GKR Karate

17/10/2026

"What Works" self defense seminar

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HG52w3DN4/

17/10/2026

Today... Is the day!

16/10/2026

Not too late to jump on board and get your purple belt

As we kick off our Stop Domestic & Family Violence October 2026 Awareness month, don’t forget to share photos of you wearing your purple belt to class using the hashtags

If you don’t have a purple belt, it’s not too late to order one online with all profits from belt sales being donated directly to RizeUp in Australia, Shine in New Zealand and Refuge in the United Kingdom.

AUS: go.gkrkarate.com/sdfvaus
NZ: go.gkrkarate.com/sdfvnz
UK : go.gkrkarate.com/sdfvuk

13/10/2026

Hello everyone, I hope you all enjoyed the class this evening, remember about dojo etiquette;
Bow before entering or leaving the dojo.

When we say line up, get into line, in ready stance and no talking.

When any of the Sensei's or senior student tell not to do something listen to them.

When the Sensei's or instructors are talking listen and wait to begin.

So this week's class focused on kumite, we had a quick warm up and went straight into some basic foot work and strikes.
From Hanszenkutsu (short fighting stance) to the count we extended our stance practicing both sides.

We then added the lunge punch (Oi Tsuki) to the count both sides.

Next was back to footwork, stepping from Hanszenkutsu in to nearly Zenkutsu Dachi and dropping our knee on the back leg working both sides the adding the Gyaku Tsuki (reverse punch) to the count.

After a drink we got into small groups of 3's and 4's, using a focus pad students took turns hold the pad, then a member of their group came up and practiced one of the techniques we were working on in the line drills, rotating,changing arms and different strikes.

After another drink we split into 2 groups with Kieran, Elena and Nella taking kumite group working on the grading drills and some light sparring.

I took the shoulders and knee's group with some not doing it before explaining what it is all about.

Remember once you get to yellow belt,you can begin sparring as long as you have all the correct equipment.

We finished off with Taigyoku Shodan and then Seiunchin both to the count.

No in class gradings this week.

Student of the week was Ethan chosen by Kieran, Nella and Elena.

Remember this Saturday we have the "WHAT WORK'S SELF DEFENSE SEMINAR " Hosted by yours truly (Sensei Stevie G 🥋) at Simon B***e School Hertford 14:30-16:30.

Purple belt awareness month.

Bring a friend too.

Thanks to Kieran, Nella and Elena for helping with the class 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

Ha e a great week,stay safe and see you all soon, Sensei Stevie G.

06/10/2026

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well.

We started by congratulating those who achieved their new grade on Sunday 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

We welcomed a new student Teddy, the first class is the hardest.

Thank you to Kieran for the warm up while I took care of some admin duties.

So we broke up into 4 groups, 2 groups of white and yellow belts, a group of orange and green belts and then a group of blue belts and above.

Myself, Kieran, Elena and Nella rotated round each group spending 10 minutes working on grade related stances, blocks, strikes and kicks looking at and advising on various aspects of karate.

With a couple of drink breaks p**f, the class was done.

Once again congratulations to Teddy on his first class.

We had some in class gradings, so congratulating to;

Ellie grading to 9th kyu (yellow tip).

Laila grading to 7th kyu (ho) orange tip.

Mahnoor grading th 3rd kyu (ho) half way to 3rd kyu brown belt.

Student of the week was Jasmine who impressed Nella, Elena and Kieran 🏆.

Good luck to those entering the tournament this weekend 👏🏻💪🏻🤞🏻👍🏻.

Tournament training on Sunday.

Bring a friend month!

What Works self defense seminar on the 17th.

Purple belt month throughout October.

All on stack app.

Thanks to Kieran, Nella and Elena.

Have a great week and see you all soon.

29/09/2026

Good evening everyone, 34 of you in tonight's class with some new faces to greet too.

So we welcomed some new students to the class and had a quick warm up!

So we split the class with Kieran, Nella and Elena taking the rather large group of white and yellow belts through strikes and blocks in ready stance, and I believe an introduction to Shiko Dachi.

I took the rest of the grades through line drills from the grading format upto Kokutsu Dachi combinations.

After a drink break we had a look at the Mae Geri front kick going through the stages and then whole kick working both sides.

To finish we split the group again with Kieran, Elena and Nella taking the white and yellow belts doing some pad work while I took the 7th kyu's and above through Taigyoku Shodan, Saifa and Bassai Dai with some tips given for each kata.

Well done to Melody-Rose, Charlotte, Amber and Charlie for completing an awesome first class.

Congratulations to Hannah grading to 9th kyu yellow tip.

Also to Sahand grading to 5th kyu ho (half way to Blue belt).

Student of the week was Charlotte, although I think it was an difficult choice 🏆.

Student of the month th was Elian, make sure you keep that focus that you started with! 🏆.

Coming up!

From the 1st of October is bring a friend month.

Purple belt, raising awareness for domestic violence and abuse.

Grading on Sunday is open to train and part of the direct debit.

10th of October Central zone tournament.

11th October tournament training.

17th October, the "What Works" self defense seminar.

All the information is on the Stack App.

Thanks to Elena, Nella and Kieran for helping.

Ha e agreat week everyone and see you all next week.

23/09/2026

Hello everyone, sorry for the late post, well done to all who made it to the class yesterday.

We congratulated Varnith on earning some medals at the tournament Saturday past 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Well done earning gold and bronze medals.

Kieran warmed you all up and then we worked on a combination moving forwar with head level punch, stepping through with stomach level punch, and finally Mae Geri front kick. Stepping back with head level block, stepping back with inside block, then stepping back with gedan barrai followed by 2 strikes.

We worked this drill a few times then after a break we partnered up and put it into practice, taking turns to use the drills in attack and defence, remember practice and repetition.

After another drink break we broke up in to 4 groups and with some padded blockers each group had a go working on various blocks including head level block, inside block, gedan barrai and double block.

Congratulations to Leo grading to 5th kyu Ho, half way to Blue belt.

Student of the week was joint with Victoria and Evalina sharing the award.

Things coming up!

Kata Empi seminar this weekend.

Purple belt awareness month form the 1st of October.

Open grading on the Sunday the 4th.

Tournament training on the 11th.

What Works seminar on 17th.

All the info is on the Stack App.

Thanks to Kieran and the girls for helping out with the class 🫡.

Have a great week and see you all soon.

Sensei Stevie G.

22/09/2026

16/09/2026

Good afternoon all, well done to those who came along to JHN dojo last night and trained.

We welcomed a new student Ollie but we were missing Kieran and Nella to a flu bug that is going round (get well soon).

So with me and Elena we took the whole class through line drills with focus on our long forward stance (Zenkutsu Dachi), with the dimensions of the stance, foot placement and bending the front knee. And too help improve the stance we exaggerated and made it super long.

With each of the strikes and blocks we gave some demonstrations of their use (seminar at Simon B***e School Hertford 17th October).

After a drink break we ran through the kicks stepping through with Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri (off the back leg)and Yoko Geri while performing Ushiro Geri in short stance from the front leg, then the back leg, then switching legs. The focus was getting the knee up.

We finished off with the graded belts performing Taigyoku Shodan and Saifa to the count.

Well done to the new students keeping up with the class.

Congratulations to Ellie for student of the week, good responses and giving 💯% throughout the class.

Lots coming up;

Good luck to those attending the tournament in the Southern Zone 🤞🏻, go get some medals.

27th September, Sensei Andy will be running an Empi seminar, learning the kata and refining the kata.

1st of October, purple belt, raising awareness for domestic violence and abuse. And will run for the whole of October.

10th October, Central zone tournament.

11th October, tournament training at Simon B***e School Hertford.

17th October, self defense and Bunkai seminar with me, Sensei Stevie G at Simon B***e School Hertford.

All of the information is on the Stack Team app, if you need any help with Stack just ask one of the Sensei's.

Thank you to Elena Gannon for assisting with the class 👍🏻.

Have a great week and see you all next week. Sensei Stevie G 🥋.

24/08/2026

Yvonne started karate with her son to give him the confidence she missed as a child. 21 years later and in the midst of cancer treatment, the thought of returning to karate keeps her on track.
Read Yvonne’s GKR Story here: https://www.gkrkarate.com/articles/gkr-stories-yvonne-cooke/

04/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who made the 2026 World Cup an unforgettable tournament. We can't wait to see you at the next one!

Just a reminder:
📸 Photos from the event are now available to purchase from our official event photographers Quick Pics: https://www.quickpics.co.uk/site/gkrwc2026

🏆 Head to our website to view the full tournament results: https://www.gkrkarate.com/tournaments/2026-world-cup/

30/07/2026

What an incredible weekend!
The very best of GKR Karate competitors came together in Telford UK to showcase their skill, determination and spirit at the 2026 GKR Karate World Cup.

Every student who stepped onto the mat represented themselves, their dojo and GKR Karate with pride. Their sportsmanship and outstanding performances made their families, friends and Sensei incredibly proud. A huge congratulations to every competitor, official, volunteer and supporter who helped make this event such a memorable success.
Thank you to everyone who made the 2026 World Cup an unforgettable tournament. We can't wait to see you at the next one!

📸 Photos from the event are now available to purchase from our official event photographers Quick Pics: https://www.quickpics.co.uk/site/gkrwc2026

🏆 Head to our website to view the full tournament results: https://www.gkrkarate.com/tournaments/2026-world-cup/

26/07/2026

🏆 Championship Sunday is here!

The final day of the 2026 GKR Karate World Cup is about to get underway, with our World Champions set to be crowned.

🕘 Need the timetable or event information?
Head to GKRWorldCup.com for the latest schedule, venue information and other event FAQs.

🎥 Livestreams

* Roaming livestream will be available commencing at 10:30am, bringing you action from around the venue.

* Fixed ring livestreams available this afternoon, featuring the Female and Male Opens finals.

Watch all livestreams when operating will be available here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com//streams

Good luck to all competitors - we can't wait to see an incredible final day of competition! 🥋🏅

25/07/2026

🏆 The 2026 GKR Karate World Cup is officially underway in Telford, UK!

Over 1,000 competitors from around the world are coming together across three action packed days to compete, connect and celebrate the spirit of karate.

📅 For live schedules, event information and answers to frequently asked questions, head to GKRWorldCup.com.

📸 Don’t forget to share your favourite moments using for the chance to have your photos featured in our official event album!

24/07/2026

We are excited to announce that we will be streaming the 2026 GKR Karate World Cup LIVE and FREE on our YouTube channel!

This allows our global community to join in and witness the premiere event on the GKR Karate International calendar.

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OFFICIAL STREAMING DETAILS

There will be 3 streams to choose from over the weekend – 2 streams covering the open female and male divisions, and a 3rd stream capturing action from around the arena.

WHERE?
Via our official YouTube channel. Subscribe to our channel via the link below to be notified when streams go live.

COST?
Absolutely FREE!

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IMPORTANT NOTICE

Protect Yourself from Fake Accounts and Streams

While we celebrate this exciting event, we want to ensure your safety and security online. Recently, we have identified numerous fake accounts, groups, and profiles on Facebook that are attempting to impersonate GKR Karate and promote fraudulent streams, or sell fake spectator tickets.

Key Points to Remember:

No Friend Requests from GKR:
GKR Karate will never send friend requests on Facebook. If you receive a request from an account claiming to be us, please block/report it immediately & inform any fellow GKR members you see interacting with these profiles for their safety.

Official Streams:
The only legitimate streams of the World Cup will via our YouTube channel. Any promotion asking for payment to view the streams is fraudulent.

Stay Informed:
Head to our official World Cup website https://gkrworldcup.com/ - for all event information including a live timetable, competitor information and other FAQ’s

We look forward to making this event accessible to everyone. If you can’t be at the event, we look forward to seeing you online!

https://www.youtube.com/live/DQZ-Bqz4Rqs?si=EDPfU8pI8piIAAQr

Roaming action from the 2026 World Cup. This stream will cover act...

22/07/2026

We often see many ‘different’ ways of bowing during Karate.
Are you guilty of any of these?...

14/07/2026

Sensei David Mogford was recently featured on WIN News Canberra. Watch below as he shares the importance of self-defence education for young girls and how it helps build confidence, awareness and practical skills.

09/07/2026

In mid-June, several of our Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian senior group volunteered to complete a Homes set-up with our charity partner, RizeUp Australia.

RizeUp provides all the practical items needed for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence to make a fresh start, including furniture and other household items that help transform empty houses into homes.

When each of our GKR teams arrived at their location, they were greeted by a RizeUp driver, an empty house and a truck filled with flatpacks and homewares. The teams set about unloading the truck, assembling the flatpacks, making beds, filling pantries and carefully decorating the space. This included fitting out children’s bedrooms and providing them with the materials needed to start at a new school.

After 4+ hours of work at each location, the transformation from house to home left a lasting memory for all involved. With the knowledge that a family would be entering their newly furnished home in the coming days, each team member took comfort in knowing that they had helped create a new beginning for someone in need.

We are incredibly grateful to RizeUp for the work they do and for the opportunity to be involved in their Homes program. We also appreciate the amazing support shown by all of our students and instructors who participate in the Stop Domestic & Family Violence Purple Belt Campaign. Your involvement means a lot, not only to RizeUp and the families they help, but also to GKR Karate as a whole.

If you would like to volunteer with RizeUp to help setting up Homes, information can be found here https://www.rizeup.com.au/volunteer

05/07/2026

WORLD CUP ENTRIES CLOSE TODAY!
This is your opportunity to become a World Champion – Don’t miss out!

To enter visit: www.gkrworldcup.com