01/09/2026
Good morning,
I would like to extend wholehearted thanks to everyone who supported this weekend’s BKF International Open in Sheffield:
• To athletes, Coaches and families who travelled from far and wide to joyfully compete in and support the Championships; you represented your clubs / associations and countries with panache and elan. The standard of both Karate and sportsmanship was excellent.
• Chief Referee Peter Bibby, his deputy Dan Phillips and their dedicated cohort of Referees and Table Officials adjudicated on each Tatami without fear or favour and a labour of love that saw us finish an hour early on day one and by 5:30pm on day two. When the Sportdata server wobbled and fell over on Saturday morning, they simply shrugged and pivoted to smoothly running the event using the pen and paper 1.0 method without missing a beat. Each Tatami had a deep bench of experience as well as some new Refereeing talent shining through.
• Dave Inman’s outstanding medical team ensured that athletes were in the safest of hands when they needed tending-to. They also managed the weigh-in with gentle diplomacy and timely finesse.
• My thanks to my admirable BKF boss Roger Williams, who effortlessly manages a balance between light touch delegation, steadfast support where required and a sprinkling of wise counsel.
• My sincere thanks to Debbie, whose administrative excellence and unerring consistency is a joy to behold.
• Much love to the team of volunteers (the inestimable and ever-supportive Team Rankine, Katie, Lesley and Sarah) who so selflessly gave of their time; without your warmth and goodwill tournaments like ours would not be possible.
• The perennially adorable Dino at AVA Sports, who once again partnered with the BKF to offer Championships T-shirts.
• The intensely competent Ali at Tokaido, who also partners with the BKF to ensure that the highest quality products are available at our events.
• The athletic poise and smiling beacon that is Luke when in Kicking Clothing mode, brought balance to our concession stands. To his eternal credit he also made time to compete on the Tatami.
• Josh Clapperton and the rest of the outstanding team at Winning Post Trophies; forever smiling, unutterably helpful and providing stunning quality.
• To my wife Sabina; thank you so much. You were among the first into the Championships hall on the Friday afternoon to help with preparations and the last to leave after we’d packed up. You were the welcoming face of the BKF (with that glorious beaming smile) on Reception – proving to everyone just how fortunate I am to have been promoted from fiancé over the last year.
If I've missed you out...it's only sleep deprivation and not a lack of appreciation that's responsible. Thank you so much!
As ever, I’m reminded of timeless wisdom from Take That…”someday soon this will all be someone else’s dream”. For now though, it has been my pleasure and privilege to work with you in delivering another BKF Championships and playing a collective role in facilitating dreams coming true. Speaking of which, I look forward to seeing you all at the BKF International Open 2027 over the weekend of the 28th and 29th August 2027. Details will be on Sportdata shortly. Please consider this your personal invitation and add the event to your diary.
Thanks again,
Raj Bhardwaj
BKF Tournament Organiser
Tel: +44 (0) 7769 697858 | e-mail: [email protected]
