The Karate Union of Great Britain proudly competed at the 2024 European Shotokan Karate-do Championships in Gondomar, Portugal, last weekend. Under the expert leadership of Sensei Frank Brennan and the KUGB’s Team of Coaches – Kevin O’Neill, Terry Geddis, Greg Hegarty, John Bruce and Mike Smith – the KUGB Teams delivered outstanding performances, bringing home an impressive haul of medals and showcasing the skill and dedication that defines the organisation.
Sensei Brennan said “The ESKA Championships is renowned for its very high standard. To get selected is an honour, to past the first round is quite an achievement, but to get on to the podium is fantastic. I was very pleased and proud with the performance, determination and camaraderie displayed by our KUGB Teams”.
Congratulated to everyone who competed. The results are as follows:-
Senior Men’s Team Kumite: England (Cameron Graham, Ethan Armstrong, Jade Stapleton-Smith, Alex Cockx, Niall Gilligan, Bradley Barker, Thomas Hegarty)
Senior Men’s Individual Kumite: Ethan Armstrong – England
Youth Ladies’ Individual Kumite: Azhin Rafie – England
Senior Men’s Individual Kumite: Jade Stapleton-Smith – England
Junior Men’s Team Kumite: England (Bradley Barker, Thomas Hegarty, Alexander Lockett, Jake Roberts)
Youth Men’s Individual Kumite: Oliver Jackson – Northern Ireland
Junior Men’s Individual Kumite: Bradley Barker – England
Junior Ladies’ Individual Kumite: Rebecca Adie – England
Junior Ladies’ Team Kata: England (Grace Snowdon, Rojin Rafie, Ava Coulthard)
Junior Ladies’ Team Kumite: England (Rebecca Adie, Nicole Janowicz, Rojin Rafie, Evie Newman)
Cadet Ladies’ Team Kumite: England (Nicole Janowicz, Rojin Rafie, Evie Newman)
Junior Men’s Team Kata: Northern Ireland (Michael O’Neill, Matthew Johnston, Oliver Jackson)
Youth Men’s Individual Kata: Mayon Jayawickrama – England
Special mention goes to Mayon Jayawickrama, who delivered a fantastic performance in Youth Men’s Kata, earning a bronze medal. This achievement is even more remarkable given the challenges he overcame to make it to Gondomar after resolving a last-minute passport issue. His resilience and determination exemplify the spirit of karate.
While the KUGB England and Northern Ireland took home several medals, Scotland and Wales also participated with great spirit and dedication, representing their regions with pride.
The KUGB thanks those supporters who traveled to Gondomar to cheer on the team. Your enthusiasm and encouragement created an incredible atmosphere, motivating the competitors to perform at their best.
The KUGB’s efforts were met with praise and celebration, with each competitor demonstrating the spirit and discipline of Shotokan karate. The gold medal performances by Ethan Armstrong in both the Senior Men’s Individual Kumite and as part of the Senior Men’s Team Kumite exemplify the high standard of karate cultivated within the KUGB.
Congratulations to all competitors, medalists, the dedicated Coaches and the KUGB Referees – Jim Brennan, Garry Harford and Simon Thompson. The KUGB continues to set the standard for excellence in Shotokan karate, and we look forward to the next opportunity to represent our organisation on the European stage in 2025.
