By Sensei Bill Stewart, 3rd Dan
Member, IFK Media Committee

Nearly 300 competitors from 24 countries gathered in Crawley for the 48th British Open and 16th IFK Cup of Europe, continuing a tradition of open international competition.

CRAWLEY, ENGLAND — The British Karate Kyokushinkai (BKK) welcomed competitors from around the world to the K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley on October 3, 2026, for the 48th British Open Kyokushin Karate Championships, incorporating the 16th IFK Cup of Europe.

The tournament attracted 294 registered athletes representing 24 countries, continuing a tradition that has brought together Kyokushin practitioners from different national organizations and backgrounds for nearly five decades.

A longstanding feature of the British Open is its commitment to welcoming senior competitors from across the wider Kyokushin community, regardless of organizational affiliation. This open format provides opportunities for karateka from different organizations and countries to compete against one another, contributing to the tournament's international character.

Competition extended beyond the senior open championships, with novice and veteran divisions alongside cadet and junior categories for competitors from under-10 through under-18.

Senior Championships: Established Competitors and New Achievements

Five countries claimed the five senior open division titles, with champions from the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Great Britain, and Sweden.

In the men's lightweight (-70 kg) division, Dave Kientz of the Netherlands secured the championship following three victories. Representing IFK Netherlands and training at Mahakala Martial Arts in Tilburg, Kientz defeated Norway's Kristian Rødland by ippon just 34 seconds into their quarterfinal before overcoming Spain's Daniel Gimeno by decision in the semifinals.

In the championship final, Kientz delivered one of the tournament's most decisive performances, defeating Spain's Lluis Rotgla Peiro in just 49 seconds. Scoring two wazari for awasete ippon, the Dutch competitor secured the lightweight championship in less than a minute.

His performance earned him both the British Open lightweight championship and the 16th IFK Cup of Europe title, along with the tournament's Spirit Prize, recognizing his outstanding fighting spirit.

The victory marked another significant achievement in Kientz's international competitive career. He had previously finished runner-up at the British Open in 2022, when he also received the tournament's Most Spirited Fighter award. His return to the top of the podium added another chapter to his British Open record.

Grzegorz Kędzierski of Poland claimed the men's middleweight (-80 kg) championship, adding another title to an established international competitive record.

Kędzierski began his progression toward the championship final with a decisive quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands' Kalle Brinkman, scoring ippon just 46 seconds into the opening round. He then defeated Spain's Adrián Expósito by decision in the semifinals to secure his place in the championship final.

The Polish competitor was awarded the championship following the withdrawal of Germany's Steven Demanov from the scheduled final.

An accomplished international competitor, Kędzierski previously captured the 2025 IFK Western European middleweight championship, defending the title he had won the previous year. His latest British Open championship added to his international competitive record.

Spain claimed the men's heavyweight (+80 kg) championship through Hugo Cruz, who defeated Germany's Ivan Demanov by decision following three rounds of their final. Britain's Kyle Stewart and Cody Chapman earned bronze medals.

The women's lightweight (-60 kg) championship provided one of the tournament's most noteworthy stories, as Hayley-Beth Rowlands of BKK Cardiff added another British Open title to her international record.

Rowlands defeated fellow British competitor Olivia Pickthall in the semifinals before overcoming Germany's Jessica Krause by decision after three rounds in the championship final.

Krause, herself a two-time world champion, provided accomplished international opposition in a final between two experienced competitors.

Already an established name in international Kyokushin competition, Rowlands previously won the 2024 British Open lightweight championship and earned a bronze medal at the 2025 IFK World Championships in Leipzig, Germany.

Her latest British Open victory further reinforced her standing among Britain's leading female knockdown competitors.

In the women's heavyweight (+60 kg) division, Agnes Westrin of Sweden returned to the top of the British Open podium, repeating her championship achievement from 2024.

Westrin, the reigning IFK World Champion in the women's -65 kg division following her 2025 victory in Leipzig, defeated the United States' Audrey Bartholomay in the semifinals before overcoming fellow Swedish competitor Mette Nielsen in the final.

Bartholomay, runner-up in the women's under-21 +65 kg division at the 2025 IFK World Championships, earned a bronze medal alongside Spain's Begoña Pacheco Cifre.

Cadet Competition Showcases International Talent

The under-18 cadet championships featured developing competitors representing several national organizations, with Romania enjoying particular success in the boys' divisions.

David Gabudeanu, representing Ashihara Karate Romania, claimed the lightweight (-68 kg) championship. He advanced through victories over Mihails Rešetņikovs of LKKL and Britain's Conor Davies of BKK Bridgend to reach the championship final. Gabudeanu was subsequently awarded the title after the final was recorded as a walkover.

Romania added another championship through Mátyás Bakk, representing Ashihara Karate Romania, who captured the middleweight (-78 kg) title.

Bakk defeated Seishin Dojo's Linus Eykens by decision in the quarterfinals before overcoming Jamairo van Dissel of IFK Netherlands, also by decision, in the semifinals.

In the championship final, Bakk delivered an exceptional performance, defeating Belgium's Thias Kozlowski by ippon in just seven seconds, one of the fastest recorded victories among the championship finals.

In the heavyweight (+78 kg) division, Leo Liepins, representing LKKL, defeated Danar Kadr of AK Academy of Martial Arts to secure the title.

The girls' cadet divisions also produced international podium finishes. Jázmin Mirjam Reichert of Hungary claimed the lightweight championship, defeating the Netherlands' Gwenn Kroon in the final. American competitor Willow Swan and Romania's Amalia Bogdan earned bronze medals.

The cadet championships provided an opportunity for developing fighters to gain experience against international opposition as they progressed toward senior competition.

Junior Championships Highlight Established Young Competitors

The British Open's under-10 through under-16 divisions provided an important platform for the next generation of Kyokushin competitors, including several athletes already building impressive international records.

Among the notable performances were victories by Jolina and Joelle Schramm of IFK Germany, both of whom had previously earned championships at the IFK International US Open in Albany, New York, in January 2026.

At the British Open, Jolina captured the under-16 girls' -50 kg championship, defeating Spain's Leyre Jordán Saiz in the final. Her younger sister Joelle won the under-14 girls' -50 kg division, overcoming Spain's Laia Lozano.

The sisters train with AktivSport Saxonia in Naunhof, Germany. Their success in Crawley continued a productive year that included their American championship victories.

Their teammate Emil Diebel, who also won gold at the January US Open, added a bronze medal in the under-16 boys' -60 kg division.

The German club also has a connection to the senior championship results. Women's lightweight runner-up Jessica Krause, a former student at Freies Gymnasium Naunhof, trains with the same organization and has developed her own successful international competitive career.

Germany's junior success extended to other divisions, including a championship for Luis Schneider, who defeated fellow German competitor Lienerth Sebastian in the under-14 boys' -40 kg final.

Spain was also well represented among the younger title winners. Leo Tineo Moraleda captured the under-14 boys' -45 kg championship, while Sergio Vallés de las Heras secured another junior title for IFK Spain.

Competitors from Britain, Ireland, Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands, and other participating countries contributed to a broad distribution of junior medals.

For these young karateka, international events provide opportunities to face unfamiliar opponents and gain competitive experience beyond their local and national circuits. The achievements of competitors already enjoying success internationally demonstrate the development possible through continued training and competition.

Novice and Veteran Divisions Broaden Participation

Alongside the senior open and youth championships, the tournament provided competitive opportunities for novice and veteran athletes.

In the men's novice middleweight (-80 kg) division, Rehan Fernando of SBKR Scotland captured the championship, adding to a successful tournament for his team.

Fernando's achievement was subsequently recognized by his dojo, which highlighted his determination, fighting spirit, and preparation for the event.

Other novice champions included Mindas Burba Jr. of Burton Kyokushinkai, who claimed the men's heavyweight (+80 kg) title, and Sanaz Akhlaghi of BKK Wimbledon, winner of the women's lightweight (-60 kg) division.

The veteran divisions also produced noteworthy performances.

Elvira Anderson of USA-IFK secured the women's lightweight (-65 kg) championship against Britain's Elizabeth O'Brien.

In the men's heavyweight (+85 kg) division, Emin Sukiasian, representing Shihan Artak Karate Kyokushin, defeated Britain's Krzysztof Wasilewski in the semifinals before overcoming Tomasz Werczynski in the championship final.

Ollie Wassall of BKK Loughborough Kyokushin claimed the veteran men's middleweight (-85 kg) championship, while Pavel Khokhlachev, representing EMAR Dojo United Kingdom, won the veteran lightweight (-75 kg) division.

These categories provided opportunities for competitors at different stages of their competitive careers, contributing to the tournament's breadth of participation.

Special Recognition and Promotions

Beyond the championship results, the tournament included several significant moments of recognition.

One of the day's most meaningful presentations was the Nicola Hughes Memorial Sword, awarded to Hayley-Beth Rowlands as the highest-placed British fighter.

The award honors Police Constable Nicola Hughes, a fellow karateka and member of Greater Manchester Police who was killed in the line of duty on September 18, 2012, at the age of 23. The memorial sword continues to recognize her memory and her connection to the Kyokushin community.

Rowlands' achievements were further recognized with her promotion to sandan (3rd dan) during the event.

Another significant occasion was the promotion of Shihan Terry Prescott of BKK Cardiff to 7th dan, recognizing his longstanding dedication and contributions to Kyokushin karate.

These presentations honored achievements and contributions extending beyond competitive results, reflecting the traditions of dedication, perseverance, and service associated with Kyokushin.

Continuing an International Tradition

The 48th British Open once again brought together karateka from different countries, organizations, and generations through a shared commitment to full-contact competition.

Its open senior championships remain an important part of the tournament's character, providing a meeting ground for competitors from across the wider Kyokushin community.

The British Karate Kyokushinkai, supported by its organizing committee, officials, referees, coaches, and volunteers, continued its longstanding tradition of hosting an established international championship.

From developing junior competitors to seasoned veterans and senior championship finalists, the tournament offered opportunities for athletes to test their skills, gain experience, and strengthen international connections within Kyokushin karate.

The 49th British Open, incorporating the 17th IFK Cup of Europe, is scheduled for October 2, 2027, at K2 Crawley.

Complete competition results and individual match records for the 2026 tournament are available through the official Smoothcomp event page.

Osu!