WSKA World Championships 2025

The Sendai Kushiro Karate Club, with bases in Sunderland and Durham, is celebrating a remarkable set of achievements after seven of its members proudly represented the England Karate Team at the WSKA World Championships in San Fernando, Spain.

The prestigious event, held over three days from 19th to 21st September, attracted the largest entry since its inception in the early 1990s, making the outstanding results of the North East athletes even more significant.

Leading the celebrations was Rojin Rafie, who became World Champion in the Female Cadet Individual Kumite event. This marks Rojin’s second consecutive world title, having previously won the Youth (14–15 years) category two years ago. Her back-to-back victories underline her consistency and skill on the global stage.

There was further success for the team as Megan Fox produced a brilliant performance to secure silver in the Youth Female Individual Kata, while also earning a commendable 5th place in the 16–17 years category. Former European Champion Grace Snowdon also rose to the occasion, taking bronze in the highly competitive, Junior (18–20 years) Individual Kata.

Other notable achievements saw Grace Snowdon, Ava Coulthard, and Rojin Rafie claim 5th place in the Female Junior Team Kata, while Rebecca Adie, Rafie, Evie Newman (Solihull KA), and Nicole Janowicz (Kirkby) finished just outside the medals in the Junior Female Team Kumite. Meanwhile, Azhin Rafie secured a strong 7th place finish in the Youth Female Individual Kata.

The Sendai Kushiro squad of Rebecca Adie, Grace Snowdon, Ava Coulthard, Rojin Rafie, Megan Fox, Azhin Rafie, and Naina Kurup showcased both their individual and team talents, with every competitor giving their all in an event of this size and quality.

The results are the culmination of months of intensive preparation. The athletes trained with extraordinary dedication, often committing around 20 hours a week, and sometimes more, to their programmes in order to meet the demands of world-class competition. Their commitment, determination, and passion for karate were evident in every performance.

Club coaches, John and Holly Bruce, praised the team’s spirit and resilience, highlighting how the seven karate-ka from the North East had not only represented England with pride but had also raised the profile of the Sendai Kushiro club internationally.

These achievements stand as a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, discipline, and the strong sense of community that lies at the heart of the Sendai Kushiro Karate Club.