Tag: Kudo England

Team Fulinkazan at GKA Dojo’s Uncompromised Weekend of Martial Arts

Team Fulinkazan at GKA Dojo’s Uncompromised Weekend of Martial Arts
05 Oct
Marie Spencer Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It was another fantastic weekend of training and martial arts for Fulinkazan, as Coach Spen joined practitioners from across the UK and overseas for the annual GKA Dojo Uncompromised Weekend of Martial Arts in Barry, South Wales.

Hosted and organised by Mal Sanchez-Jones of GKA Dojo, the weekend brought together a fantastic group of coaches and martial artists for an action-packed programme covering Kudo, No-Gi grappling, Combat Sambo, Wrestling and Medieval Combat.

A Weekend of High-Level Martial Arts Training

There was an impressive line-up of knowledgeable coaches, giving everyone the opportunity to experience different martial arts and training approaches.

Coach Spen, Head of the English Kudo Federation and Head Coach of Fulinkazan Martial Arts Club in Bradford, delivered a No-Gi seminar, sharing techniques and concepts with the group.

Bear Wrestling coaches delivered a wrestling session, providing some excellent instruction and plenty of hard training.

Mal Sanchez-Jones, Head of the Wales Kudo Federation and Head Coach of GKA Dojo, taught Combat Sambo, giving everyone the chance to explore another exciting combat discipline.

We were also joined by David, Head of the Spanish Kudo Federation, who delivered a Kudo session, bringing his knowledge and experience to the weekend.

Beach Wrestling and Medieval Combat

The training continued into the following day, with everyone heading down to Barry Beach for some beach wrestling.

Training on the sand provided a completely different challenge and made for a great session, combining hard work with plenty of fun.

The weekend then finished in spectacular fashion with a Medieval Combat session and demonstration, providing a memorable end to an already brilliant weekend.

Training Partners, New Friends and Great Memories

One of the best things about events like this is the opportunity to catch up with training partners from different clubs and countries.

The weekend brought together martial artists from all around the UK, Spain and Gran Canaria, while also giving everyone the chance to make new friends and build connections within the wider martial arts community.

For Marie and Spen from Fulinkazan, it was a fantastic opportunity to train alongside people from different backgrounds, learn from experienced coaches and enjoy a weekend completely dedicated to martial arts.

A huge thank you to Mal and everyone at GKA Dojo for organising and hosting another brilliant annual event. The combination of high-quality coaching, different martial arts, hard training and great company made it a weekend to remember.

Great training, great people and plenty of new things to take back to the mats at Fulinkazan.

OSU! 👊

Kudo England President Visits the Midlands for Seminar and Awards Andrew Leighton His 6th Kyu Belt

Kudo England President Visits the Midlands for Seminar and Awards Andrew Leighton His 6th Kyu Belt
25 Sep
Marie Spencer Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mark Spencer, President of Kudo England and Head Coach of Yorkshire Kudo, which trains out of Team Fulinkazan Martial Arts Club in Bradford, recently travelled to the Midlands to deliver a Kudo seminar and spend time training with fellow martial artists.

The seminar brought together Kudo practitioners for a fantastic opportunity to develop their technical skills, learn from one another, and continue growing their understanding of Kudo.

Congratulations to Andrew Leighton on His 6th Kyu

A special highlight of the visit was the presentation of Andrew Leighton’s 6th Kyu belt.

Andrew, Head Coach at KSG, had successfully graded earlier in the year, and Mark took the opportunity during his Midlands visit to formally award him his new belt.

Achieving a new grade is an important milestone in any martial artist’s journey, recognising dedication, commitment, and continued development. Congratulations to Andrew on this well-deserved achievement.

Building the Kudo Community

As President of Kudo England and Head Coach of Yorkshire Kudo, Mark plays an important role in supporting the development of Kudo across the country. Yorkshire Kudo trains out of Team Fulinkazan Martial Arts Club in Bradford, where practitioners develop their skills and continue to grow the Kudo community in the region.

Visits like this are an important part of developing Kudo across England, bringing together instructors and practitioners from different clubs to share knowledge, strengthen relationships, and support the continued growth of the martial art.

A huge congratulations to Andrew on his 6th Kyu and thank you to everyone at KSG for the warm welcome and a fantastic seminar.

OSU!

Successful Kudo England North Squad Session Held in Bradford

Successful Kudo England North Squad Session Held in Bradford
03 Aug
Marie Spencer Uncategorized , , , , , , , , ,

Team Fulinkazan was proud to host the Kudo England North Squad Session at Planet Fitness in Bradford on Sunday 2nd August 2026.

The session brought together Kudo practitioners and martial artists for a fantastic day of training, development, and collaboration on the mats. With the session open to clubs and martial arts styles, it was a great opportunity for practitioners to train alongside people from different backgrounds and experience levels.

The day began with a dedicated Kudo North Squad training session, focusing on technical development, practical application, and sparring. Sessions like this are an important part of developing Kudo in the North, giving practitioners the opportunity to train together, challenge themselves, and prepare for future gradings and competitions.

Following the Kudo session, the mats stayed busy with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Mat, bringing together grapplers for some additional rolling and the chance to share techniques and training experience.

Bringing Martial Artists Together in Bradford

One of the highlights of the day was seeing practitioners from different martial arts backgrounds training together. Kudo’s combination of striking, throws, takedowns and groundwork makes cross-training particularly valuable, and the open nature of the session allowed everyone to learn from one another.

For Team Fulinkazan, which trains Kudo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Bradford, it was fantastic to welcome fellow martial artists to our local training environment and help create a positive and supportive atmosphere on the mats.

The session also provided an opportunity for the Kudo community to continue building connections across the North of England, strengthening the growing network of practitioners and clubs developing Kudo throughout the region.

A Great Day of Training

A huge thank you to everyone who travelled to Planet Fitness Bradford and took part in the North Squad Session. The effort, attitude, and enthusiasm shown throughout the day made it a great success.

We’d also like to thank Kudo England for continuing to develop opportunities like this for practitioners across the country.

It was a fantastic day of Kudo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training, sparring, and community, and we’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to get everyone back on the mats.

OSU!

Kudo England North Squad Session in Bradford – Open to All Martial Arts Clubs

Kudo England North Squad Session in Bradford – Open to All Martial Arts Clubs
27 Jul
Marie Spencer Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kudo England is bringing its North Squad Session to Planet Fitness, Bradford, on Sunday 2nd August 2026, providing martial artists from across the region with the opportunity to train together, develop their skills, and experience one of the fastest-growing full-contact martial arts in the UK.

Hosted by Team Fulinkazan, Yorkshire Kudo, and Kudo England, the session is open to all clubs, all affiliations, and all martial arts styles. Whether you are an experienced Kudo practitioner or train in another striking or grappling discipline, everyone is welcome to join us on the mats.

The day will begin with a dedicated Kudo Squad Training Session from 12:00pm, focusing on technical development, sparring, and competition preparation. Following this, there will be a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Mat from 1:45pm, giving attendees the chance to roll, share knowledge, and train with practitioners from a variety of clubs and backgrounds.

Kudo is a unique Japanese martial art that combines the striking of karate with the throws, takedowns, and submissions found in grappling arts, making it one of the most complete combat sports available today. Squad sessions provide an excellent opportunity to improve technical skills, train with new partners, and prepare for future competitions and gradings.

Event Details

Date: Sunday 2nd August 2026

Venue: Planet Fitness, Bradford, BD6 2DN

Schedule:

  • 12:00pm – Kudo England North Squad Session
  • 1:45pm – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Mat

Who Can Attend?

  • Kudo practitioners
  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners
  • Karate clubs
  • Judo clubs
  • MMA athletes
  • Grapplers
  • Martial artists from all clubs and affiliations

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, prepare for competition, or simply experience training with martial artists from across the country, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

We look forward to welcoming both familiar faces and new visitors to Bradford for another fantastic day of training.

OSU!

Team Fulinkazan/Yorkshire Kudo Head Coach Joins Kudo England Leadership Team for First National Grading

Team Fulinkazan/Yorkshire Kudo Head Coach Joins Kudo England Leadership Team for First National Grading
22 Jun
Marie Spencer Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A landmark moment in the development of Kudo in England took place in London as the country’s first-ever National Kudo Grading was successfully held.

Mark Spencer, President of Kudo England and Head Coach of Yorkshire Kudo and Team Fulinkazan, was part of the senior grading panel responsible for conducting this historic event. Working alongside Kudo England Vice President Ash and Technical Director Danny, Mark helped assess students from across the country as they tested for their next grades in Kudo.

The weekend brought together practitioners from clubs throughout England and marked an important step forward in the continued growth and development of Kudo nationwide.

In addition to the grading itself, attendees took part in a series of technical training sessions delivered by Mark, Ash, and Danny. These sessions provided invaluable opportunities to learn from some of the most experienced coaches in English Kudo, covering technical details, practical applications, and competition-focused training.

Congratulations to everyone who successfully graded:

5th Kyu

  • Kieran

6th Kyu

  • Colin
  • Dom
  • Tommy
  • Mark G
  • Andrew

8th Kyu

  • Paul

9th Kyu

  • Misha
  • Ignacio
  • Juiliano
  • Elliot
  • Dele
  • Brian
  • Ildiko
  • John

The standard throughout the weekend was outstanding, with excellent technique, strong fighting spirit, and a genuine commitment to learning displayed by all participants.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in organising this landmark event. England’s first National Kudo Grading was a fantastic success and highlighted the continued growth of Kudo throughout the country.

A great weekend full of Kudo, learning, friendship, and achievement. We look forward to seeing the continued development of Kudo England and the next opportunities for students to progress through the ranks.

OSU!