History of the BKK

The British Karate Kyokushinkai was started in 1965 in London by Steve Arneil and Bob Boulton following their return to Great Britain after four years studying at the Kyokushinkai Honbu in Tokyo. Upon returning they founded the first Kyokushinkai Dojo in London, the London Karate Kai, and became the premier club of Great Britain.

Within 2 years the organisation had over 17 students who had qualified as British International Representives. From these humble beginings the BKK went from strength to strength which culminated with the all styles English and Britain Karate Team beating Japan in the World Karate Championships in 1975/76, the first non Japanese team to do so, under the guidance of Steve Arneil.

In 1991 the BKK resigned it's 25 year long membership of the Japanese based International Karate Organisation (IKO) and founded the International Federation of Karate (IFK) under Steve Arneil. The IFK now has over 100,000 members worldwide in 19 countries. The UK alone has over 45 dojos affiliated to the BKK and the IFK with almost 2000 members.

9th DAN

Hanshi Steve Arneil

6th Dan

Shihan Alex Kerrigan
Shihan Liam Keaveney

5th Dan

Shihan Jeff Whybrow
Shihan Nick Da Costa
Shihan David Pickthall
Shihan Graham Warden
Shihan David Lund Regan
Shihan Alan Davies
Shihan Maria Da Costa
Shihan Alan Davies
Shihan Andrew Turner
Shihan Janine Davies
Shihan Ray Bond

4th Dan

Sensei Barry Bergin
Sensei Martin Begg (Deceased)
Sensei Julien Baker
Sensei Jim Elvey
Sensei Gary Malcolm (Deceased)
Sensei David Jones
Sensei Al Jelly
Sensei Felix Ntumazah
Sensei Clara Akopokuma
Sensei John Moulden
Sensei Stuart Wright
Sensei Martin O'Keleeke
Sensei Leveek Morris
Sensei Andreas Stavrou
Sensei Neil Madeley
Sensei Kevin Wells
Sensei Hadi Azizkhani