British Open 2018 Fighters Preview
The BKK is set to host its 42nd British Open on Saturday 6th October 2018 at K2, Crawley in what will be an absolute hotbed of Kyokushin fighting elite and talent.
Year on year we see an increase in standard at our championships, presently there are 23 organisations from 22 countries participating in this years 42nd edition of the British Open. Here we look at some of the potential favourites and also at our BKK entries in the Cup of Europe Open categories.
Mens Lightweight
Current champion and Spanish favourite Dani Redondo is looking to take his third Crown but will have some stiff opposition with some very strong Russians including last years runner up Anton Adushkevich from Gazprom team and KWU Varna Cup Champion Maksim Voitov. Also look out for Lithuanian Champion Jonas Enimontas.
Mens Middleweight
Russia will once again have a big say in where the crown goes this year with KWU World Champions Alexandre Drozd and Victor Belyaev both vying for the title but there is some great opposition from around the globe with both last years 3rd place winners crowd favourite Clai Henry from the USA, and Zsolt Zsiga of Hungary looking to go one further and make the final. Also look out for Romanian kicker Catalin Mocanu who should excite with his fast aggressive style.
Mens Heavyweight
2018 Champ Aleksandr Karshigeev also looks for a 3rd crown but teammate Vitalii Ishakneli will want to add to his IFK World and European titles. With some many good heavyweights its hard to pick only a few favourites but look out for Euro champs JP Jacquot of France and Eventas Guzaukas. Also we have two top fighters doing it for the over 40’s with former World Champion Samson Muripo coming all the way from Zimbabwe and multi time Euro champ Pablo Estensoro Spain
Womens LW
As Womens events go from strength to strength six time Champion Emma Markwell will look at this division and see it packed with depth. Her opponent last year Teona gazdeliani is back as a KWU World Champion, IFK World Champs runner up Rima Artemova also wants to avenge her 2014 loss to Markwell. WKO new European golden girl Skaiste Venckute will hope her high workrate can take her far and hard punching Alina Polishchuk of Russia will fancy her chances of gold. Can last years semi finalist Hayley Beth Rowlands push for a higher ranking this year.
Womens HW
Another division packed with quality and who can pick a winner from KWU and IFK World Champion Agata Winiarska, KWU World Champion Maria Papdopoulou, Svetlana Tuchkova former IFK World Champion, Marta Lubos Poland and Sara Hagge Sweden both European Champions.
With such a packed field, we are looking at one of the most exciting tournaments to date.
Severn Challenge 2018 - Results
Mia Morgan (BKK Wales) performing Kanku Dai
The Severn Challenge was held on the 8th September 2018 and hosted by BKK Wales, with competitors from BKK England, BKK Wales, IFK Ireland, IKK England and WKK Wales.
A big thank you to all those that attended, in what was a very successful tournament.
Osu!
High Grade Kata finalists (L-R): Mia Morgan BKK Wales (2nd place), Chloe Slocombe BKK England (3rd place), Luke Davies BKK Wales (1st place)
Team England (L-R): Shihan Sunil Tailor, Charlotte Raisen, Ashley Black, Charlie Denton, Bradley Rowlinson, Callum Breward, Brandon Wise, Luke Sabey, Jude Ibrahim, Nikhil Patel, Charlie Watson, Chloe Slocombe, Leon Tailor, Mia Hawkins, James Baker, Evanya Tailor, Sensei Wai Cheung
Team Wales
MORE PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
English Open 2018 results
The BKK held a successful English Open 2018 on the 13th May for UK and Ireland based organisations, which included categories for Open Adult, Novice, Cadet and, for the first time in BKK history, Junior IFK Kyokushin rules fighting.
Jim Barton (BKK Verwood) dropping a well timed jodan mawashi geri
Luke Baldwin (BKK Mountain Ash, and Team GB) on his way to the 2018 English Open Middleweight Title
Team GB announced for IFK European 2018 tournament
The adult and U18 GB Knockdown Team has been announced for the IFK European tournament, held in Armenia on the 7th and 8th April.
(clockwise): Gab Barbu, Blake Collins, Emma Markwell, Jaime-May Rowlands, Beth Salvi, Luke Baldwin, Hayley-Beth Rowlands
We wish them the best as they move into the final weeks of preparation. Representing IFK Great Britain will be:
U18 Team
- Jaime May Rowlands U18 BKK Cwmbran
- Bethany Salvi U18 BKK Crawley
- Sensei Wai Cheung Coach
Adult Team
- Emma Markwell Lightweight BKK Westcroft
- Hayley Beth Rowlands Lightweight BKK Cardiff
- Blake Collins Middleweight BKK Crawley
- Luke Baldwin Middleweight BKK Mountain Ash
- Gabriel Barbu Heavyweight BKK Crawley
- Sensei Kenny Jarvis Coach
New GB Knockdown Head Coach - Sensei Kenny Jarvis (3rd Dan)
Announcing the appointment of three-time British Open Champion and numerous international titles, Sensei Kenny Jarvis (3rd Dan), as new GB Knockdown Squad Head Coach with immediate effect.
We will now be looking for skills coaches for both England and Wales to backfill and support the current coaching team.
BKK Wales success at Pilatus Cup, Switzerland
Congratulations to the BKK Wales Team, coached by Sensei Chris Davies, attending this year's Pilatus Cup in Switzerland which was kata and Kyokushin Rules tournament only.
Low Grade kata (girls)
Niamh Warner 3rd
High grade kata (girls)
Mia Morgan. 1st
Seren Harries. 2nd
Holly Harvey. 3rd
High grade kata (boys)
Luke Davies. 1st
William Lawrence. 4th
Kyokushin Rules 11-13yrs (girls)
Lili Bryan. 2nd
Kyokushin Rules 11-13yrs (boys)
Rhys Meredith. 1st
Kyokushin rules 14-15 (girls)
Holly Harvey. 1st
Mia Morgan 2nd
Kyokushin Rules 14-15 (boys)
Luke Davies. 1st
Cadet L/W girls
Sophie Hobbs 2nd
Cadet H/W girls
Alicia Bennett. 1st
Diamond Cup and Scottish Open round up and results
The BKK had a busy weekend with competitors going to both the Diamond Cup in Belgium and the IKKU Scottish Open.
We had nine participants in Antwerp at the WKO event with Emma Markwell BKK securing her second diamond winning the -57kg title. In a strong field she worked her way to the final defeating Kimm Carriere from Canada in the semi.
Hayley Beth Rowlands also fought in the other semi final but lost out to the Bulgarian WKO European Champion. Its another successful step for Hayley as she works her way towards the top honours.
Also competing in the adults was Lisa Heath who made the Quarters but lost by decision to Swedish fighter Cecilia Wallin and Luke Baldwin who had a tough three rounder to the very durable Juan Carlos Auge of Spain.
The cadets had to fight with slightly different rules to what they are used to with helmets and light contact kicks to the head scoring waza ari so I don't think this suited their fighting style but it was still great experience for the three of them with Jaime May Rowlands and Jess Charsley taking joint 3rd and Luke Jones missing out to the head kick rule.
The BKK also competed in the Kata event with Janine Davies taking a credible 3rd place losing to the European Champion in the semi and Sunil Tailor missed out early on.
Meanwhile in Scotland the BKK had approximately twenty participants and they picked up lots of silverware.
We did really well in the Novice categories with gold Weronika Oleisejuk WHW , Harry Harden MLW and Dylan Baldwin MMW. Also Invictus got 2nd in MHW with Tristan Taylor and most spirited fighter Jon Joe Lawler in tough novice categories.
In the Open categories fight of the day saw MW final teammates Blake Collins and Dawid Ozga fight a tough three round battle with Collins sneaking a 3-2 decision .
Ben Watson of Westhill also deserves a mention for a very hard earned 3rd place in MHW to show he is improving all the time.
Overall the event was a tremendous success for the BKK with lots of valuable experience and we look forward to seeing them all compete at the BKK English Open in May!
Results
Diamond Cup
WLW Emma Markwell Westcroft 1st
WLW Hayley Beth Rowlands Cardiff 3rd
CGLW Jaime May Rowlands Cwmbran 3rd
CGLW Jess Charsley Verwood 3rd
Womens Kata Janine Davies Mountain Ash 3rd
Scottish Open
MMW Blake Collins Crawley 1st
MMW Dawid Ozga Crawley 2nd
MHW Ben Watson Westhill 3rd
WHW Lyndsey Moulden Ynysybwl 2nd
NWHW Weronika Olesiejuk Melton Mowbray 1st
NMLW Harry Harden Crawley 1st
NMMW Dylan Baldwin Mountain Ash 1st
NMHW Tristan Taylor Invictus 2nd
Veterans LW Sid Moulden Mountain Ash 2nd
Veterans LW Matthew Lawler Invictus 3rd
Veterans HW Dariousz Delecta West Yorkshire 3rd
Most Spirited Fighter Jon Joe Lawler Invictus
Good luck to all BKK fighters travelling to Belgium and Scotland this weekend
It's a busy weekend for BKK karateka with students participating in both the WKO Diamond Cup in Belgium and the IKKU Scottish Open in Glasgow.
Good luck to all competing.
Diamond Cup
Jess Charsley – Verwood Cadet GLW
Jaime May Rowlands – Cwmbran Cadet GLW
Luke Jones – Mountain Ash Cadet BLW
Emma Markwell – Westcroft LLW
Hayley Beth Rowlands – Cardiff LLW
Lisa Marie Heath – Mountain Ash LMW
Luke Baldwin – Mountain Ash MHW
Janine Davies – Mountain Ash W Kata
Sunil Tailor – Loughborough M Kata
Scottish Open
Weronika Olesiejuk – Melton Mowbray WNHW
Harry Harden - Crawley MNLW
Ryan Bullock - Derby - MNLW
Andis Didzus - Derby – MNLW
Adrian Bundoiu - Milton Keynes MNMW
Dylan Baldwin - Mountain Ash MNMW
John-Joe Lawlor - Invictus MNMW
Thomas Carrington-Roberts -Derby MNMW
Tomasz Czubacki - Derby MNMW
Normunds Pumpa - Derby - MNMW
Warner Morris - Oldham MNMW
Tristan Taylor - Invictus MNHW
Nigel Grant - Melton Mowbray MNHW
Zoeleigh Moulden - Mountain Ash WLW
Lyndsay Moulden - Ynysybwl WHW
Blake Collins - Crawley MMW
Dawid Ozga - Crawley MMW
Sami Mehio -Hastings & Bexhill MMW
Gabriel Barbu - Crawley MHW
Sidney Moulden - Mountain Ash Vets LW
Matthew Lawlor - Invictus Vets LW
Eddie Corcoran – Milton Keynes Vets HW
Dariousz Delecta - West Yorkshire vets HW
Good luck to Team GB at the 3rd KWU World Tournament
(L-R) Shihan Graham Warden, Gabriel Barbu, Emma Markwell, Lisa-Marie Heath, Sensei Roger Styles
The BKK wishes Team GB the best of luck at the 3rd KWU World Tournament held over two days this weekend (8th-9th December) in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
RESULTS: Sutani Belgium Youth and Beginners Tournament 2017
Teams England and Wales
BACK ROW (L to R)
Sensei Chris Davies (Wales coach), Maise Blackford (Eng), Luke Sabey (Eng), Luke Jones (Wales), Sophie Hobbs (Wales), Ame Sorge (Eng), Sensei Wai Cheung (Eng coach), Rob Salvi (Eng), Aaron Sheehan (Wales), Luke Davies (Wales), Max Williams (Wales), Sensei Tony White (Eng coach)
FRONT ROW (L to R)
Beth Salvi (Eng), Bart Proctor (Eng), Dennis Sorokins (Eng), Jessica Charsley (Eng), Rhys Meredith (Wales), Holly Harvey (Wales), Lili Bryan (Wales), Mia Morgan (Wales)
Results from the Sutani Belgium Youth and Beginners Tournament 2017:
Team England
Bart Procter 1st
Denis Sorokins 1st
Beth Salvi 2nd
Maesi Blackford 2nd
Ame Sorge 3rd
Team Wales
Max Williams 1st
Luke Jones 2nd
Rhys Meredith 2nd
Luke Davies 2nd
Mia Morgan 3rd
They did us proud!
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
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).
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