Up and Coming Events
March 2020
Sunday 1st - Squad Training
10:00 - 13:00
St Monica's High School, Bury Old Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1JH
Sunday 8th Chojinkai Childrens Competition
Penrith
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Diary is subject to change
EKF Kyu Grade Championships 2020
On the 22nd & 23rd February members of the KYK Squad attended the Kyu Grade Championsips hosted at the Chase Leisure Centre, Cannock.
The competition is specifically for grades below black belt and is a great opportunity for the newer members of KYK to experience competing for the first time at a national level.
As we've come to expect with EKF the quality of the competitors from across the country was very high and it was going to be tough to reach the medals. The first day was extremely busy and was for the15 years old and under competitors. It was great to see all the young squad members take the competition in their stride, they were very positive and focused throughout the day and performed very well in their individual and team sections.
On the second day it was the turn of the 16 years and over competitors. Once again it was a tough day for all involved, however everyone worked hard and had some fantasitc performances which included making it to 3 of the finals.
By the end of the competition KYK achieved 4 silver medals and 6 bronze medals overall.
The above could not be achieved however without the hard work of all the competitors, coaches and parents that pull together as a team and help each other out. Behind the scenes there are a lot of late nights, extra training and sacrifices that any who has competed will understand and it is always the spirit of the people in the association which stands out the most for me.
KYK is ready for the challenges going forward and well done to everyone involved!
Competitors - Dylan Alker, Aimee Baker, Robert Baldea, Darcy Birkett, Daniel Corbet, Ethan Corbet, Isabel Fahey, Thomas Forshaw, Benjamin Guan, Simon Hardman, Olivia Hunt, Cesare Linstead, Kamar McLarty, Diana Merzdyan, Kasia Ostrychacz, Mardin Rostamzada, Megan Taylor, Libby Taylor, Michal Urbanak.
EKF Kyu Grade Championships 2020
Congratulations to all those who took their Dan Grading last week. The grading level was very high and the work rate throughout was great to see.
Denise Shemeld - Yondan (4th Dan)
Daniel Kinsey - Sandan (3rd Dan)
Keith Leano - Nidan (2nd Dan)
Cheryl Leano - Nidan (2nd Dan)
Kenneth Leano - Nidan (2nd Dan)
Louisa Murphy - Nidan (2nd Dan)
Chris Warr - Nidan (2nd Dan)
Caitlin Buckley - Nidan (2nd Dan)
Damian Lloyd - Shodan (1st Dan)
Annie Hardy - Shodan (1st Dan)
Niamh Hill - Shodan (1st Dan)
Jay Kearney - Shodan (1st Dan)
Keiran Leano - Shodan (1st Dan)
Also well done to all those who took their assessment as they prepare for their grading in 2020.
Ken Yu Kai attend the EKF Kata Squad Training
Following on from the EKF Kumite training and BKF Championships some of our squad members had an opportunity to take part in the EKF Kata Squad training in Walsall.
The session included a lot of high intensity carido work before moving onto kata and the feedback from the coaches was that the squad members that attended worked very hard and represented the association well.
Well done to Nathan French, Niamh Hill, Georgia Murphy, Daniel Kinsey, Kenneth Leano and Lexi Sahadeo.
BKF Open International Championships 2019
This September Ken Yu Kai sent their squad to compete at the BKF Open International Championships 2019 and performed brilliantly.
The squad managed to achieve medals in 14 sections including 5 gold, 3 silver & 6 bronze medal places!
The entire squad, coaches and family members pulled together throughout the weekend to support each individual competing and it was a pleasure to be a part of the experience.
One of the most important things to mention is the growth of the squad as a whole and the work that goes on behind the scenes in preparation for the competitions we enter. The drive and passion from all members of the squad whether selected to compete or not is inspirational and there are certainly a lot of up and coming talent for the future.
KYK squad members selected to attend the EKF Squad - Regional Kumite, Barnsley, August 2019
With the associations recent return to the WKF, head coach Paul Knowles selected a small group of our best fighters in Ken Yu Kai to attend the regional squad training for the EKF squad held in Barnsley.
The chance to attend was a great opportunity for the individual karatekas who were selected and the lessons learned will also give the association an insight into how we will progress going forward with our kumite training as a whole. The members who attended did not disappoint and worked extremely hard throughout the 5 hours of training.
We are all proud of the effort and dedication they have shown while representing us in the wider karate community and are looking forward to picking up some tips at the next squad training.
Congratulations to Sensei Oli Hampson, Kenneth Leano, Nathan French and Daniel Kinsey.
New Dan Grades For Ken Yu Kai
We can now boast 7 new Dan grades including a new 6th Dan, one 2nd Dan and five 1st Dans, plus 6 that passed their assessment and will take the Dan grades with the next 12 months. A huge congratulations to you all. Click here for the full story.
New Dan Grades - 25th May 2018
Ken Yu Kai is able to boast about it's new Dan Grades. After a long 5 hours (including a 2 hour hour course), we now have a new 6th Dan - Sensei Chris Baker (6th Dan - Chief Instructor - Prestwich KYK), Sensei Oli Hampson (2nd Dan Instructor at Failsworth & Droylsden), and five 1st Dans - Hannah Frith (1st Dan - Broughton), Leonard Tsai (1st Dan - Prestwich), Mandy Moore (1st Dan - Prestwich), Jack Moore (1st Dan - Prestwich) & Kalil Aboreal (1st Dan - Prestwich). Taking their assessments this time were 1st Kyus Lee Price (Failsworth), Brian (Droylsden), Myles Turner (St Margaret's), Madison Williams (GKKC), Chloe Cope (GKKC) & Remy Ainley (GKKC). 
Ken Yu Kai Publicity Video
For more photographs of the grading, please visit our Failsworth & Droylsden Club photos page.
Members, if you have any photos or videos of either clubs or Squad events and comps that you think would be suitable for the website, please email them to karatekyk@aol.com or speak to Sensei Terry Pottage
