LATEST NEWS

Latest updates from across the academy

BACK
COMMONWEALTH HONOURS FOR BRISTOL ATHLETES
By Admin
All dojos  |  09 November 2026 3:47 pm

Athletes from Bristol Karate Academy delivered an outstanding performance last weekend, bringing home four medals from the CKF Commonwealth Club Championships in Glasgow.

With both the British and England All Styles Championships cancelled this year, the Commonwealths represented the most significant karate event held on UK soil in 2026.

The Glasgow International Arena welcomed athletes from 23 Commonwealth nations, with more than 1,700 entries contested across 10 tatamis throughout the championship. Bristol's athletes rose to the occasion, delivering composed and determined performances on the international stage.

Competing as part of the talented JKS England squad, Academy athletes showcased their skills across both kata and kumite disciplines.

BRISTOL'S COMMONWEALTH CHAMPION

Academy Chief Instructor Tim Griffiths became the first JKS England athlete of the day to be crowned Commonwealth Karate Champion, claiming gold in the Over-35 Individual Kata event.

Tim progressed through five rounds of competition to secure the title against a strong international field featuring competitors from England, Scotland, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Cayman Islands. With the reigning 2022 Commonwealth Champion and the 2026 British International Champion also in the category, the standard was exceptionally high.

The final saw Tim perform the kata Gojushiho Sho. Earlier this year, he used the same kata to secure silver at the JKS Worlds. This time around, Tim went one better, taking gold with a 3-0 win.

Although this marked Tim's second appearance at the Commonwealth Championships, it was his first gold medal, having earned bronze at the previous event. 

Earning Commonwealth gold is a momentous achievement. Congratulations, Tim!

BRONZE FOR BENJAMIN

Bristol claimed its second medal through Benjamin Griffiths in the 10-11 Years Individual Kata category.

Benjamin recorded emphatic 3-0 victories in each of his opening two matches before repeating the feat in the quarter-final against an opponent who had defeated him earlier this year at the North East Open.

His semi-final brought a familiar challenge in Kosei Hawkins of Yanagi Kai. As always, the contest was closely fought, but this time Kosei edged a narrow 2-1 victory before going on to claim gold. Benjamin's superb run earned him a well-deserved bronze medal and added another international accolade to what has been an outstanding year for the young Bristol karate-ka. Congratulations, Benjamin!

TEAM KATA DUO STRIKE SILVER

The Academy's third medal came in the Cadet and Junior Team Kata event.

Nephele Metsiou and Olive Davies joined forces with Anastasia State of Milton Keynes for the trio's first competition together as a team.

Representing JKS England, they met JKS Scotland in the gold medal match. Scotland ultimately edged the contest with a well-executed Gojushiho Sho, narrowly overcoming England's powerful and impressive Enpi performance.

A fantastic achievement for Nephele and Olive, who returned home with Commonwealth silver medals. Congratulations Nephele and Olive!

FIGHTER ON FIRE

Bristol's fourth and final medal came in the Cadet (14-15 years) Team Kumite competition.

England All Styles squad member Oli Hulbert had narrowly missed out on a medal in the individual competition earlier in the day after a tightly contested bout against the eventual silver medallist. However, he was determined to make his mark in the team event.

Competing as fighter number three for JKS England, Oli repeatedly found himself in high-pressure, winner-takes-all situations. On each occasion, he rose to the challenge, producing decisive performances featuring sweeps, head kicks and a variety of well-timed punches.

Alongside teammates from Walsall and Harrogate, Oli helped power England to a dominant 20-1 victory over Frontier Karate Association in the semi-final.

Gold ultimately proved just out of reach as Canadian side Beaudoin Karate Gatineau of Quebec secured victory in the final. Nevertheless, JKS England delivered a superb performance against worthy champions to bring home a Commonwealth silver medal. Congratulations, Oli!

PROUD PERFORMANCES ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Every Bristol competitor can take enormous pride in both their performances and the professionalism they displayed throughout the event.

Competing at a championship of this calibre can be daunting, yet Bristol's athletes showed remarkable composure from start to finish. Their success is a testament to the hard work, preparation and resilience they have demonstrated throughout the year.

As 2026 draws to a close, the competition squad can reflect with pride on a year of significant achievement. They have proven that Bristol Karate Academy athletes can compete successfully on the international stage and challenge some of the best talent in the Commonwealth.

With that foundation firmly established, attention now turns to 2027 and the opportunity to build on an already impressive legacy.

Full Squad: Evert Collard, Olive Davies, Benjamin Griffiths, Tim Griffiths, Oli Hulbert, Nephele Metsiou and Finn Westcott.
Top