Online Academy – Philippines

The GKR Online Karate and Fitness Academy allows students from across the globe to learn karate. This week in GKR Stories we hear about a dedicated group of students from the Philippines who are achieving great things training with the Online Academy.

It’s just before 5pm on a Thursday afternoon in Alfonso, Cavite in the Philippines, and a small group of dedicated students are warming up in their local church in preparation for their weekly online GKR Karate class.

These students have been turning up for months to be taught Karate by Sensei Edwin Delos Reyes who lives in Australia and takes the GKR Online Karate and Fitness Academy Thursday online class.

“I’m excited to teach every Thursday because of the kids I’m training…..they are focused and willing to learn new things,” Edwin says of the students in the Philippines.

In casual clothes, the kids bow-in and start their warm-up, their location may be remote but just like the many thousands of other GKR students around the world, they are helping Kancho Robert Sullivan realise his dream of ‘Karate for everyone’.

It all started in October 2023, Renshi Jan Lopez and his family visited the Philippines for a holiday. Jan’s Aunty is the Pastor of a church there, so Renshi Jan and his family organised a free class for the church kids and adults. Since then, there has been continued interest in the community and a real hunger to learn karate.

Just like students that attend in-person classes, our students in the Philippines learn the basics of karate and can progress to their next grade level. With online gradings recently taking place, this group of students in the Philippines were the first to train and grade exclusively online with the Online Academy.

Every week, the students enjoy learning new skills and the benefit of increased strength, agility and focus that karate offers.

International Senior Instructor for the Online Academy, Renshi Jan Lopez, recently decided to donate some of his gently worn belts, uniforms and protective equipment to the students in the Philippines. In true karate fashion, when Jan’s students heard about this, they followed his lead and chipped in to help support their fellow karate-ka in another country.

“I was sending them a bunch of my old mitts, gloves and pads. At the same time, I thought there might be others in Region 4 in the same boat who’d want to donate their old karate gear too – we’re now sending two boxes of karate equipment over,” Renshi Jan said.

The students in the Philippines are a great example of how our online karate training options can break down traditional barriers to access, spreading the benefits of karate where it might otherwise be inaccessible, passing knowledge on, and building a truly global GKR community.

It’s also allowed our club to reach students in parts of the world where we don’t currently have physical classes.

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

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Marg Jarvis, Australia

Marg Jarvis started with GKR at 64 years of age, 17 years and countless accomplishments later, Marg shares her story in this week’s GKR Stories here.

I started karate with GKR in 2008 without any prior martial arts experience. I had been living on 10 acres of bush with my husband doing a lot of manual labour, and when we moved into town all of the exercise stopped.

I’m not one for going to the gym, and one day there was a knock on the door. It was Sensei Naomi asking if anybody would be interested in learning karate. I thought learning self defence might be a good idea and it might give me some exercise at the same time. So that’s how I joined GKR Karate at the age of 64.

I have gained so many benefits from doing karate, physical strength being one. Although I have lost quite a bit of my strength in the last couple of years due to health problems, my strength gained through karate has allowed me to do many tasks I would not have previously been able to do.

I had a doctor say to me once, “Oh my goodness, they’re not the arms of a 70 year-old woman” – well, that’s karate for you.

Aside from the physical side of things, the mental stimulation and friendships have also been beneficial for me.

My first instructor Cindy introduced me to the State Team. A couple of us started going on a Sunday afternoon and kept it up for many years, and I always worked hard doing all of the activities. These days, I do push ups against the wall because I have so much trouble with my neck and legs. Cindy and I still catch up as she lives close by.

When I moved to Geelong two years ago, one of the things that made it easier was the fact that I was moving close to friends from my days of training in the State Team. I have stayed in touch with instructors from Ballarat too and still count them as very close friends.

There are many highlights from my journey. I won gold at a World Cup as an orange belt, participated in the Guiness Book or Records board breaking, and getting my black belt at age 74 and Shodan at 78 were all exciting. Another highlight was a young lad at class who struggled with joining in. I worked with him a lot, and when I left Ballarat to come to Geelong he gave me a lovely card and a keyring that he chose and bought himself. It just said ‘grateful’ – that makes me cry even now just thinking about it.

I am not sure how much longer I will be able to keep up with classes as I have arthritis in my back that is pressing on nerves. I want to continue, not just for the exercise or the challenge but for the friendships, and to continue helping in the kids’ classes.

I’m nearly 82, so physically I can’t do what everyone else is doing all the time, yet they are all so understanding and accommodating. There’s been occasions over the years where I’ve attended class sitting on a chair doing punches.

My advice for others is to give it a go. Success doesn’t necessarily mean winning medals, I’m very proud of my medals, but that’s not what it’s about, and it’s not all about getting the next belt. Karate is about your personal development and your own sense of achievement.

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

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Callum Baker, United Kingdom

This week in GKR Stories, we hear how starting karate has been life changing for Callum Baker……from having difficulties with focus to now having aspirations to be an instructor, Callum’s Mum Anne, shares his journey so far.

My son Callum has autism, ADHD and a few other conditions. He has been homeschooled for just over four years due to social anxiety and difficulties with sensory input. He is very active and was having difficulty with his focus which made me quite nervous when I called GKR to organise classes for him.

The Sensei I spoke with was incredible and extremely supportive. During Callum’s trial class, the Sensei was equally amazing—patient and encouraging every step of the way.

Callum has made great progress with his karate thanks to the continuous support of his Sensei and was invited to senior class due to his continued effort and skill level. I remember crying with happiness when they called me over to invite him. Everyone has so much faith in Callum and he has always felt accepted by his peers and instructors at class.

Callum loves karate, especially the katas. In his spare time, he practices Kata and the improvement we have seen in his focus has been tremendous.This new found focus and confidence has extended past the dojo and into other aspects of Callum’s life.

Without the support and dedication of the instructors at GKR I don’t know where I or Callum would be. Callum has been training for three and a half years and is now a brown belt who hopes to follow in the footsteps of his Sensei and become an instructor one day. GKR Karate is a shining example of how people with disabilities who have the right support can achieve anything.

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

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With our next Stop Domestic and Family Violence Campaign about to launch, Nationals Dates announced and our upcoming Okinawa Experience less than 2 months away, we wanted to share some important dates and announcements with you.

STOP DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN

GKR Karate is proud to announce that we will once again be raising funds in support of our chosen domestic violence charities this year.

As a community over the past 12 months, GKR has raised more than $80,000 for RizeUp Australia, almost $21,000 for Shine NZ and around £8,000 for Refuge in the UK to assist with the vital work these charities do on a regular basis.

This year, students and families will have the opportunity to purchase special GKR ‘Stop Domestic and Family Violence’ merchandise with the profits from the sale of the items being donated directly to our chosen charities. All items will be available as pre-order only – keep an eye out for more information via email and on our socials.
For more information on our Stop Domestic and Family Violence campaign, click here.

NATIONAL TITLES DATES

We are excited to announce the following dates and venues for the GKR Karate National Champs 2025. Keep training hard and you could be the 2025 National Champion – entries open online soon.

NEW ZEALAND: Sunday 19th October 2025
Cowles Stadium – 170 Pages Road, Aranui, Christchurch 8062
8:30am

AUSTRALIA: Saturday 22nd November 2025
Westgate Indoor Sports – 61 Dohertys Road, Altona North VIC 3025
8.30am

UNITED KINGDOM: Saturday, 29th November 2025
Ponds Forge, International Sports Centre – Sheaf St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BP
7:00am

OKINAWA 2025 EXPERIENCE

Get ready for a Karate experience like no other. We have a record number of people signed up for the GKR Okinawa 2025 Experience.

Taking place from August 18th – 22nd, we have 3 full days of specialist karate seminars to be conducted by some of the best Karate Masters in Okinawa. Aside from this, there are organized day trips and an afterparty planned for the non-training days. The great news is, it’s not too late to join the fun!

Click here to find out more, or our online store to purchase seminar training passes and Okinawa 2025 merch.

NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES – AUSTRALIA

GKR Karate is introducing a new sponsorship program that has the potential to create significant advertising opportunities for small or large businesses in their local area and beyond.
People’s willingness to do business with others who share a common affiliation is well known, and our new sponsorship programs give those within our club the opportunity to access potential customers from our vast and like-minded membership network.
With Regional, State and National packages available, please contact Mark McConnell mmcconnell@gkrkarate.com or speak directly with your Branch Instructor about how your business could benefit from our sponsorship options.

GKR STORIES

As we look forward to sharing more of our GKR Stories with you this year, we’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this initiative so far. We are really enjoying being able to share some amazing stories, which, if you haven’t already seen can be found here.
If you have a personal story of inspiration, transformation, or courage, about how joining GKR Karate has positively impacted your life, we’d love to hear from you. Tell your story here.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

On Thursday the 15th May at our National Leadership conference, we conducted a special 5 hour karate seminar for our most senior instructors. With more than 40 of these key people in attendance, we are proud to announce the progression of several longstanding instructors to special grade levels.

In amongst these gradings were 2 extra special recipients: Jason Knight from Victoria and Kelvin Trembath from Queensland. Both of these exceptional karate-ka graded to 6th Dan Black Belt and were bestowed the title of Renshi Shihan by Kancho.

Our other special grades were awarded to Jacob Horne (5th Dan) and Edde Nio (3rd Dan).
Congratulations to all!

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Helen Naughtin, Australia

Helen Naughtin from Queensland shares through ‘GKR Stories’ how a poster in a Fish and Chip shop changed the direction of her life and gave her the courage and resilience to fight for her life.

Eleven years ago, I was working as a night shift Nurse stuck in the work-home rut, I felt the need to learn self-defence.

I started searching for a self-defence class nearby and there happened to be a poster on the window of the local fish and chip shop next to a poster for dance. I called them both and the guy from Karate called me back first so after a quick conversation with him I decided to join.

I did 2 classes then didn’t train again for the next 6 months.

When I returned, I started training 1 class a week, then 2 and then 3, it wasn’t long before I was training 6 days a week.

I started competing in tournaments, joined the QLD State team and went to the UK in 2015 for the World Cup and started working for the club 18 months later.

Karate training and the people I have met through it has taken me on the most incredible journey of my life. It’s been a journey of ups and downs, with the biggest benefits being the relationships and personal growth which have both been phenomenal.

Before I started karate, I was very insecure and timid. My training has made me bold, confident, driven, and self-aware. It’s given me the courage and resilience to handle the fight of my life, the fight against breast cancer. With the help of the wonderful staff at Gold Coast University and Robina Hospitals and ICON Radiology, I am proud to say that I kicked breast cancer to the curb!

For anyone who is in the same boat and not sure, just do it. The journey will make you, not break you and there is always the support there that you need, so go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The best part is: It will change your life!

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

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Ben Harper, United Kingdom

This week in ‘GKR Stories’, Ben Harper from the UK shares why he started with GKR karate and the positive impact karate has had on all aspects of his life.

When my children first started training with GKR Karate in October 2020, spectators were not allowed to watch due to the pandemic restrictions. I wanted my children to do an activity where they could improve their fitness, burn off some energy and learn self-defence.

The instructor, Sensei Matt, suggested to me that I also should become a member and train with the kids as, at the time, it was the only way to watch them do a class. I joined and continued to train even after the children stopped.

Over the past four and a half years, I have gone from a semi-active couch potato to a bona fide karate fan who can now run 5kms. I no longer feel sluggish or like I can’t be bothered and get bursts of energy with a ‘can do’ attitude when I need to get things done around the house or at work.

I have Asperger’s Syndrome (essentially a mild case of autism) and karate has given me more confidence in and out of the dojo. Where I would once avoid social interactions with unfamiliar people in the workplace, and try to work things out by myself, I now have the confidence to seek assistance when needed.

Karate has also given me direction in life through uncertain times, new friends, and a great social life, not to mention that it’s got me fighting fit, quite literally! I am working on developing my leadership skills with the help of my Sensei’s and see so many benefits training with this amazing club.

I have recently experienced some stressful times in my personal life which has seen me struggle with my fitness, but through my training with GKR, I now have the knowledge, determination, resilience and perseverance to take positive action.

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

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Robert-Dimitrie Chiurlea, United Kingdom

This week GKR Stories hears from Robert-Dimitrie Chiurlea who returned to karate after serious life changing surgeries in 2023 and hasn’t looked back.

In 2016, I had a kidney transplant and then six years later in 2022, I underwent heart surgery. Over time, and as a consequence of these two major surgeries, I started to gain weight and continued to experience health problems so in 2023, I made the decision to do something about it.

I had previously trained and achieved my black belt in Shotokan-Fudokan karate approximately 25 years ago and enjoyed it, so I started looking for a martial arts club close to my home. One day whilst shopping I noticed an information stand for GKR Karate, and I stopped to share my story with the Sensei there. He was very open and helpful with my queries, so I enquired about joining. I officially started in May 2023, and now train at my local dojo for between 10 to 20 hours every week.

From May to September, I was in the dojo nearly every day, and my Sensei gave me plenty of encouragement and the courage to aim high. He told me I will be a medallist one day, I will have my health back and I will live a normal life.

In September 2023 at my first GKR Karate national competition, I won my first four medals, 2 gold and 2 silver. From September till June 2024 I have won 8 medals in total from competitions in the UK. In August last year, I travelled to Australia to compete in the World Cup and also competed in the UK Nationals later in the year.

Before I started training with GKR Karate, I was taking twenty-one different medications every day. Since that time, my health has improved to the point where I have so far been able to reduce this by one-third. I can run 1/2 mile now without stopping whereas before I couldn’t walk 20 metres.

Training with GKR has helped to improve the quality of my life in more ways than one and helped me rediscover a health and vitality I thought may never return after my surgeries.

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

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Caitlin Anna Joseph, New Zealand

When Caitlin was threatened at the local park, her karate training kicked in. Read all about it in this week’s GKR Stories.

Hi! I’m Caitlin! I’m 12 years old and a blue belt in karate and this is my GKR story!

GKR Karate has always been special to me, it has helped me gain so much confidence, knowing I could defend myself if needed.

One day last year after school, we rode our bikes to the park to play tennis with our stepdad.

“Can we pleaseeeee go to the skatepark area instead?’ my little brother asked. He knew our mom never allowed us there so now was his chance.

We parked our bikes by a wall and then set up our gear a few meters away. While playing tennis I heard some noises behind me, I peered over my shoulder to find 2 boys messing with our bikes.

My stepdad noticed that I looked worried and asked if I wanted him to move the bikes. I nodded yes, and as my stepdad got closer to the bikes, the boys started to mock him. He ignored it, moved the bikes and we kept playing.

After a few minutes, I heard some girls shouting and turned around to see 2 girls yelling and cursing, accusing us of hurting the boys who had been messing with our bikes and who were their brothers. My brother and stepdad went to go and talk with them to try and diffuse the situation, leaving me with the bikes.

One of the kids in the group then shouted “Let’s go steal their bikes” and suddenly, a group of children began running towards our bikes. I jumped in front of the bikes, watching a kid race with my brother to get there first. He got closer and closer and then tried to tug the bike away from me. I got scared and kicked him, while my brother got on his bike and we rode home.

I was proud of the fact that my karate training kicked in and I was able to stand up for myself – I wasn’t going to just let them take our bikes!

My family and I had done all of the right things in trying to avoid trouble and were happy that in the end, by using what I had learnt at karate, we got home safely. It was the best possible outcome given the situation we were faced with.

All I can say is, without GKR, and what I have learnt from the Sensei’s, this story could have ended very differently.

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

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Kalofonos Family, Australia

In ‘GKR Stories’ this week, we hear from the Kalofonos family who started karate as a family activity and to help their daughter who has cerebral palsy. Mum, Linda, speaks of the benefits the whole family enjoys.

Our family started Karate in April 2022, myself (Linda), my husband Nick and our two children Alexis and Tyler.

We are an extremely busy family and wanted to do an activity together where we could have fun and get fit. We also wanted to work on balance and strength for our daughter Alexis, who has Cerebral Palsy and is completely tight on her right side. 

We chose GKR Karate as it is a place where all ages, abilities and fitness levels are welcome, and we can all train together in the family classes.

The more classes we did, the more we fell in love with the art, and even decided to start competing in tournaments.

The difference that karate has made for all of us has been amazing. We are proud of both children and how much they have achieved since starting karate.

Tyler has learnt so much, and it’s not just the physical side; it’s been great for his focus and concentration – even just being able to sit for longer periods of time.

His skill, motivation and focus are beyond inspiring. He has placed first or second at almost every tournament he has entered and is not slowing down.  He held the State Title for two years consecutively for 6/7-year-old 6th-4th Kyu division and competed in the 2024 World Cup.

Alexis has come such a long way since she started karate too.  Physically, her strength and coordination have improved, she is now able to balance on her right-side to kick and has competed in multiple tournaments. 

It is hard for Alexis when she is the only competitor with a physical disability, however, she doesn’t back down and has never let her disability stop her from competing against both boys and girls that are much bigger and higher belts than her. Her effort and determination are nothing short of phenomenal. She has won multiple 2nd place medals; however, nothing was more amazing than when Alexis won gold and became the 2023 State Champion in the 8/9 year old 6th-4th Kyu division and she also competed in the 2024 World Cup.

Karate is so important to us for many different reasons. We are loving our GKR Karate journey and are grateful to the wonderful instructors and students for making GKR feel like our family.

Watch the Kalofonos family tell their story in the video below…

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

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Kaylan Hall, United Kingdom

This week in GKR Stories we hear from Kaylan’s Dad – Andy, about the positive impact karate has had on his son.

My son Kaylan started his journey with GKR a year and a half ago. Previously, Kaylan was playing football, however, after being branded a distraction and feeling like he wasn’t good enough, he left and we found somewhere else for him to play. After joining a new team, Kaylan started having panic attacks so we looked for a different activity for him.

We decided that karate could be good for Kaylan’s confidence so started him with GKR, he took to it straight away and hasn’t looked back.

GKR has helped with Kaylan’s confidence, self control and motivation, the change has been amazing, Kaylan is like a new person! He has competed in 4 tournaments bringing home 5 gold medals and most recently a silver in Kumite at the GKR Nationals in the United Kingdom, all of which are a testament to his hard work, dedication and the support from his Sensei’s.

The GKR family is fantastic with their support and inclusiveness. Kaylan now lives and breathes karate, enjoying every step of his journey along the way.

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

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