22/01/2026
THE CURTIS FAMILY
THREE GENERATIONS OF KUGB BLACK BELTS
Mike Curtis started training at the Rhyl and Prestatyn Shotokan Karate Club in 1973, three months after the club opened. During his time at the club he took part in a number of inter club competitions also taking part in the national championships in Crystal Palace.
Mike also helped the club, taking part in numerous demonstrations locally and helping to set up new clubs in the area.
Due to business commitments Mike stopped training around 1978 having gained his first Dan under the examination of Sensei’s Enoeda and Sherry.
Then we skipped a generation or so we thought and along came Francis Curtis in 2017. Francis was always very passionate about karate and was always trying to get others involved. He passed his 1st Dan in December 2017 under sensei’s Brennan and Harford and his second Dan in February 2024 under sensei’s Frank and Jimmy Brennan. Francis is an active member of the KUGB Welsh squad representing his country in both Kata and Kumite. He has numerous gold medals to his name and an impressive grand slam victory. He is now starting on the instructors ladder as well as carrying on competing and is a very valued member of the club.
Then along came dad. Matthew after watching for the best part of five years, decided to throw his hat in the ring. Right from the off he was really enthusiastic. He trained on a regular basis eventually training extra nights in Manchester with Sensei Harford. He completed the trilogy in October 2025 gaining his first Dan under Sensei Brennan, completing three generations of Curtis family Dan Grades. Matthew has shown a keen interest in instructing and if we twist his arm enough might even compete in this years KUGB Welsh Championships.
We at the club are very proud of this family
and there Three Generations of devotion to the club and the KUGB.
