26/10/2026
Another Successful Outing for Shinzoku Ryu
This time, our competitors travelled to Sheffield to compete at the 16th WUKF European Karate Championships, representing the Kenshin Karate Organisation - Great Britain.
Among a strong contingent from Shinzoku Ryu were Sensei Emily, Keith, Steve, Katie, Matty, Madison, Isla, Penelope and Raine. With a mixture of seasoned internationals and athletes experiencing competition at this level for the first time, the team certainly rose to the occasion and did not disappoint.
Sensei Emily
Sensei Emily had an outstanding championship, securing Silver in Kata, narrowly missing Gold by just 0.1 points in a tie-break, and Silver in Kumite after an extremely close contest. However, she finished the event in style by helping her team secure Gold in Team Kumite, earning the title of European Champion.
Keith
Competing against a strong field of experienced opponents, Keith finally got over the line to claim Gold in the 51+ Open Weight Ippon category, becoming European Champion in his division.
Steve
In his first major international competition, Steve battled through a highly competitive category to earn an impressive Bronze medal. Facing seasoned competitors, he showed tremendous determination and, perhaps most importantly, finally started listening!
Katie
Katie entered a very strong Kata division where her scores from previous years would likely have secured Gold. Unfortunately, she finished 4th, missing out on Bronze by just 0.1 points. In Kumite, she performed admirably before losing to the eventual finalist. Katie was also part of two victorious Kumite teams, helping secure two Team Gold medals and earning the distinction of being a double European Champion.
Matty
Possibly competing for the last time for a while before joining the Royal Navy, Matty added yet another international medal to his collection with a Silver medal in Kata. In Kumite, he was unfortunate to draw a very close first-round bout that could easily have gone either way.
We've had the privilege of watching Matty grow from a young child into a fine young man within our dojo. We have no doubt he will be a tremendous asset to the Armed Forces. Good luck, mate, and thank you for everything you've brought to the club.
Madison
Competing in her first major international championship, Madison stepped onto the tatami with courage and determination. She fought bravely, took some hard hits, and never backed down. Keep working hard, Madison. Your time will come.
Isla
What can we say about Isla? After claiming Bronze at the World Championships in Romania, she arrived in Sheffield full of confidence and produced a superb Kata performance that left no doubt about the result, earning the title of European Champion.
In Kumite, she competed like a fearless warrior. Any nerves that may once have been there have long since disappeared, replaced by confidence, determination and an unwavering fighting spirit. She always poses a serious challenge to anyone standing opposite her. In Team Kumite, she was simply outstanding, almost single-handedly taking apart the Romanian team with a series of superb performances. Win or lose, she left the tatami each time with a huge smile on her face, embodying the true spirit of competition and sportsmanship
Her success is a testament to years of dedication, hard work and countless hours of training. For someone so young, her commitment is exceptional, and the results are now speaking for themselves. The rest of Europe certainly knows who Isla is now!
Penelope
Another competitor experiencing this level for the first time, Penelope delivered a strong Kata performance to reach the final and ultimately finish 5th place; a fantastic achievement at her first European Championships.
In Kumite, she showed tremendous courage and determination, eventually losing to the eventual champion. Continue putting in the work and your opportunities will undoubtedly come.
Raine
Last but certainly not least was our youngest competitor, Raine, who had only recently turned six years old. Despite competing in the 8-and-under Open Grade category, she confidently stepped onto the tatami and performed her Kata brilliantly.
We're all incredibly proud of you. Although, if we're honest, she was a little disappointed because she really wanted to fight!
A special mention must also go to Liz, who represented both Shinzoku Ryu and KKO as a Table Official throughout the five-day event. Taking on her first international tournament in an official capacity is no small task, but she rose to the challenge brilliantly. While the competitors were collecting medals on the tatami, Liz was working tirelessly behind the scenes, helping make the championships a success. A fantastic effort and something she should be very proud of.
Championship Summary
Congratulations to every competitor. You represented both the club and the federation with pride, professionalism and excellent sportsmanship throughout the event.
Shinzoku Ryu Medal Haul
🥇 5 Gold Medals
🥈 3 Silver Medals
🥉 1 Bronze Medal
Your contributions helped the Kenshin Karate Organisation achieve its highest-ever placing at a European Championships, finishing an outstanding 4th overall.
A fantastic achievement by everyone involved. The future of Shinzoku Ryu continues to look incredibly bright.
Osu! 👊🥋
