In Memory of Hanshi Steve Arneil

BKK Members

As many of you are aware Hanshis family have requested rather than receiving flowers or donations to the family they have requested a donation be made to Cancer research instead. In the interest of the families requests we have set up a Hanshi Steve Arneil Memorial fund raising page for the BKK. This will enable us to group together in this difficult time of mourning to show our solidarity, our unity and our unwavering loyalty to our founder and leader Hanshi Steve Arneil.

The donations all go directly to the Cancer Research, please ensure that you add the gift aid to increase the amount donated (this will not affect the amount you donate but will be increased effectively by the government).

In these difficult times we hope that you find comfort in supporting a worthy cause. Please see link below to make any donations.

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/hanshi-steve-arneil

Osu

The loss of our founder, Chief Instructor, and Life President Hanshi Steve Arneil (1934-2021)

BKK Promotions by Hanshi Steve Arneil

Normally the promotions of our members to yondan and above are carried out at our prestigious events. Due to the unprecedented time of a global pandemic we cannot gather together, so I have taken the decision to announce the 2020 promotions via our website.

I wish to announce the promotions of the following karateka:

• Shihan Maria Da Costa 6th Dan

• Shihan Norman King 5th Dan

• Shihan Clara Akpokomua 5th Dan

• Sensei Emma Markwell 4th Dan

I apologise deeply due to the pandemic I am unable to meet with you and present your award in person. I thank you all for all your hard work and dedication over the years.

 Osu

 Hanshi

2020 British Open Canceled Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Due to the current pandemic, the BKK have taken the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 British Open on the 3rd of October.

With restrictions in the participation of combat sports still in place in the UK and the uncertainty for the preparation times of the athletes, it was considered the safest course of action.

To all our supporters we hope to see you all in 2021

Osu!

An Interview with Sensei Emma Markwell

The Martial Way podcasts: 

Sensei Emma Markwell is a British and World Champion in Kyokushin Karate, and podium holder of many International Kyokushin Karate Tournaments. She is a member of the International Federation Karate (IFK) and British Karate Kyokushinkai (BKK).

It was an absolute pleasure to speak to Sensei Emma. We covered her background in Kyokushin, training, her personal coaching and much more. I really enjoyed this conversation, and I hope you do as well. Osu!

Scott Heaney

AGM and English Open Championships postponed

You all will be aware of the COVID-19, the measures the UK Government is putting in place to slow the spread of the virus and encouraging everyone to take precautions to keep themselves and others well. For information on the virus etc. please go to www.nhs.uk.

To this end the BKK are postponing the forthcoming AGM and English Open Knockdown Championships – we will advise of alternative arrangements as soon as possible.

We will be listening to Government advice and it may be necessary to change or alter our future events.

We will keep you informed of future developments relating to the BKK.

Kind regards,
Linda Keaveney
BKK General Secretary

All National Squad Training suspended as precaution to Coronavirus

Coronavirus (Covid-19): Response from BKK National Coaching Team

The British Karate Kyokushinkai National Coaching Team has taken the decision to suspend all national (Great Britain, England and Wales) squad training sessions with immediate effect until further notice due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

We are dedicated to taking the necessary precautions to prioritise the health and safety of all students and feel limiting country-wide travel, and minimising group contact, at this time, is the best and safest course of action.

The Coaching team expresses its full commitment in continuing doing its upmost to provide the best conditions for athletes to compete at the highest level and sincerely regrets the inconvenience created by this unfortunate situation.

We will continue to monitor the situation and advise accordingly – we thank you for your continued support and patience.

Please continue to follow the advice provided on the UK government websites https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

Regards

Team GB | Team England | Team Wales

Sensei Kenny Jarvis (GB)

Sensei Chris Davies (U18 GB and Wales)

Sensei Wai Cheung (U18 England)

Sensei Sam Williams (Wales)

AGM announcement

National Kata Tournament 2020 Results

Hayley Rowlands takes silver at the 1st EFKO European tournament

Continuing her rich vain of form, Hayley Beth Rowlands took silver at the 1st EFKO European Tournament, in Antwerp, Belgium narrowly missing out on a place to Japan, but nevertheless continuing to shine and develop on the big tournament stage.

Congratulations Hayley.

OSU!

Hayley Beth Rowlands to compete at the 1st EFKO European Championships

Hayley Beth Rowlands will be competing this weekend at the 1st EFKO European Championships, in Antwerp, Belgium.

Fresh from her good form of current KWU European Champion, 2nd place 2019 British Open, and silver place at the recent KWU World Championships, Hayley will be hoping for success, and secure a place to fight in the WFKO’s World Championships in Japan, later this year.

Live streaming of the tournament can be found here

We wish her the very best of luck.

OSU!

Emma Markwell is the KWU World Champion, as the BKK women set a high bar

Emma taking the fight to Ficks (IFK Russia) in the final match

The KWU held the 4th World Championships in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan on 7-8th December in a hotly contested and high-level competition.

Emma Markwell, having gained silver at the previous three champioships, finally took gold and the title of World Champion in the -65kg class, in an impressive display over 2 days beating her final opponent from Russia in an aggresive and tough match.

Congratulations to Sensei Emma, our World Champion!

Hayley Beth Rowlands battled her way through 2 days to gain a very well deserved silver place in her strong -5okg category.

Congratulations to Senpai Hayley on her first world podium placing.

Wish our BKK fighters good luck at the 4th KWU World Championships

Emma Markwell, Blake Collins, and Hayley-Beth Rowlands are representing Team GBR at the 4th KWU World Championships, in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan this weekend.

We wish them the best of fighting luck. Osu!

You can watch them live here, from 10am local time. Kazakhstan is GMT+6.

National Clicker tournament 2019 - results

On behalf of our association, Thanks to all who helped make Saturdays British Karate Kyokushinkai Clicker Championships a great success. 270 fighters from the B.K.K, non-BKK & Ireland. Continuing to fight semi-contact since our formation in 1965 under the guidance of Hanshi Steve Arneil 10th Dan.

Special thanks to Gareth Jones for all his work in advance and then on the day. The Area Managers Shihans: David Pickthall, Neil Madeley, Felix Ntumazah, Janine Davies, Paul Baker & Andrew Turner and all the un-mentioned officials, without who’s help we could not run the event.

Thanks also to Andy Rotherham & Stuart Wright, Health & Safety & Floor Manager respectively. Abi Rotherham for stepping in as photographer, Shihan Maria da Costa and also the “special few” table officials: Helen Rowlands, Samantha Williams, Francesca Morreale, Peter Frith & Mark Mcillroy.

Lastly thank you to all the fighters, who took success and defeat with equal measure and displayed skill, courage, endeavour and respect throughout.
Osu!
Shihan Nick da Costa
(Championship lead organiser & Chief Referee)

Emma makes her mark at the WKO World Karate Open in Japan

Sensei Emma Markwell was part of a select KWU team competing at the WKO’s 12th World Open Karate Championships in Tokyo Japan, held over two days on 8-9th November 2019.

This is an open weight tournament, and Emma had prepared herself well by making a very successful shift to the upper weight categories taking a European title in the process, culminating with an unprecedented British Open win against much heavier opponents in October this year.

Emma was the second fight of the day against a South African opponent with an awkward looping double right-hand punch. She executed her fight plan well, breaking her opponent’s balance and rhythm by attacking the inside back leg coupled with hard body shots, then drifting away from her opponent’s power-side all the while keeping pressure on her opponent. As the round progressed, Emma brought in knees and front-kicks, dictating the pace. One round, and 3 flags was enough to progress.

Her second opponent from Russia, was taller and more mobile than her first, intent on attacking Emma from the outside with an array of high kicks. Early in the fight, whilst giving her opponent a little too much space and time, Emma took a well-placed spinning back kick to the head. This did little to upset Emma’s rhythm who’s own tactic was to use head kicks then close the distance at high-tempo, attacking with body punches and solid low-kicks. Each time her opponent looked for space, Emma high-kicked nullifying the Russian’s ability to attack effectively – round one was a draw.

First extension, and Emma tactics started to wear her opponent down by beginning the round at an aggressive pace. Running out of space and energy, the Russian engaged Emma at close range, and was being systematically broken down to the body and legs. Sensing her opponent getting weaker, Emma came close with a Do-Mawashi Kaiten geri (rolling kick), then immediately returned to the full arsenal of head kicks, knees to the body, and relentless body shots and low kicks to earn her a place in the final 16.

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Her third opponent was the Japanese and tournament favourite, Juri Minamihara. Emma’s tactic was to hold ground, firing hard punches and low kick to the calf against Minamihara’s aggressive forward style of high chest punches and low-kicks.

Two immovable forces resulted in Emma’s opponent leaning against her, grabbing and pushing at times to gain space or advantage. No decision after the first, leading to the same in the second round, now with Minamihara creating more lateral movement in attempts to off-balance Emma. To no avail, as Emma continued to pile on pressure, adding knees into each lateral movement from her opponent.

Round two, a draw. The final round saw an increase in pace and aggression from both fighters. The pressure was beginning to show, as Emma started to find success in creating space with low-kicks set up through her punches, with Minamihara reduced to small backward movements to gain space, grabbing at times to stem the flow. The two stood toe to toe throwing punches, and Emma hitting low kicks to off-balance her opponent, both finishing the fight aggressively with an incredibly vocal crowd. Three flags to Minamihara, who went on to win the tournament, and an incredibly impressive final 16 finish for Emma.

 A huge congratulations to Sensei Emma for becoming part of select team to represent the KWU – a huge achievement, and for her tournament progress in a very partisan environment.

BKK success at the IKK English Open

A number of BKK dojos sent fighters the IKK English Open, in Canterbury on 3rd November 2019, and came away with good results, and experience for our youth.

Katerina Nikolajeva BKK Gravesend 1st Place

Ashley Black BKK Crawley 1st Place

Elvin Vaskys BKK Crawley 1st Place

Antek Sobecki BKK Westcroft 1st Place

Brandon Wise BKK Westcroft 1st Place

Jessica Charsley BKK Verwood 1st Place

Phil Burchill BKK Verwood 1st Place

Dan Williams BKK Verwood 1st Place

Kartar Singh Cheema BKK Gravesend 2nd Place

Grace Emmett BKK Crawley 2nd Place

Louie Warnfeldt Rush BKK Crawley 3rd place

U18 Team England and Wales results at Sutani Cup 2019, Belgium.

U18 Team England and Wales attended this year’s Sutani Cup, Antwerp, Belgium in numbers, and came away with invaluable experience.

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Results and congratulations to:

Ashley Black (ENG - Crawley dojo) - 1st place

Antek Sobecki (ENG - Westcroft dojo) - 1st place

Holly Harvery (WALES - Mountain Ash dojo) - 2nd place

Katie Martin (WALES - Mountain Ash dojo) - 2nd place

James Baker (ENG - Saffron Walden dojo) - 2nd place

Brandon Wise (ENG - Westcroft dojo) - 2nd place

Cai Williams (WALES - Mountain Ash dojo) - 3rd place

Rhys Meredith (WALES - Mountain Ash dojo) - 3rd place

Seren Harries (WALES - Mountain Ash dojo) - 3rd place

Nathan Hyde (ENG - Eastbourne dojo) - 3rd place

Nikhil Patel (ENG - Loughborough dojo) - 3rd place

Mia Hawkins (ENG - Crawley dojo) - 3rd place

British Open 2019 Results

Another hotly contested tournament across all categories. See results below, and relive the action.

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Relive the action

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AREA A

Cadets U18 Boys and Girls all categories

Womens Open -60kg/+60kg

Mens Open +80kg

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AREA B

U18 England vs USA / U18 Wales vs USA / U18 England vs Wales

Novice Mens & Womens all categories
Mens Open -70kg/-80kg

British Open 2019 (Cup of Europe) will be streamed live

The 2019 British Open will be streamed live across two areas from 10am GMT - click here

U18 Tri-Nations - Team Wales announced

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U18 Tri-Nations Team USA is:

• Morgan Mates

• Wiktor Gabala

• Ethan Gregory

• William Lawrence

• Robleh Ahmed

• Rhys Meredith

Tickets available here