Bristol Karate Academy members made history at the 7th JKS Karate-Do International Cup in Brazil, returning home with an incredible six world titles and 14 medals in total.
The 7th JKS Karate-Do International Cup took place in the Brazilian city of Vitória, bringing together athletes from 30 countries to compete for the honour of being crowned JKS World Champion. Bristol Karate Academy members were there as part of the JKS England team, led by internationally renowned head coach Sensei Matt Price (7th Dan JKS).
The event ran from 20–23 August, with the tournament itself taking place across six tatamis over two full days. Competition started at 9.30am and continued throughout the day, with almost 24 hours of competition taking place across the weekend.
A perfect start
Right from the very first events, most of Bristol’s JKS squad members were in action in Team Kata — and it was the start everyone had hoped for.
Bristol’s first JKS World Champions were crowned in both the 11-13 years and 17-19 years events. Congratulations to Benjamin and Luke, and to Liam and George.
There were silver medals too for Nephele and Lucie in the 14-16 years event, and for Tim in the 20 years+ category.
It was the perfect start to the championships.
From there, Bristol competitors and the wider JKS England team continued to shine. And while not every performance resulted in a medal — as you’d expect at a world championship — every performance was full of grit, determination and heart.
More medals in individual kata
In the individual kata events, the medals continued to arrive.
Lucie’s Meikyo Nidan earned her a hard-fought silver medal, narrowly missing out on first place. Meanwhile, Tim’s Gojushiho Sho earned him another silver, finishing behind the Unsu of 2024 World Champion Leandro Moreira.
There were bronze medals too for Nephele in Shotokan Kata and Luke in Koten Kata.
And Bristol now has two individual kata JKS World Champions.
Liam won the 16-17 years event with Gojushiho Sho, finishing ahead of JKS England teammate and fellow Team Kata member Zach Ruizo.
Then came an extraordinary performance from Benjamin Griffiths.
Benjamin’s kata performance was dominant, winning his Shotokan Kata event with a score of 28.3 — a full point clear of the silver medallist.
He followed that up with victory in the 8-11 years Koten Kata event, making Benjamin a triple kata JKS World Champion.
Success continues in kumite
Not content with success in the kata division, Bristol’s competitors continued to deliver in kumite.
Liam fought with control and composure, earning himself a semi-final against Scotland’s Max Wood. Despite scoring twice, Liam narrowly missed out on a place in the final, with the match finishing 3–2 and a bronze medal heading back to Bristol.
There were more medals to come in Team Kumite.
Benjamin and Luke joined Charlie Farmer from Milton Keynes in the 11-13 years division as JKS England ‘B’. With all three boys aged just 11, the challenge was going to be a huge one — but their steely determination meant they were more than ready for it.
After victories against much taller teams from Argentina and Italy, the final was an all-England affair against JKS England ‘A’.
While the experience and skill of the A team ultimately showed, so did the heart of our two Bristol fighters and their teammate. They took home well-deserved silver medals, while congratulations also go to the JKS England A team on their championship victory.
Oli shines on the world stage
The last couple of years have been good ones for Oli Hulbert, but this weekend will certainly be one he’ll remember for a long time.
Oli fought his way to Team Kumite gold alongside teammates Artem and Evander.
The team defeated Portugal, Brazil and Argentina, and it was perhaps in Oli’s match against Argentina where he was able to shine most.
With two ippons and a waza-ari, Oli cruised to victory, helping set up a final against Brazil — which England ultimately won.
Another world title for Bristol.
Six golds, five silvers and three bronzes
After two intense days of competition, the Bristol team came away with an incredible:
- 6 gold medals
- 5 silver medals
- 3 bronze medals
And on top of this, the most decorated competitor of the entire championship was Bristol’s own Benjamin Griffiths, finishing with three gold medals and one silver.
An absolutely astonishing weekend’s work.
These were the first JKS World Championship medals ever won by competitors from Bristol Karate Academy — and we couldn’t be prouder.
More than medals
While the medals were the cherry on the cake, it’s the performances from all of our competitors that matter the most.
They were incredible.
Every member of the Bristol squad stepped onto the tatami representing themselves, their club and JKS England. Whether they came away with a medal or not, they showed the determination, courage and commitment that makes us so proud to call them Bristol Karate Academy members.
The Bristol competitors would like to say a massive thank you to the JKS England coaches, who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to make sure the team was supported.
Thank you also to the Bristol and JKS England families and supporters, who were always on hand with words of encouragement — and, of course, the loudest of cheers.
What’s next?
There isn’t much time to rest.
For the majority of this team, the JKS England Nationals and the Commonwealth Karate Championships both take place during November.
The work starts now to make sure everyone is on point and ready to perform at their absolute best once again.
The medals may have been won in Brazil, but the journey continues.
And we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Our medallists
GOLD for Oli Hulbert in Male Team Kumite, 14-16 years, with Artem Popovych and Evander Morrison
GOLD for Liam Mashford and George Tarr in Male Team Kata, 17-19 years, with Zach Ruizo
GOLD for Benjamin Griffiths and Luke Mashford in Male Team Kata, 11-13 years, with Jonty Price
GOLD for Liam Mashford in Male Kata, 16-17 years
GOLD for Benjamin Griffiths in Male Kata, 10-11 years
GOLD for Benjamin Griffiths in Male Koten Kata, 8-12 years
SILVER for Benjamin Griffiths and Luke Mashford in Male Team Kumite, 11-13 years, with Charlie Farmer
SILVER for Tim Griffiths in Male Team Kata, 20 years+, with Anthony Halsall and Jason Lam
SILVER for Nephele Metsiou and Lucie Tarr in Female Team Kata, 14-16 years, with Anastasia State
SILVER for Tim Griffiths in Male Kata, 45-49 years
SILVER for Lucie Tarr in Female Koten Kata, 13-17 years
BRONZE for Liam Mashford in Male Kumite, 16-17 years
BRONZE for Nephele Metsiou in Female Kata, 14-15 years
BRONZE for Luke Mashford in Male Koten Kata, 8-12 year
Full Bristol team: Tim Griffiths, Benjamin Griffiths, Oli Hulbert, Liam Mashford, Luke Mashford, Nephele Metsiou, Dan Salter, George Tarr and Lucie Tarr