Breaking News
WKU Summer Dan Grading Awards 2023: Alan Flook, 9th Dan – Steve Ward, 4th Dan – Danny Trott, 3rd Dan – Lizzy Haines, 2nd Dan – Terry Russell, 1st Dan – Shaun Nation, 1st Dan – Adam Zagrobelny, 1st Dan
Re-opening•Bristol Karate Club•Booking in is essential-call Mark•Seniors-Tuesday 22 June 2021•7.30-9pm•Juniors–Thursday 24 June 2021•Ages 5-9 at 6pm•Ages 10-16 at 7-8pm•
Re-opening•Brightlingsea•Wednesday 19 May 2021•6.30 – 7.30 pm•Juniors and Adults•Outside•Brightlingsea Infants School |
2019 WKU Winter Competition: GOLD–SABIQ SHEIKH, FLORANCE PARSONS, KENDRA JOHNSTONE, ANDRE CHINNICK, GEMMA CROSS, KYE CALLAGHEN SILVER-CASSIDY BACKHOUSE, CHARLOTTE HARMER, IVOR JOHNSON, RUBY LUCAS, RYLEIGH LUCAS,UKEY SHEARER-BURGESS,JAMES DIAMOND,BEAUDHI GUNTON, CORY HAYNES, ANDRE CHINNICK, LAUREN BICKLEY, SARAH ABDUGANI, GEMMA CROSS, BEN WELCH, MITCHELL WYATT-SUGG, KYE CALLAGHEN BRONZE-CALLUM BACKHOUSE, ANNIE WANT, HENRY DIAMOND, MAISIE PERRY, CALVIN LEE, NORMAN NATION, RAFI SHEARER-BURGESS,CORY HAYNES, OSCAR SURAI, HENRY DIAMOND, JOE STEEL, REABEN GUNTON, LAUREN BICKLEY, BEN WELCH.
BKF 4 Nations Championships 2019: SILVER–Ben Welch, BRONZE–Charlotte Harmer
WKU Spring Invitational Competition 2019: GOLD : Florance Parsons, Kendra Johnstone, Izabelle Freyer, Aston Prideaux, Ben Clark, Dexter Freyer, Rafi Shearer Burgess, Jenson Backhouse, Gemma Cross SILVER : Florance Parsons, Ruby Lucas, Charlotte Harmer x2, Alex Bernie, Girls team 10-12 Bristol BRONZE : Anya Thorpe, Ayo Garrick x2, Madison Thorpe, Callum Mounce, Sarah Abdugani, Cassidy Backhouse, Callum Backhouse, Boys Team 8-9 Bristol, Boys Team 10-12 Bristol, Ben Welch
WKU Winter Invitational Competition 2018: GOLD – Cassidy Backhouse, Joe Steel, Aston Prideaux, Callum Mounce, Sarah Abdugani, Gemma Cross SILVER Callum Backhouse, Florance Parsons,Callum Mounce, Lukey Shearer-Burgess, Izabelle Freyer, Gemma Cross, Rachel Taylor, Ben Welch, Kye Callaghan BRONZE – Florance Parsons, Riley Stevenson, Alex Bernie, Isabelle Wright, Ruby Lucas, Ryleigh Lucas, Henry Diamond, James Diamond, Kendra Johnstone, Dexter Freyer, Rafi Shearer-Burgess, Rachel Taylor, Charlotte Durrant, Lauren Bickley Team Kumite: BRONZE – Bristol SILVER – x2 Bristol GOLD – x2 Bristol
KSE 2018 Kata: BRONZE Harvey Quach, Louis Nolan
EKF Kyu Grade Championships 2018–GOLD: Sasha Wyatt-Sugg, Billy Haynes, Rachel Taylor, Mitchell Wyatt-Sugg SILVER: Lauren Bickley
WKU Winter Invitational Competition, 2017 BRONZE – Zuzanna Kolodziejczyk, Rafi Burgess, Alex Bernire, Lewis Cocking, Josephine Taylor, Bori Gunyits, Louis Nolan, Lauren Bickley, Rachel Taylor SILVER – Charlotte Harmer, Avani Kilsby, Kye Callaghan, Dexter Freyer, Callum Mounce, Andre Chinnick, Derek Wong GOLD – Kendra Johnstone, Ben Clark, Bilal Ditta, Lee Heath
Western Karate Union
Home / About Us / Who’s Who

Officers

Dave Wheatley 8th Dan WKU President Bristol Karate Club
Alan Flook 8th Dan Bristol Karate Club
Andy Gunton 7th Dan Bristol Karate Club
Les Birkin 8th Dan Colchester Traditional Karate Club
Robert Smith 7th Dan Griffin Karate Club
Kevin Barrett 6th Dan Clevedon Karate Club
Nigel Langson 6th Dan Clevedon Karate Club
Mark Haynes 5th Dan Bristol Karate Club
Ryan Lambotte 5th Dan Jersey Wado Ryu
James Smith 5th Dan Yeovil Karate Club
Jim Smith 4th Dan Colchester Traditional Karate Club
Steve Ahearne 4th Dan Jersey Wado Ryu
Jim Smith 4th Dan Colchester Traditional Karate Club
Maxine Baker 3rd Dan Bristol Karate Club

Dave Wheatley 8th Dan

Bristol Karate Club

Dave founded Bristol karate Club over 40 years ago. Under Dave’s leadership the club has built a great reputation and repeatedly won all the top titles. Dave was awarded the Bristol Lord Mayor’s medal for his service to sport karate and is President of the Western Karate Union.

Les Birkin 8th Dan

Colchester Traditional Karate Club

Alan Flook 8th Dan

Bristol Karate Club

Andy Gunton 7th Dan

Bristol Karate Club

Nine times Kata champion and long time member of the Bristol Karate Club, Andy has trained in Karate for more than 40 years. As an Association National Squad Coach for 17 years he has contributed to an impressive array of competition successes including the English, British and Commonwealth titles.

RS_1Robert Smith 7th Dan

Griffin Karate Club

Robert has trained and graded under some notable Japanese Instructors and is a founder member of WKU. His achievements include: UKKW South West Squad member – Southern EKA squad member (EKA) – National Squad member EKA; England A class Referee; Child Protection Officer for Club and National Associations; Executive and Technical Committee Member. Rob is Chair of the WKU Executive Committee.

markhaynes-new-12-12-16Mark Haynes 5th Dan

Bristol Karate Club

Mark Haynes has been involved in martial arts for many years and is actively involved in the running of Bristol Karate Club. The club is known for its strong kumite team – winners of many English and British titles both teams and individual success and Mark contributes with his experience both as competitor and coach. Mark works with Sarah Brueford as WKU Competition Coordinator and is WKU Treasurer.

kevin

Kevin Barrett 6th Dan

Clevedon Karate Club

British Referee and Kata Judge.

Nigel Langson 6th Dan

Clevedon Karate Club

Started training in 1972, in Kyushindo-Ky Karate under George Mayo and Dennis Bendrey in Bristol. Had to take a break from Karate on medical grounds in 1977. Restarted in 1987 in Higashi Karate under Phil Rodgers and Phil Mackenzie at Yatton. Opened Clevedon Karate club November 1992 with Kevin Barrett. Started on the refereeing trail in 1995 and is currently an England Referee.

Ryan Lambotte 5th Dan

Jersey Wado Ryu

James Smith 5th Dan

Yeovil Karate Club

Jim Smith 4th Dan

Colchester Traditional Karate Club

Steve Ahearne 4th Dan

Jersey Wado Ryu

Maxine Baker 3rd Dan

Bristol Karate Club

WKU Western Karate Union is a non profit making association promoting the study and practice of Karate, organising tournaments, competitions, courses and events. Members work at local, national and international levels. WKU regulates safe and structured training and examination and certification of karateka.

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