GKR Karate Region 22 Stoke-On-Trent, United Kingdom

29/09/2026

🥋🔥 **CELEBRATING OUR DOJO FAMILY!** 🔥🥋

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well!

Starting this week, we’re making a small change to our weekly posts! 🎉

Alongside our **Student Leaderboard**, we’ll now be celebrating any **9th Kyu (Yellow Tip)** and **7th Kyu-Ho (Orange Tip)** gradings from the previous week. 🟡🟠

This means our newly graded students don’t have to wait until the next monthly post to receive the recognition they deserve! Every step forward deserves to be celebrated, and we want our whole dojo family to share in those achievements. 👊🥋

So, without further ado…

🎉 **A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR NEW 9TH KYU STUDENTS!** 🎉

These gradings took place between **7th September – 27th September**, and every single one of you should be incredibly proud of the work you’ve put in.

🏆 And of course, **CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TOP TEN STUDENTS!** 🏆

Your hard work, commitment and attitude continue to set a fantastic example within our dojos.

Remember, every belt starts with a single step. Keep training, keep learning, keep supporting one another and, most importantly, keep enjoying the journey! 🥋❤️

**We’re not just building karateka — we’re building a community.** 🤝

Keep up the hard work, everyone. Who knows where it will lead you on your karate journey! 🌟

👏 **Well done to everyone — your dojo family is proud of you!** 👏

16/09/2026

Please see flyers attached for upcoming events

12/09/2026

🥋✨ **What a fabulous grading weekend!** ✨🥋

Last Sunday saw our September grading and what a grading it was! Filled with **effort, enthusiasm, encouragement and determination** from everyone involved. ❤️

A huge **well done and congratulations** to everyone who graded! You should be incredibly proud of yourselves and the hard work, commitment and dedication you’ve shown in the lead-up to the day. It was fantastic to see so many of you step up, challenge yourselves and give it your very best. 👏🌟

And a special shout-out to everyone who came along to train and support, even though you weren’t grading this time. **Your dedication, consistency and willingness to keep learning and improving are just as important.** We’re all part of the same journey, and every training session counts. 💪🥋

For those who weren’t successful this time, please don’t let the result define your journey. **Take the feedback on board, work on those areas and use it as motivation to come back even stronger.** There is always another opportunity, and we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. ❤️

Most importantly, let’s celebrate the **effort, courage and commitment shown by everyone**. Every one of you has contributed to making it such a positive and supportive weekend.

Be proud of yourselves, be proud of each other, and keep moving forward together. 🥋❤️

**Massive congratulations, everyone! You should all be proud!** 👏👏

Best Regards,
Sensei Carol, Sensei Libby & the R22 Instructor Team 🥋

05/09/2026

Grading Day TOMORROW - 6th September 2026🥋

Congratulations to all of our students who have been put forward for grading this month!🤩

Here’s what you need to know👇🏼

📍 Grading will take place at Birches Head Academy in the MAIN HALL

🕙STUDENTS ATTEMPTING YELLOW OR ORANGE BELT - Grading/Assessment begins at 2pm and will take 1hr.

🕚 ALL OTHER GRADES - Grading/Assessment begins at 3:15pm and will take 1.5 hrs

Don’t be late! Please arrive at least 10mins early to sign in and warm up.

💳 Grading fee to be paid on arrival at the sign in desk - CARD ONLY.
🥋 Full Gi (karate uniform) including belt AND badge is mandatory at gradings.
💧Bring a bottle of water with you - there will be drink breaks just like a normal class.
Bring your Full training card with you

Good Luck everyone!💥

30/08/2026

Back home and showered after a very sweaty 2 day, 12 hours, of karate at Black Belt Camp 2026. (One of the benefits of this being on our doorstep and not having to drive hours)

An absolute honour to introduce some of our R22 instructors to this annual event, I doubt it will be their last!

Another awesome weekend with likeminded karate-ka from across the Uk! It has once again been amazing to refine our existing knowledge and learn new little nuggets to enhance and improve our individual journeys.

Finally a huge privilege to witness gradings of Yon-Dan (4th) and Go-Dan (5th) to RMs and instructors.

Perhaps next year you can join us?

25/08/2026

17/08/2026

I know some R22 students have asked so here is the Link for northern zone tournament on 19th September.

🥋🏆 NORTHERN ZONE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT – LET’S GO! 🏆🥋

Fresh from an incredible GKR Karate World Cup, it’s time to get back on the tournament floor!

This will be our FIRST tournament since the World Cup and our LAST tournament before the UK National Titles, so it’s the perfect opportunity to compete, gain experience and put all that hard work in the dojo into action! 💪🔥

🥋 WHITE & YELLOW BELTS
We’ll be running Kihon and Bag Sumo events – a fantastic introduction to tournament competition for our newer students!

⚡ BRAND NEW EVENT!
For our senior competitors, we’re introducing Continuous Kumite for the 18+ Black Belt division!

Whether you’re entering your very first tournament or preparing to make your mark at the UK National Titles, we want to see Northern Zone out in force! 👊

🔴 INDIVIDUAL COMPETITOR ENTRY:
https://gkrkarateshop.co.uk/product/northern-zone-regional-2026-competitor-entry/

🔵 TEAM ENTRY:
https://gkrkarateshop.co.uk/product/team-entry/

🏆 Get your entries in, get training and let’s make this another fantastic Northern Zone tournament!

08/08/2026

Another outstanding grading last weekend! A huge congratulations to you all on your hard work, dedication, and progress. 🥋👏

Your commitment and determination continue to inspire. Be proud of how far you’ve come, and keep pushing yourselves to reach the next level. The journey doesn’t stop here — keep training, keep believing, and keep striving for excellence!

Well done, everyone! 💪🥋
Warm regards, Sensei Carol, Sensei Libby & the R22 Instructor Team 🥋

03/08/2026

🏅 **Congratulations to all of our competitors!** 🏅

What a fantastic World Cup event! A huge congratulations to every competitor who took part. Your hard work, dedication, determination, and commitment have all led to this moment, and you should be incredibly proud of your achievements.

A special thank you goes to all the family, friends, and supporters who came along to cheer everyone on. Your encouragement and support make such a difference and help create an amazing atmosphere at every event.

Finally, thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success.

📊 **Results are now available** – check out the link below to see how everyone got on. 👇
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gkrkarate.com%2Ftournaments%2F2026-world-cup%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtIHZGu6xFtUv-Gdxf0-eA2kizUHE-wf3oWSZNORF_ZaFTraZFVQcvfs0Pwq_aem_yV4APF2-Yd4VC0MmML0kVA&h=AUANnRFgSG5sI1fV66AxTsWcKLMx0br9nVAZCIN8rHP8B2aH2uAs2y85DfIWzHNO5qyOjNEnOYexnETY0yPxPf-gmb3UQWvdCPFUU3QYGsjSlQl91dN34qiIl-kGBAk6oJoh&__tn__=H-R&c[0]=AUABOc4sZ8kKRXC9oz8DkuoguRdCEfOdxVkKOrjan_F2Wgjgvv8OdWBDq4XdJ2S0hpZigcZGX_25BqrqWxWFING6x2HzWMYsfJvybKvsdLbj-kFGcjBVyb6f7OTRbmb45CITwSzRVulqHxV_gAwFJT5SYa0nQEoO32PrXhZ4ipG5CD6pcRA5NWyMCXCPr3-ZgrOC-3SeF_fC9l40GIvMDtA_qxzY

24/07/2026

🥋🌍 To every athlete competing at the GKR Karate World Cup...

Take a moment to appreciate how far you've come. Standing in the arena representing your club, your teammates, and your country is an achievement that few will ever experience.

Enjoy the incredible atmosphere, embrace the challenge, and show the world the true spirit of karate—respect, humility, courage, and excellence. Every bow, every kata, every kumite match is an opportunity to honour the values that unite us as karateka.

Remember, you have already earned your place among the world's best. Through countless hours of training, sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance, you are already champions.

Compete with passion. Win with humility. Learn with dignity. Above all, enjoy every moment of this unforgettable experience.

Good luck to every athlete, coach, referee, and supporter. Make lifelong memories, inspire one another, and celebrate the spirit of Karate.

We are all behind you and wishing you all the very best!