BKK) invite you, and fighters from across the world to enter our tournament.
More details can be found on our tournament website
Spectator tickets can be purchased in our ticket shop
Home fighters representing the KWU at WKO World Weight Tournament, 1st-2nd July
Emma Markwell and Hayley-Beth Rowlands, and Aneta Meskauskiene from Ireland Karate Kyokushinkai will be competing and representing the IFK/ KWU at this weekend's World Weight Tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan (1st-2nd July).
Sensei Steve Worrell 4th Dan (1961-2017)
Steve with Hanshi Arneil on passing his Sandan 14/08/2005
It is with great regret the BKK has to announce Sensei Steve Worrell of BKK Westcroft dojo passed away on Sunday 14th May 2017.
Assistant Great Britain Knockdown coach Sensei Steve had been battling a long illness that rapidly escalated within the last few months.
Sensei Steve started his journey with the BKK in 1976 and first fought for England in 1979. He ran the Westcroft dojo alongside Shihan Paul Baker for many years and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
The BKK offer their condolences to his family at this time
OSU
2017 Pilatus Cup success for Team England and Wales
The BKK, lead by coaches Sensei Tony White, Chris Davies and Wai Cheung, took teams from England and Wales to compete at the 2017 Pilatus Cup held in Lucerne, Switzerland on the weekend of 18th March.
Both teams conducted themselves professionally, and came away with a number of podium positions, in addition to making good friends along the way.
Team results are below, and full list of results can be found on the IFK Switzerland site
Clicker Boys 150cm+: 3rd Luke Davies (Wales) and Luke Sabey (England)
Clicker Boys -150cm: 2nd Charlie Denton (England), 3rd Ashley Black (England) and Fynn Clements (England)
Clicker Girls 150cm+: 1st Mia Morgan (Wales), 2nd Holly Harvey (Wales), 3rd Lili Bryan (Wales)
Clicker Girls -150cm: 1st Seren Harries (Wales), 3rd Libby Morse (Wales)
Kata Boys 4.Kyu+: 2nd Luke Davies (Wales)
Kata Boys 6.-5.Kyu: 2nd Daniel Parsons (Wales)
Kata Girls 4.Kyu+: 1st Seren Harries (Wales), 2nd Mia Morgan (Wales), 3rd Georgia Slocombe (England)
Kata Girls 6.-5.Kyu: 1st Libby Morse (Wales)
+68kg Cadet Knockdown: 1st Dylan Baldwin (Wales), 2nd George Deane (Wales), 3rd Henry Deane (Wales)
-68kg Cadet Boys knockdown: 1st Luke Jones (Wales), 3rd Max Williams (Wales)
+58kg Girls Cadet Knockdown: 1st Alicia Bennett (Wales)
-58kg Girls Cadet Knockdown: 1st Jessica Charsley (England), 2nd Holly Davies (England), 3rd Jaime May Rowlands (Wales)
More photos of the day from IFK Switzerland here
Junior and Cadet National Training Session
An excellent turnout for the National Training Session held on Sunday 12th March at Westminster Lodge Sports Centre, St. Albans. Almost 50 students attended this monthly event run by GB Junior Coach Sensei Tony White. Guest instructor this month was Shihan Liam Keaveney 7th Dan and assistant junior instructors were Sensei Sunil Tailor and Sensei Mike Charsley.
For the first time, seniors were invited to train with the under 18’s, and the atmosphere and teamwork in the dojo was amazing. The juniors were inspired by the focus and power of the seniors, and the seniors were pushed to work even harder by the fitness and determination of the juniors.
Students had travelled many miles from dojos all over England, including Oldham, Loughborough, Verwood, Crawley, Dunmow, Crystal Palace, Docklands, Folkestone, Gravesend, Saffron Walden, Melton Mowbray, Kokoro and Eastbourne.
Shihan Keaveney put everyone though their paces with a challenging Kihon and traditional Kyokushin karate session, which was followed by some excellent clicker coaching with Sensei Tailor. Sensei Tony worked with the cadets and seniors on knockdown combinations and a tough pad workout.
The BKK National Training Sessions take place every month and all are welcome to attend. No need to pre-register - just turn up to train.
For more information about the National Training Sessions, contact Sensei Tony White tony.white@bonners.co.uk
Newly appointed BKK Knockdown Chief Referee
Congratulations to Shihan Andrew Turner (6th Dan) for being appointed as the BKK Knockdown Chief Referee; we wish him well in his new position.
Thanks to Shihan Alex Kerrigan (7th Dan) for all his support and hard work in this post for many decades.
National Kata Championships 2017 Results
The BKK's 2017 National Kata Tournament was held on 4th March. Results below.
More photos can be found here
Blake Collins - 2017 Senior National Kata Champion
BKK fighters from England and Wales podium at the IKKU's 2017 Scottish Open
BKK England and Wales, and IFK Ireland fighters attended this year's IKKU Scottish Open in Glasgow, gaining honours in a number of the categories.
BKK Crawley fighters Malcolm Scott, 1st (Over 40s HW) and Kirsten Galatius-Smith, 3rd (Open HW)
Scottish Open full results:
Cadet LW
1st Conor Fitzpatrick IFK Ireland
2nd Alex Day IKKU England
3rd Elis Room BKK Wales
Cadet HW
1st Dylan Baldwin BKK Wales
2nd Shane McLoughlin IFK Ireland
Over 40 LW
1st Owen Bently MOKKO England
2nd Jason Roome BKK Wales
3rd Shane Mulhall IFK Ireland
Over 40 HW
1st Malcolm Scott BKK England
2nd Phil Jones IKKU England
3rd Amir Arfaoui IKKU England
Ladies Novice LW
1st Shevin Urgun Kyokushinkan Sweden
2nd Martha Albretsen IFK Norway
3rd Stacey Dunne IFK Ireland
Ladies Novice HW
1st Allannah Arthur IFK Ireland
2nd Tracey Armstrong IKKU England
3rd Natalie Horton BKK England
Mens Novice LW
1st Andy Raisen BKK England
2nd Ian Liddle GoJuRyu Scotland
3rd Zheng Lin BKK England
Mens Novice MW
1st Mateusz szablan Kyokushinkan Scotland
2nd Rhys Petrie IKO Wales
3rd Pawel Skowron Depczynski IKKU England
Mens Novice HW
1st Jaroslaw Goralczyk IFK Ireland
2nd Jordan McMahon GoJuRyu Scotland
3rd Aaron Carroll BKK England
Ladies Open LW
1st Aneta Meskauskiene IFK Ireland
2nd Sanne Larsson Shin Kyokushin Sweden
3rd Irene Jensen Skjelfjord NKKO Norway
Ladies Open HW
1st Zita Zatyko Kyokushinkan Scotland
2nd Samantha Williams BKK Wales
3rd Kirsten Smith BKK England
Mens Open LW
1st Hans Kristian Havreberg NKKO Norway
2nd Daniel Fryer BKK England
3rd Lewis Kalicinski IKO Wales
Mens Open MW
1st Rasmus Orstad NKKO Norway
2nd Kelvin Tienstra IFK Netherlands
3rd Bjorn Erik Orstad NKKO Norway
Mens Open HW
1st Eivind Naerland NKKO Norway
2nd Dave King IFK Ireland
3rd Kristian Soyland Shin Kyokushin Norway
Spirited fighter: Tyler Hughes-Morris IKKU England
Success for Cwmbran Dojo at IFK Dutch Open Kata Championships
Members of Cwmbran dojo travelled to the IFK Dutch Open Kata Championships this weekend (4th February '17), with fantastic results.
Alex Mort 5th Place
Daniel Parsons 1st Place
Libby Morse 2nd Place
James Mates 3rd Place
Fynley Morse 4th Place & Most Spirited
Hannah Davies 3rd Place
Jaime-May Rowlands 3rd Place
Cwmbran B Team 4th Place
Cwmbran A Team 1st Place
More details and photos can be found clicking here
Congratulations to all.
Osu!
Chairman's Message
5th KWU World Youth tournament 2016, Bulgaria - round up and report
The KWU held its 5th World Youth Tournament in Varna, Bulgaria from 3-4th December, and was hosted by the Bulgarian Kyokushin-kan Federation on behalf of the KWU.
The BKK, as an IFK federated member of the KWU, selected 5 fighters, three from Wales (Dylan Baldwin, Luke Jones, Jaime-May Rowlands), and two from England (Callum Pearce, Olivia Pickthall) to represent Team GB.
(L-R) Wai Cheung (coach), Callum Pearce, Dylan Baldwin, Olivia Pickthall, Luke Jones, Jaime-May Rowlands, Chris Davies (coach)
The under-18 event, with competitors from 12 years upwards, was perhaps the largest and strongest tournament for Kyokushin rules with over 650 competitors from 33 countries, across 32 categories.
The logistics of transporting all the competitors to Varna plus registrations was quite a challenge. Some country teams were united (under a single team of multiple organisations) and others had separate teams primarily from member countries IFK, Kyokushin-kan, KWF and Shinkyokushin but there were also representatives from Rengokai, WKB and other independents from Japan.
The team left the UK in the early hours of Thurs 1st Dec arriving in Sofia with a long stop-over, finally arriving at the team hotel in Varna closer to midnight; some of the team had been on the move for close to 24hrs and departing Sofia for Varna gave them their first contact with other countries also on the same flight. Speaking with other country coaches and teams, their travels into Varna were even longer.
The following was long and arduous day which saw the GB team safely weighed at 3.00pm and teams still arriving at the hotel late into the evening everyone was told to be ready to transfer to the venue at 8am the following morning for a 10am start; the last fighter completed weigh-in and medical at 1.30am.
The event started as scheduled but with the sheer volume of fighters participating it meant the anticipated first day over ran as fights only reached the start of the quarter finals as opposed to the anticipated completion of semi-finals.
Luke Jones was first for the team as he stepped up against a Russian opponent. As expected, the Russian came out strong unsettling Luke's aggressive style and rhythm early on. Luke took a number of strong body shots eventually giving away two waza-ari inside two minutes.
Dylan Baldwin had drawn the 2016 Russian Champion. From the outset his opponent came out with strong combinations, putting Dylan on the back foot where he attempted to block and counter. Although the Russian began to tire towards the end of the round, and Dylan was able to get off some of his own combinations, the power differential between the two was clear; 5-0 decision after 2 minutes.
Jaime-May Rowlands drew the 2016 Russian Champion runner-up, with a considerable height difference. The unusual and spoiling kicking style of the Russian immediately unsettled Jaime, as she struggled to find a way through the long range techniques and constant barrage of head kicks. Having lost one waza-ari, Jaime went for broke and ended dropping a second score to another head kick. She stayed on her feet fighting throughout the bout but it was clear the rapid kicking style of her Russian opponent was not something ever encountered.
Having received a bye in the first round, Callum Pearce was up against a strong Bulgarian opponent and partisan crowd. He took this in his stride and fought his way to victory over three hard rounds making good use of his low kicks, driving his opponent around the mat towards the end of the fight and even seemed to be enjoying the whole experience as the bout continued; 5-0 decision to Callum.
Olivia Pickthall received a bye into the next round, which meant both her and Callum were subject to long waits prior to their next fights. At 7.30pm having started at 8am, it was clear neither were going to fight again that day, as the organisers decided to finish at 8pm and push the quarter-finals into Day Two.
Day Two saw the event run all the way through but due to the extra 60 bouts on each of the three tatami before the finals could take place, the tournament finished at 10.30pm.
Callum was the next to draw a Russian opponent, and focused from the outset. Long to medium range fast combinations were being deployed in an effort to unbalance his opponent early, whilst the Russian picked power shots in retaliation. Halfway through an even round Callum received a spinning back kick to the body which visibly affected him. From this point in, Callum closed his defence tight and the Russian sensed a chink in his armour as he continued to land power body shots in an effort to get the stoppage. The remainder of the fight was dominated by the Russian as Callum worked hard to stay on his feet and move around the mat with his focus fixed on staying in a tight defence. 5-0 decision at the end of two minutes.
Olivia Pickthall received a second bye into the quarter finals making for a long wait halfway into Day Two before she made it on the tatami against another GB vs Russia draw. Her much shorter opponent took a face punch at the start and Olivia was immediately given a genten-ichi, meaning if it stayed that way at the end of the round the decision would be against her. From the restart the two engaged in the centre of the mat, Olivia throwing shita-tsukis against a bullish opponent throwing fast and heavy chest and body shots intent on getting the fight over with quickly. The Russian continued to press hard, Olivia attempting to gain space with reverse and circular movements which her opponent closed down quickly by maintaining a ferocious pace even jumping with punches at the close of the round to gain further leverage and steal more ground. 5-0 decision against Olivia.
Overall the standard of fighting was extremely high. The Japanese team were incredible at the 12-13 age groups with not only amazing fighting spirit but real ability to fight with style and good positioning. As the age groups advanced the Russian, Bulgarian and Kazakhstan teams proved to be worthy winners but it was good to see IFK countries other than Russia pick up trophies.
Some of Team Japan warming up early on Day Two
As for the British team once again it was a huge learning curve not only competing in such a high level event but also trying to manage the long wait before competing. This was probably the toughest test for them.
Reflecting on where we are as a national organisation/ federation is also part of the learning process if we are to improve both the condition and technical ability of our fighters. The importance of exposure and training time is key in order for us to give our fighters the best opportunities to compete at such a high level.
Thank you to Kyokushin-Kan Bulgaria for the tournament, and KWU in totality in its mission to bring Kyokushin under a united banner at least from a Tournament perspective. For the youths in attendance it helped to forge some lifelong friendships and draw the strength from which Kyokushin can be built and united.
With Kancho Royama from Kyokushin-kan
report by Sensei Wai Cheung