Exeter Shotokan Karate Club

Please join us in wishing Sensei Frank Brennan a very Happy 65th Birthday.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Roger Green, 5th Dan, a long-standing and dedicated member of the KUGB.
Roger was a true stalwart of our community, known for his passion, energy, and unwavering commitment to karate. As a valued member of the Cullompton club, he always trained with enthusiasm and embodied the spirit of KUGB karate.

Roger's attitude was infectious, he inspired those around him with his dedication and genuine love for the art. His presence in the dojo and within the wider KUGB family will be deeply missed.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Roger’s family, friends, and all the karateka whose lives he touched.

Rest in peace, Roger.

📢 Wishing Our Southern Region Competitors the Best of Luck! 🏆🥋

The KUGB Southern Region is proud to support our members representing England in the first Grand Slam of the year! 🔥

Whether it’s your debut on the squad, marking an exciting new chapter in your karate journey, or another chance to showcase your experience and dedication, this is an opportunity to grow, learn, and challenge yourself.

Win or lose, every step on this journey makes you stronger. Embrace the experience, give it your all, and most importantly—enjoy every moment. We’ll be cheering you on all the way! 💪👏

Good luck, Team England! 🍀👊

🌟 Our Southern Region squad members are:

Kata and Kumite
Ruan Welsman, Exeter
Victor Topor, Exeter
Xander Triggs, Tiverton
Alexander Lockett, Chelmsford
Megan Naylor-Jones, Chelmsford
Anna Purcell, Chelmsford
Ben Whiteman, Chelmsford

Kata
David H**e, Exeter
Lee Root, Stock
Seren Greaves, Portsmouth Knight Karate

Kumite
Samuel Campbell, Stock
Evie Sycamore, Lympstone
Christina Furtuna, Chelmsford
Hana Ahmed, Portsmouth Knight Karate

KUGB ENGLAND KATA SQUAD SELECTION 2025 🥋

Following selection at the Red Triangle Karate Club today in Liverpool, many congratulations to the following Karateka who were selected to the KUGB England Kata Squad under the watchful eye of Sensei Frank Brennan (8th Dan).

Laura Smith, Barnsley
Alan Lea, South Notts
Chui-Yi Lau, Shotokan Karate Academy
Cristina Finta, Shotokan Karate Academy
Nilupuli Samarasinghe, Barnsley
David H**e, Exeter
Alexander Cockx, Hale
Ethan Brown, Leeds Shotokan
Megan Naylor-Jones, Chelmsford
Lee Root, Stock
Alexander Lockett, Chelmsford
Grace Snowdon, Sendai Kushiro
Ava Coulthard, Sendai Kushiro
Nicole Janowicz, Kirkby
Rojin Rafie, Sendai Kushiro
Taryn Langley, St John's
Evie Newman, Tamworth
Kay Prachunla, Hale
Anna Purcell, Chelmsford
Charlie King, Regashi Karate Academy
James Sherlock, University of Liverpool
Megan Fox, Sendai Kushiro
Skyla Munyaneza, North Staffs
Serena Matyas-Sari, Leeds Shotokan
Azhin Rafie, Sendai Kushiro
Mayon Jayawickrama, Leeds Shotokan
Sofia Zarifi, Sendai Kushiro
Seren Greaves, Portsmouth Knight Karate
Ruan Welsman, Exeter
Catrin Morris, York Elite
Kirikaran Subaskaran, Barnsley
Sean Leader, Red Triangle
Harry Stockton, Ataru
William Glover, Bury St Edmund's
Victor Topor, Exeter
Xander Triggs, Tiverton
Naina Kurup, Sendai Kushiro
Finja Weinzierl, Sendai Kushiro
Hiba Jeaidi, St John's

KUGB ENGLAND KUMIITE SQUAD SELECTION 🥋

Following selection at the University of Liverpool earlier today, many congratulations to the following Karateka who were selected to the KUGB England Kumite Squad under the watchful eye of Sensei Frank Brennan (8th Dan).

Cameron Graham, Kirkby
Ethan Armstrong, Leeds Shotokan
Jade Stapleton-Smith, Leeds Shotokan
Alex Cockx, Hale
Callum Wilson, St John's
Niall Gilligan, Solihull Karate Academy
Ethan Brown, Leeds Shotokan
Samuel Campbell, Stock
Rebecca Morrison, Kirkby
Josh Morrison, Kirkby
Emma Lloyd, Solihull Karate Academy
Spike Marriott, York Elite
Constantino Alvarez Odell, York Elite
Ruan Welsman, Exeter
Bradley Barker, Kirkby
Rebecca Adie, Sendai Kushiro
Thomas Hegarty, Solihull Karate Academy
Alexander Lockett, Chelmsford
Christina Furtuna, Chelmsford
Nicole Janowicz, Kirkby
Jake Roberts, Tamworth
Charlie King, Regashi Karate Academy
Rhianna Begley, St John's
James Sherlock, University of Liverpool
Tulsi Prakash, University of Liverpool
Rojin Rafie, Sendai Kushiro
Evie Newman, Tamworth
Taryn Langley, St John's
Luke Curnyn, Kirkby
Anna Purcell, Chelmsford
Josh Begley, St John's
Hana Ahmed, Portsmouth Knight Karate
Kirikaran Subaskaran, Barnsley
Evelyn Sycamore, Lympstone
Toby Holliday, York Elite
Azhin Rafie, Sendai Kushiro
Mayon Jayawickrama, Leeds Shotokan
Benjamin Adie, Sendai Kushiro
Amandeep Singh, Solihull Karate Academy
Skyla Munyaneza, North Staffs
Serena Matyas-Sari, Leeds Shotokan
Sofia Zarifi, Sendai Kushiro
Zain Steers, Solihull Karate Academy
Xanthe Curtis, Regashi Karate Academy
Axshayan Kularajah, Barnsley
Harry Stockton, Ataru
Jamie Larkey, Kirkby
Victor Topor, Exeter
Oliver Curnyn, Kirkby
Ruby Shaw, Kirkby
Xander Triggs, Tiverton
Noah Warwick, Kirkby
Naina Kurup, Sendai Kushiro
Finja Weinzierl, Sendai Kushiro
Olivia Cox, Solihull Karate Academy
William Challoner, St John's
Hiba Jeaidi, St John's
Morakinyo Oluokun, Sendai Kushiro

The Exmouth Cup is a month away on Saturday 20th July at Uffculme Sport and Fitness.

As previous years all proceeds will go to the chosen charity, which this year is Armed forces bikers who help veterans in need.

However we need your help to ensure the competition runs successfully with monetary sponsorship or donations to the raffle. In previous years we have raised over £2000 for the chosen charity, we would like to do the same or better this year as Sensei Dan Walpole of Brixham is a veteran and works with the charity.

If you can sponsor anything at all please get in touch with Sensei Marianne Fox(Lympstone) ,or alternatively Sensei Kevin Berry(Exmouth, Clyst Vale) or Sensei Dan Walpole(Brixham).

Please message us or contact Marianne on 07729184676 / [email protected]

All KUGB clubs are welcome to participant.

KUGB Black Belt Grading Success
Venue / Course: Paignton Sports Centre / Residential Week
Date: 12th April 2024
Grading Examiners: Sensei F Brennan, J Brennan, B Higgins & G Harford

Passed: Mark Taylor 1st Dan and Ruan (Ru) Welsman 1st Dan
Club: Exeter Shotokan Karate Club

Congratulations to both of you on your black belt grading.
Two different journeys!
This seems like the right time to give some background to this achievement and comment on these individuals.

Mark’s journey along with his brother Wayne started in the 1980’s. Our club Sensei at the time was Dave Collacott. We were fortunate to have Sensei Dave in charge, he was a dynamic, no nonsense, informative and encouraging Sensei which rubbed off on all of us. Both Mark & Wayne were an integral part of the club at this time and graded successfully through to 1st kyu but through different work & lifestyle patterns, they both drifted away from the club. Fast forward to the 2010’s and Wayne returns to the club and achieves his 1st Dan. Mark arrives back at the club, quite a few years later in the early 2020’s and starts training. It’s not easy to restart, especially after a long break and no doubt you have to work twice as hard as you are always trying to catch up with your once youthful self! We only put students forward for their Dan grade if they have the correct attitude, commitment and understanding. Mark was proving this to all of us in his training and had a solid spirited grading and well deserved result.

Ru, started training as a junior in 2009 (age 9). She was doing well but as with a lot of children, there are many other extra curricula options so unfortunately she stopped training. She re-joined the club in the early 2020’s and has been a force of nature ever since. She has frequently competed in both kata & kumite and achieved numerous podium finishes. Always the perfectionist, she constantly reviews and studies her karate, always wanting more information. She was fortunate to be part of our competition squad, so brushing shoulders with some talented individuals. For as long as I can remember, she is the student at the end on a class, working on her own, testing her kicking (hard) on the bag or kata detail, there is always something to re-inforce which you cannot do in the lesson. Moving on to the grading, she was well prepared and executed all aspects perfectly. This does not happen without a huge amount of training and hard work. Great spirit was on show throughout the grading, especially the kumite, with clear tactics, vigour & application.

Suffice to say, all members of the club are extremely proud of both of you!
Oss