Karate news
KUGB confirms 2026 national squads across four home nations
The Karate Union of Great Britain says its 2026 national squads have been confirmed after the organisation’s annual selection process. KUGB says athletes were assessed across both kata and kumite, with performance, commitment and potential among the factors considered.
The squads are intended to form the base of KUGB national teams selected for the European Shotokan Karate-Do Association and World Shotokan Karate-Do Association championships. That is an organisation-specific pathway and should not be confused with the selection structure used by other UK karate bodies.
KUGB says squad members are expected to compete in two Grand Slam events each year, alongside regional and national tournaments. Those competitions give coaches opportunities to monitor progress, while athletes continue to develop against experienced opposition.
The four home-nation coaching groups
KUGB lists Sensei Frank Brennan as England coach, Sensei Terry Geddis and Sensei Yasmin Geddis for Northern Ireland, Sensei Mike Smith for Scotland, and Sensei Kevin O’Neill and Sensei Simon Thompson for Wales. The organisation says the home-nation squads sit within one national structure led by Brennan.
The announcement does not publish a complete athlete-by-athlete squad list or a competition timetable. Competitors and families should check directly with KUGB or their squad coach for selection details, training dates, travel information and the requirements for particular events.
What happens next
KUGB’s announcement frames the squad confirmation as the start of preparation for the next season rather than a result from a single tournament. The practical focus now moves to training, regional and national competition, and selection for the ESKA and WSKA events named by the organisation.
Sources
Last checked: 21 September 2026.