This weekend, the University of Wolverhampton, Walsall Campus, hosted a great day of karate as we brought together three prestigious competitions in one venue. The National Youth Championships (under 21s), The National Students Championships (16+ and in full-time education), and the Senior events of the Grand Slam all ran seamlessly, offering competitors a prime opportunity to showcase their dedication and skill.
The standard and spirit displayed by all participants was fantastic, with competitors demonstrating focus, technique, and exceptional sportsmanship. The efforts of the Event Team and our Officials were instrumental in keeping the day running smoothly, ensuring each event remained on schedule. Special thanks go to the Referees & Judges, Timekeepers & Recorders, and our Medical team for their hard work.
Above all, we extend our gratitude to the competitors and their clubs for their enthusiasm and support. This event marked a final chance for those selected to represent England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales to refine their competitive edge in preparation for international competition.
During the break between eliminations and the finals, two young members of our KUGB family, Ava and Matilda, collected donations for the current KUGB charity, Child Bereavement UK – over £150 was raised.
During the finals, we were thrilled to welcome Julie, Regional Manager from Guide Dogs UK, along with guide dog owner Alison and her guide dog, George, to present them with a £3,500 check raised through our fundraising efforts over the past year and a half. Alison shared an inspiring story about how having a guide dog restored her independence, while Julie spoke about the KUGB’s involvement in the Name a Puppy Scheme and our own guide dog puppy, Brennan. We look forward to soon receiving Brennan’s birth certificate, photos, and bi-annual updates. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our charity appeal last year!
Also during the finals we said goodbye to Sensei Collin Schubert, 7th Dan, as he returns to his home country of Malaysia. Known to many as a dedicated referee, a regular on courses, and a proud supporter of KUGB events, Collin’s presence is an inspiration to us all. At an impressive 90 years old, he embodies the spirit and dedication of karate. We are incredibly grateful for his many years of commitment and wish him all the best.
Congratulations to all involved! Here are the results.
The National Youth Championships
1. Bradley Barker – Kirkby
2. Matthew Johnston – Zanshin NI
3. Alexander Lockett – Chelmsford
3. Jake Roberts – Tamworth SKC
1. Rebecca Adie – Sendai Kushiro
2. Rojin Rafie – Sendai Kushiro
3. Eleanor Donigan – Newcastle Uni
3. Tulsi Prakash – University Of Liverpool
1. Jason Curran – USKFI Ireland
2. Luke Curnyn – Kirkby
3. Francis Curtis – Rhyl & Prestatyn
3. Mohamed Elwerfalli – Shotokan KA
1.Alexander Lockett – Chelmsford
2. Thomas Hegarty – Solihull KA
3. Charlie King – Regashi
4. Hanno Wallenstein – York Elite
1. Grace Snowdon – Sendai Kushiro
2. Ava Coulthard – Sendai Kushiro
3. Rebecca Adie – Sendai Kushiro
4. Rojin Rafie – Sendai Kushiro
1. Sendai Kushiro A
2. Solihull KA
3. USKF Ireland
4. Sendai Kushiro B
1. Serena Matyas Sarri – Leeds Shotokan
2. Olivia Petrovschi – USKFI Ireland
3. Skyla Munyaneza – North Staffs
3. Georgia Burton – Hutton
1. Zain Steers – Solihull KA
2. Turlough Todd- Zanshin NI
3. Amandeep Singh – Solihull KA
3. Jacob Hung – Zanshin NI
1. Azhin rafie – Sendai Kushiro
2. Lucy Sycamore – Lympstone
3. Xanthe Curtis – Regashi
3. Olivia Cox – Solihull KA
1. Ben Grobler – Solihull KA
2. Harrison Stewart – Kirkby
3. Shivyan Masura – Solihull KA
3. Sharvesh Selvakumar – Solihull KA
1. Kathryn McArthur – Hutton
2. Skye Roberts- Kirkby
3. Elsie Williams – Sendai Kushiro
3. Willow Dixon – Sendai Kushiro
1. Jude Brown – Kirkby
2. Corey Jones – Okami
3. Ruban Matharu – Leeds Shotokan
3. Dawud Zarifi – Sendai Kushiro
1. Aiya Steers – Solihull KA
2. Maya Arvanitaki – Solihull KA
3. Skylar Walker-Root – Stock
3. Nehshaal Chauhan-Rowe- Solihull KA
Children’s Ippon Kumite 4th Kyu & Below
1. Clark Wan – Leeds Shotokan
2. Zarko Kastratovic – Solihull KA
3. Nate Hill – Pegasus Wingfoot
3. Jensen Nicholls – Pegasus Wingfoot
1. Megan Fox – Sendai Kushiro
2. Serena Matyas Sarri – Leeds Shotokan
3. Azhin Rafie – Sendai Kushiro
4. Aiya Steers – Solihull KA
1. Mayon Jayawickrama – Leeds Shotokan
2. Oliver Jackson – Zanshin NI
3. Matthew Phillips – USKFI Ireland
4. Jacob Hung – Zanshin NI
1. Crystal Tauro – USKF Ireland
2. Elsie Williams – Sendai Kushiro
3. Kathryn McArthur – Hutton
4. Angel Walker-Root – Stock
1. James Campbell – Sendai Kushiro
2. Danny Voknat – Solihull KA
3. Archie Jones – Kirkby
4. Theo Galangque – Tamworth SKC
1. Eva Sharp – Kirkby
2. Emma Thompson – Bath
3. Dollie Behan – Tamworth SKC
1. Owen Baker – Barnsley
2. Ruban Matharu – Leeds Shotokan
3. Jerome Bellamy – South Notts
4. Kirill Kolotovichev – Regashi
The National Students Championships
1. Kirkby B
2. Kirkby A
3. Durham University
3. Shotokan Karate Academy
1. Kirkby A
2. Sendai Kushiro
3. Kirkby
3. Shotokan Karate Academy
1. Jake Acreman – Okami
2. Alexander Lockett – Chelmsford
3. Oliver Roper – Lympstone
3. Matthew Johnston – Zanshin NI
1. Rebecca Adie – Sendai Kushiro
2. Rojin Rafie – Sendai Kushiro
3. Rachel Baker – Newcastle Uni
3. Nicole Janowicz – Kirkby- LJMU
1. Grace Snowdon – Sendai Kushiro
2. Ava Coulthard – Sendai Kushiro
3. Evie Newman – Tamworth SKC
3. Rojin Rafie – Sendai Kushiro
1. Alexander Lockett – Chelmsford
2. Matthew Johnston – Zanshin N.I
3. Michael O’Neill – Zanshin N.I
4. Charlie King – Regashi
1. Sendai Kushiro
2. Shotokan Karate Academy
3. Largs
4. Newcastle University
1. Joe Pastore – NTU
2. Luke Curnyn – Kirkby-LJMU
3. Reece Finnigan – Kirkby-LJMU
3. Kian Hunt – Kirkby-LJMU
1. Annabelle Stacy – Kirkby-LJMU
2. Tulsi Prakash – University of Liverpool
3. Antonella Alino – Tamworth SKC
3. Vivian Cheung – Shotokan KA
1. Siam Riley – Durham University
2. Ho Lam Tsnag – Newcastle University
3. Antonella Alino – Tamworth SKC
4. Basma Ignaoun – North Staffs
1. Mirza Mahshar – Shotokan KA
2. Hanno Wallenstein – York Elite
3. Ryan Woods – Shotokan KA
4. Kian Lunt – Kirkby – LJMU
The Grand Slam – Seniors
1. Ethan Armstrong – England
2. Andrew Mills – NI
3. Kyle Watkin – Wales
3. Alex Cockx – England
1. England
2. Wales
1. Raquel Amaro – England
2. Nilu Samarasinghe – England
3. Megan Naylor-Jones – England
4. Laura Smith – England
1. Alex Cockx – England
2. Andrew Mills – Northern Ireland
3. Ethan Brown – England
4. Alan Lea – England
