The Hastings and Bexhill club was first established in Bexhill over 25 years ago by Hanshi Steve Arneil. Hanshi Steve Arneil is one of the most influential and respected men in the world of karate today, regardless of organisation. He is one of the original students who trained under Masutatsu Oyama and is in fact probably the closest student ever to our master. Among other things, Hanshi Steve Arneil was the first man ever to complete the 100 man kumite, which consists of fighting 100 men consevutively in full contact bouts. It should be noted that when the 100 man kumite test was first introduced in Japan the rules were not based on the current knockdown rules as we know them today. But allowed full attacks, both hands and feet to the head as well as grabbing and throws.
The popularity and importance of Hanshi is better appreciated when travelling with him abroad, but unfortunately the only people that ever see this side are members of the British Knockdown team who travel with him to tournaments.
When Hanshi Steve Arneil is visiting foreign countries it is common practice for students to travel, not only fom the host country, but from all neighbouring countries also. Students have been known to charter flights and travel thousands of miles for the privilege of training under him.
Since the founding of the British Karate Kyokushinkai in 1965 we have seen a steady progression in both size and ability of one of the most respected Karate Organisations in Britain. One major reason for this progression lies in the personality and drive of its chief instructor Hanshi Steve Arneil (9thDan). His depths of knowledge and tireless efforts have developed the unity of the British Karate Kyokushinkai.
Hanshi Arneil spent many years travelling the world, his journey culminating in Japan where he spent many years expanding his knowledge of the Martial Arts. He was also very instrumental in the British Karate scene in the 1970's, where among other things he was coach of the successful British Squad that defeated Japan at the world Tournament.
Kyokushinkai Karate started in London when Steve Arneil and Bob Boulton returned to Great Britain after four years of study at the Kyokushinkai Honbu in Tokyo. The first Kyokushinkai Dojo was the London Karate Kai and this club was soon to become the premier club of Great Britain. In 1965 they founded the British Karate Kyokushinkai.
Within two years the British Karate Kyokushinkai had over 17 students who had qualified as British International Representatives. Steve Arneil became the British and English Team Manager and Coach and when the British Karate Team won the World Championship (the first country outside Japan to do so), he won the award for the World's Best Coach.
The British Karate Kyokushinkai now has over 45 Dojos in Great Britain and in 1978 staged the largest Karate Tournament ever to be held in Great Britain at Wembley Stadium. Kyokushinkai is now known for its high standard of Knockdown Tournament fighting which is based on full contact. However, the British Karate Kyokushinkai also competes in Kata Tournaments, Nihon Shobu Tournaments and Clicker style Tournaments (which are a Kyokushinkai innovation).
The British Karate Kyokushinkai is a founding member of the International Federation of Karate and through this organisation will continue to take part in world events with like-minded Kyokushin Karateka.
The British Karate Kyokushinkai is also a founder member of the English Karate Governing Body, English Traditional Karate Body.
The Grading Syllabus is one of the worlds most comprehensive and is administered and controlled in Britain by a highly qualified Board of Examiners.
What is Kyokushinkai?
Karate is both an art and philosophy, because each person has a different personality, this reflects itself in their interpretation. Therefore, karate masters founded their own schools, teaching their style or ryu. Kyokushinkai is the name given to our style.
History obtained from Official BKK site. www.bkk-kyokushinkai.co.uk