News

Interview with Amy Connell and Joe Kellaway

Its been a busy couple of weeks since Joe and Amy qualfied for the European Games which are being held in Minsk from the 21-30 June. There has been plenty of pre training and today Joe, Amy, Davin Pack BKF Kumite Coach and Gary Anderson BKF Performance Officer attended TeamGB to collect the offical kit to be worn at the 2nd European Games.

Connell and Kellaway selected to represent Team GB at the 2019 European Games

Connell and Kellaway selected to represent Team GB at the 2019 European Games

The BKF are delighted to announce that Amy Connell and Joe Kellaway have been selected to represent Great Britain at the forthcoming European Games in Minsk, Belarus.

The BKF will be carrying in depth interviews with both athletes in the coming weeks as they start their preparations and journey to Minsk.

'Trail to Tokyo' UK Sport Aspiration Fund

The British Karate Federation are pleased to announce its Performance Programme supporting athletes on the ”Trail to Tokyo” utilising the investment award made to Karate from UK Sport, via the Aspiration Fund.

David Inman new WKF Appointment

David Inman New WKF Appointment - Para Karate

Amy Connell and Joe Kellaway take step towards Tokyo

Amy Connell and Joe Kellaway boosted their Tokyo 2020 qualification bids as the pair each claimed bronze medals at the European Karate Championships in Spain.

KARATE HAILS “UNIQUE SITUATION” OF THE SPORT AS CAMPAIGN TO REQUEST PARIS 2024 INCLUSION CONTINUES

While the wave of support to include Karate in the list of additional sports for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 intensifies, the World Karate Federation continues taking steps against the decision to exclude the discipline from the proposal of added sports which was announced by the Organizing Committee of the 2024 Olympic Games.

WKF MEETS PARIS 2024 ORGANISING COMMITTEE

The Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 (OCOG) welcomed on Wednesday, March 6 the President of the World Karate Federation (WKF), Antonio Espinos, the General Secretary of the WKF Toshihisa Nagura and the President of the French Karate Federation Francis Didier. At the meeting, the COJO was represented by its President Tony Estanguet, the General Director Etienne Thobois, the Director of Sports Jean-Philippe Gatien, and the Deputy Director of Sports Aurelie Merle.

European Games Minsk 2019

The BKF forwards its congratulations to Dale Gamble who has been selected to represent Great Britain as a Karate Referee/Official in the European Games which will be held in Minsk in June 2019.

Given that there will only be 22 Referee/Officials selected from differing nations in the Karate event in Minsk Dale's selection is a tremendous and notable achievement.

Lauren Salisbury British Karates first Youth Olympic Bronze Medalist

What a journey for Lauren Salisbury, history has been made for British Karate with a wonderful Olympic bronze medal won. Massive congratulations to Lauren and BKF Coach Davin Pack. It’s been quite the story for Lauren, qualifying earlier this year in Croatia and ending up with that prized Olympic medal in Argentina. One word Outstanding!

Congratulations to Charlotte Hope who has also had a fantastic time no medal this time but Charlotte has had a great 12 months winning bronze at the junior worlds and gold at the junior Europeans. Both athletes have been fantastic ambassadors for the sport of karate. Thank you to BKF Coach Davin Pack who coached the athletes in Buenos Aries and to BKF coach Paul Newby who also helped guide both athletes on their path to the Youth Olympics. Gary Anderson who’s experience in Olympics matters has been invaluable. Finally to all the athletes club coach’s, family and supporters thank you for being part of this journey and supporting our athletes.

Full report to follow.

Youth Olympic history for the British Karate Federation

Good luck to BKF Coach Davin Pack and our first Youth Olympians Lauren Salisbury & Charlotte Hope. Our 3 representatives are now on their way with Team GB to Argentina.

2018 BKF International Open Championships

The 2018 BKF International Open Championships was run at Leicester Arena on the 22^nd and 23^rd of September. Congratulations to JKS Scotland, who came top of the club / team medal table, with JKS England attaining a close-fought second and Kaisho Karate just behind in third.

The full medal results (by country, club and competitor) can be viewed on Sportdata:

Results by country and club

Results for each category

David Smith BKF Patron

At the BKF meeting on Saturday 22/9/18 it was brought to the attention of the Executive Committee that David Smith MBD has suffered a relapse of his spinal condition. The BKF board would like to extend their heartfelt sympathy and hope that he takes on this new battle with the strength and resolution that he has previously shown.

British Karate’s First Youth Olympians

Charlotte Hope and Lauren Salisbury made history by being officially named in the TeamGB squad for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina next month.

Youth Olympic Games Update

With the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina now just five months away Great Britain had its first confirmed qualifier this week and news that five other young athletes are to participate in the final stage of qualification at the Youth Olympic Games Qualification Tournament in Croatia at the end of this month.

High Performance karate coach vacancy

Salary: Negotiable (dependent on experience)

Working hours: We are aiming to recruit a full-time coach but that alternative proposals can be considered

Place of work: The MSP will require significant flexibility but will be based at Manchester

Applications to close on Friday 1st June Proposed Interview date Weds 20th June

Applications to; Garry.Adams@gbtaekwondo.co.uk - HR Manager

Information

Darlene Foster flying the Flag for Wales at the Senior Para Karate Championships 2018

Congratulations to Darlene Foster who represented Wales (WKGB) at the Senior European Championships in Novi Sad.

2018 BKF 4 Nations Championships

The 2018 BKF 4 Nations Championships was run at Leicester Arena on the 26^th and 27^th of May. Congratulations to JKS England, who came top of the club / team medal table, with CEK Association attaining a close-fought second and WIKF England just behind in third.

We’re delighted to share a highlights video from the Championships: https://youtu.be/8Gz5SoQKEt0

The full medal results (by country, club and competitor) can be viewed on Sportdata:

Charlotte Hope GB’s first Youth Olympian in Karate

Meet Charlotte Hope the British Karate Federation and English Karate Federations first Youth Olympian. Charlotte trains at Links Karate Club part of the EKKA karate association within the English Karate Federation.

BKF Operation Flow Chart

In order to bring some clarity to the karate community please see BKF Flow Chart depicting how the BKF World class programme will operate - the flow chart also depicts how the Medal Support Plan operates as a separate entity.

2018 Youth Olympic Games

This summer the 2018 Youth Olympic Games takes place in Buenos Aeries, Argentina (6-18 October 2018).

Medal Success for the Home Nations in Sochi – Junior Europeans 2018

Wonderful success for our home nations athletes with 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals from England & Scotland.

UK Sport investment

The British Karate Federation are delighted to have secured continued investment from UK Sport for which it is extremely grateful. This financial support means British Karate will be able to continue implementing its High Performance Programme in the lead up to the 2020 Olympic Games and beyond.

British Karate Federation would like to take this opportunity to thank STUK for providing its World Class Karate athletes with access to training and medical facilities at the STUK Manchester HQ.

BKF Athlete Pathways

The BKF have designed and are now about to instigate an athlete high performance athway. The purpose of this pathway is to assist talented British karate-ka to learn and develop into international competitors, capable of achieving podium places in international competitions and ultimately the Olympic Games.

Medal Success at the Junior World Championships Tenerife 2017

Congratulations to all the home nations that took part in the Junior World Championships in Tenerife.

Mike Dinsdale 9th Dan

Congratulations to Mike Dinsdale who was awarded his 9^th Dan by the BKF President Roger Williams at the BKF International Championships in Scotland. Mike Dinsdale is not only the WKF representative on the board of the English Karate Federation but, is also a director of the BKF and on the European Karate Federation and World Karate Federation Committees. Congratulations from the BKF.