History of Bethnal Green Dojo

Bethnal Green karate Club was founded and opened in Sept’ 1976 by Graham Warden, where it started in a small Hall at St john Church. It has had numerous Halls throughout Bethnal Green since. The last Hall being  St Mathews Church Hall Bethnal Green. We have had many champions and successes over the years. Here are some of those names...

Winners of Full Contact British and International Tournaments:
Graham Warden, Glenn Sharp, Harry Buckley, Bill Cross, Nick Dacosta, Colm Daly, Ken Fitzpatrick, Kenny Jarvis, Momen Miah, Justin Warden, Paul Travis, Lee O'neill, Holly O'neill, Malcom Scott, Kelly Balmer, Wai Chung, Lee Priest, Stuart Lee, Sati Narula, Darren Chan, Timmy Warden & Paula Warden.

Winners of Semi Contact British Tournaments: 

Darren Chan & Steven Ouko

Winners of Semi Contact British Tournaments under 16’s:
Bonnie Day, Kieran Rodden, Gary Finesilver, Shane Devine, Stuart Lee, Nick Lee, Lisa McKenna & Justin Warden.

Winners of Full Contact World Tournaments:
Timmy Warden & Paula Warden.

Unfortunately we had to leave the Bethnal Green area due to Hall refurbishments in early 2004, When the St Mathews Church Hall was going to be refurbished for other activities.

G. Warden found another Hall to use outside his known area in Woodford Essex. There the karate club continued its successes in numerous Tournaments and again being representative in another World Tournament. But again the Hall was to under go refurbishments therefore the club was forced to close in early January 2006 after having 8 members of its adult pupils represent GB in the World Tournament 2005 out of a team of 20 fighters. Bethnal Green karate Club is the only karate Club in the British Karate Kyokushinkai to have produced world champions. Paula Warden was The 1st Ladies ever heavy weight IFK Champion and Timmy Warden was the 1st Mens middle weight IFK Champion, unfortunately the association has never had another since.

Chief Instructor Graham was also privileged to be the only Lightweight to represent G. Britain in an Open Weight Kyokushinkai World Tournament held in Japan 1987, where he was placed in the top 32 (that day he was also the oldest and smallest fighter ever to have fought for the British Team)

NOW...

We are back in our native area and we would like to invite back any of our old members that may wish to come back training but above all we would like to invite as many new members under 16 and over, that wish to train to come down to the club.