WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK KARATE CLUB
Training sessions:
Monday: 20:00 - 22:00 - Kata and Kihon (techniques)
Tuesday: 17:00 - 19:00 - Kumite (light contact sparring)
Friday: 19:30 - 21:00 - Fit to fight (fitness and physical conditioning)
Saturday: 11:00 - 13:00 - guest seminars/gradings/individual practice
All trainings will be in the combat room in the Sports and Wellness Hub
Please book your session through Warwick sport app: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/sport/app/
Our first taster session is on Sports day Friday 3rd of October at 15:15 to 16:45
The club is open to Warwick students and non-student adults.
What is karate?
Karate is a form of self-defense. The word Karate itself means ‘empty-hand’ symbolising that karate does not use real weapons, only parts of our body to block and attack. Karate has three core elements: Kihon (basic movements), Kata (performed set patterns of moves) and Kumite (sparring). Karate works the mind and body and teaches you invaluable self-defense skills. With time you will gain flexibility, strength and discipline.
Warwick Karate Club History
The club was founded by Sensei Frankie Heydari in 1984. It has proved to be the most successful martial arts club at the university and has won The Cecil Angel Trophy for outstanding achievements on three occasions, the only martial arts club to do so. It has produced two World, as well as numerous national and regional champions. The club has been affiliated to Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) and regularly competes in KUGB and other multi style tournaments. Martial artists of all styles have been and will always be welcome to train, compete or grade, irrespective of their present grade or affiliation.
Who will be teaching me?
Kourosh Lotfi: The Club head instructor and president of the club, black belt 3rd Dan Karate Do Shito Ryu, Karate practitioner since 2004 with an experience of more than 8 years in teaching KARATE in Iran and the UK, and refereed in many national and international competitions, and was recently selected as 2025 Referee of the Championship by English Karate Federation.
Sensei Frankie Heydari: Our club founder and senior instructor from the KUGB will be teaching some of the sessions occasionally.
Special sessions will be held by guest instructors such as Jamaal Otto, European Kumite medallist, focusing on sparring strategy.
Some sessions will be run by the blackbelt exec members each bringing variety of specialities and knowledge.
I have done karate before!
Great! You may wear whatever belt you have obtained and train at Warwick. You can continue to be affiliated to your old association and grade at your old club, if you wish.
I have done a different style or martial art, can I still come?
Yes! All styles are welcome, and we have members from varying styles already such as Wado-ryu and Shitoryu.
I have never done karate before!
Come and try it out, our classes are free for the first two weeks of term 1. You can wear comfortable gym clothes. You will be able to purchase Karate suits from the club. (More info in our welcome pack)
Are there competitions and gradings?
Some of the competitions we participated in the past are BUCS, KUGB and Varsity. You do not have to compete, but we strongly encourage you to, they are great fun and make great goals to work towards alongside your studies.
Gradings typically happen once (where there is sufficient interest) a term where members are examined on a series of kicks, punches and blocks and when successful are awarded new belts and certificates by Shito Ryu Federation of England recognised by English Karate Federation and World Karate Federation. The grading syllabus are mainly practiced during Monday sessions.
Are there socials?
Yes! We host socials regularly. These range from club meals to circling. We also host sober events!
Staff Member or not a Current Student at Warwick?
If you are not a current student at Warwick or are a member of staff, then you will need to join as an associate member. You can find out more about joining as an associate member here.
What will it cost me?
- Sports Federation Student Membership £24 (Mandatory for all sports)
- Club Pass Membership Fee (ON CAMPUS) £71.50 (Mandatory for all sports on campus)
- £6 joining fee per club (Mandatory for all martial art sports)
- We charge fees for coaching which can be purchased in different blocks of termly and yearly (Follow links to pay):
Fee for one term only:https://www.warwicksu.com/shop/product/10279230/(£35 equates to £0.86 a session)
Fee for all three terms:https://www.warwicksu.com/shop/product/10279240/(£80 equates to £0.67 a session)
Coaching fees must be purchased in two weeks after the first session in term 1 or alternatively a £5 drop-in fee can be paid at the door.
- Optional membership for students who wish to be graded or compete will require a Federation Licence Record Book at a cost of £30. The student will receive a Federation Licence Record Book with English Karate Federation registration number and member to member insurance valid for a year.
- Optional welcome pack for new students which includes the above license and a new kimono with the price of £50.
We hope to see you there! Remember your first session is free.
Any queries do not hesitate to ask.
Stay up to date by following our socials:
Instagram – Warwick.karate
Main contacts for 2024/25:
Kourosh Lotfi – President and Club intructor – Mob: 07492203830
Beth Wilkinson – Welfare officer – Email: beth.wilkinson@warwick.ac.uk
Club Constitution