Oxford University Karate Club

PT2: Action Shots!

🏆 VARSITY 2026 🏆 Part 1: Squad and Supporters

On March 1st, Cambridge's bravest travelled up to face off against the Oxford squad. They put up a fight, but a dominant performance by OUKC resulted in a final score of 182-124 to Oxford - and (inexplicably) a Cambridge win. Rule change? Who said that?

Nevertheless, a fantastic time was had by all and some genuinely great karate displayed. Our thanks go to Cambridge for being the best enemies-to-lovers we could possibly hope for - and for getting up so early! A speedy but thorough pub trip with them ensued, and we can't wait to see them again next year.

With Cambridge departed, we sped along to Vinnie's to quench our thirst (thanks Lily's parents). Various antics ensued, culminating in a trip to Bridge to work on some intraclub chemistry... 😉

OUKC (and your faithful social sec) out! 💙💙💙

3 days until Varsity. Here's the Dark Blue squad ready to see off Cambridge.

One last high-energy training session with Sensei Ohta of to hone our skills before taking on Cambridge this Sunday!

🔷️👑🔷️ KARATE VARSITY 2026 🔷️👑🔷️

After narrowly dodging each other at BUCS, Oxford faces off with Cambridge to defend their newly won title in a mixed competition of Kata (performances) and Kumite (fighting). No holds barred ;)

Sunday. Iffley Gym. See you there. 👊

🔷️🥋 BUCS 2026 🥋🔷️

Enjoy some highlights from a tough weekend at BUCS from an even tougher squad of Oxford's finest! Some absolutely liquid karate was on display, even if that liquid was milk - the O.G. Sports Drink, I am informed. We all got some good wins on the mat in preparation for our hotly anticipated Varsity Match - can we retain the title of Oxford's not-worst sports team for another year??

We're particularly proud to have come 5th out of 18 universities in male team kumite at the largest Karate BUCS on record, with our small squad prevailing over some much larger and better resourced teams.

Especial congratulations are due, as ever, to our valiant men's captain, Dylan Hughes, who won a bronze in the Senior Men's Kata! He fought his way bravely through round after round in one of the largest categories, having to pull unpracticed katas out of his back pocket to beat his opponents - maybe Unsu can stay in the pocket next time. We've really never been prouder. 🥉🫡

THE WAIT IS OVER🥸

OUKC’s Termcard for Trinity is here and because we have a slightly lighter social calendar this term due to varsity (😰) attendance is all the more important. Noah and I are not allowed to make threats but attendance at socials is VERY STRONGLY ENCOURAGED ‼️.

This term we are locking in for varsity prep but let the wise words of wiz khalifa guide you (to karate socials)- unfortunately I could not add work hard play hard to this post because of the business nature of this account😞

As always, drinking is liable to occur but is not required to have an amazing time - details posted at the start of each week in our student WhatsApp (student speak).

See you all soon!🫶

‼️ RECENT KARATE NEWS ‼️

It has been a busy term for all at Oxford, but for no one is this more true than for the OUKC squad. After an appropriate enough length of time for the wounds (mostly to my pride, some to my face) to heal and my caffeine to set in, I bring you a squad roundup.

We begin with the JKA England Open. A sizeable squad went up to try our hand at the first major competition of the year - and what an experience it was. The team performed well in the face of tough opposition, with over 500 competitors and 10 different national squads flying in. In the end, we returned with bronze medals in team kumite, having battled through Germany and France - only to lose to a dojo from Stratford. Our bling was secured by a squad comprising the fearsome duo of Rasmus and Vanessa, with the rear brought up by the significantly-less-fearsome yours truly. I did get to meet the medics' lovely dog though.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the bananas proudly displayed in the third slide were from this same competition. More fool you. Persistence from Jono lead a smaller squad to the EKF Open. Our lust for blood and bananas is endless. In the end, we returned with two further bronze medals, won by myself and Jono respectively, while our hopes of competing in team kumite were frustrated by sudden illness and annoying train schedules. Another incredibly tough set of competitors, I say to myself in consolation, nursing the lip punched by a 2x European champion.

Last but not least, we had Kata cuppers! A great field of 17 competitors, narrowed to 6 finalists, resulted in our men's captain sailing his way to the gold, hotly pursued by Nottingham-transfer Oliver and our multitalented women's captain Vanessa. I am obliged to mention that kumite cuppers is this Saturday - alternative obligations prevent me from attending (everyone cheers and sighs with relief) but Rasmus will still be there to scrap.

Finally, swipe to see your social secretaries busy with Varsity prep - I promise the Shoe the Tabs sign is in the back there somewhere. It seems that the extra s&c sessions we'd threatened have, thus far, materialised only in the form of dancing in Bridge.

Some familiar faces were back for our final session with Sensei Ohta of term! Until next time, when varsity prep begins in earnest ;)

THE WAIT IS OVER ‼️‼️

OUKC's Termcard for Michaelmas is here and, safe to say, our social calendar is *almost* as packed as our training schedule. Lily said I wasn't allowed to make social attendance mandatory but they are STRONGLY ‼️ ENCOURAGED ‼️ - eleonore and I will track you down.

Next term we will be doubling down on varsity prep so get your in NOW. We've got lots of socials and tiki wristbands to spare...

Especially exciting this term is our freshers pub trip in week 2, a college bar crawl with 🕺💃 in week 3, and a crewie with 🥊 to trade week 5 blues for a better variety... we finish it all with Oxmas dinner.

As always, drinking is liable to occur but is not required to have a banging time - details posted at the start of each week in our whatsapp ;)

🏆2025 SPORTS AWARDS🏆

Last week, on Monday 16th July, several OUKC members went to the University’s annual Sports Awards. Karate had been shortlisted in two categories: Sporting Moment of the Year, for our historic and decisive Varsity win after 19 years of loss; and Johanna Hoffmann (), our truly unbelievable outgoing president, for her Outstanding Contribution to Sport, for her single-handed establishment of the international university karate course held at the start of term - the first and only one of its kind.

While karate unfortunately missed out on the Sporting Moment of the Year (biggest congratulations to ‘s Omar Lecointe’s brilliant, Varsity-winning throw for taking the prize!), it was an honour to have been shortlisted and recognised for the hard work and dedication that our committee and our members have put into the club.

Johanna Hoffmann, however, was not only among the award winners of Outstanding Contributions, but WON the overall MOST OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SPORT 2025! Jo, we could not be more proud of you and the sheer amount of effort and dedication you have put into this club to make it what it is. You are so deserving, and we are immensely lucky to have had you lead us.

Thank you so much to for setting up such a lovely event, as well as for your continued support throughout the last year; we’ll see you for the awards or 2026!

OSS! 🥋