TRAIN AT
Our Classes
Our classes run on Wednesdays and Sundays in Pontypridd, plus a junior class in Llantrisant on a Tuesday. A karate class is a structured group training session where students learn and practise the techniques, forms, and principles of the martial art of karate. In a typical karate class, students are taught by a certified instructor and are grouped by age and skill level.
Benefits Of Training
Increase Attention Span & Focus
Grow Self Confidence
Learn Self Discipline
Increase Fitness & Weight Loss
Improve Social Skills
Setting Goals
One of the critical components in teaching and exercising self-control is setting a clear goal. Karate has multiple goals like the Karate belt rankings, tournaments and competitions. The Sensei will set a clear goal for your child to achieve, like the upcoming competition and the next level belt. Once the focus is placed, the motivation to reach the clear goal kicks in.
Our Instructors
All our club instructors and are fully qualified, insured and DBS checked at both clubs.
Chief Instructor
Shihan Alwyn Heath
7th Dan - Read Bio
Began training in 1969. Started Pontypridd in 1976 and Llantrisant in 1986.
Trained with Kyokushin Instructors: Sosai Masutatsu Oyama 10th Dan
Competition Experience British & Welsh International, British Team 1979 World Knockdown Tournament (10th) Japan, British Open Knockdown Tournament ( 2nd & twice 3rd ), Welsh Open Knockdown 2nd,  British & Welsh Knockdown Team Member. The first EKO European Knockdown Championships Welsh Team member
Coach to British & Welsh Knockdown Team. Qualified Coach, First Aider, DBS Checked EKO European Kata & Kumite Referee Attended many Seminars all over Europe, Japan, Hawaii.
Trained with:
Shihans:
Shigeru Oyama
Tadashi Nakamura
Loek Hollander
Steve Arneil
Bobby Lowe
Howard Collins
Brian Fitkin
Furko Kalman
Tony Pinero and others
Also EKO European Kata & Kumite Referee
WKO Branch Chief
Attended Many Seminars all over Europe, Japan & Hawaii
Assistant Instructor
Sensei Garry Haines
4th Dan - Read Bio
Began training in 1984 in Pontypridd Dojo.
Trained with Kyokushin Instructors:
Shihans
Alwyn Heath, Steve Arneil, Joe Claronino, Howard Collins, Brian Fitkin, Furko Kalman, Cyril Andrews,  Noricha Tsukamoto
Competition Experience
British & Welsh International, English & Welsh Open Knockdown Champion & Medalist, British Team 1995 World Knockdown Championships Japan, British & Welsh Knockdown Team Member Medalist.
Coach to British & Welsh Knockdown Team. Qualified Coach, First Aider, DBS Checked
Attended Seminars throughout Europe
Assistant Instructor
Sensei Denise Jones
4th Dan - Read Bio
Began training in 1998 in Pontypridd Dojo
Trained with Kyokushin Instructors:
Shihans Alwyn Heath, Howard Collins, Brian Fitkin, Furko Kalman, Cyril Andrews, Michael Soderkvist, Jan Bulow and Noricha Tsukamoto
 Competition Experience
British Open Clicker Points 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Welsh Open Knockdown, Dutch Open Knockdown, French Open Knockdown, BKK Regional Open Knockdown (3rd), MOKKO British Kata (3rd)
Qualified EKO European Judge
Qualified Coach, First Aider, DBS Checked
Attended Seminars throughout Europe
Assistant Instructor
Sensei Sarah Vaughan
3rd Dan - Read Bio
Began training in 2000 in Pontypridd Dojo
Trained with Kyokushin Instructors:
Shihans Alwyn Heath, Howard Collins, Brian Fitkin, Furko Kalman, Cyril Andrews, Michael Soderkvist, Jan Bulow, Alexander Goncharenko and Remigiusz Karpinski.
Competition Experience
French Open Knockdown, BKK regional Open Knockdown, British Clicker Points – 1st, WelshTeam Member
Qualified Coach, First Aider, DBS Checked
Attended Seminars in Britain & Poland
Classes
Pontypridd Dojo
Hawthorn Leisure Centre
Wednesdays & Sundays
Juniors ( under 14 years ) – 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Seniors ( over 14 years ) – 7.30pm -9pm
Llantrisant Dojo
Llantrisant Leisure Centre
Tuesdays
Family Class ( over 5 years )
6.30pm – 7.30pm
Black Belts
3rd Dan
Martin Rees
Read Bio
Began training in 1998 – joined Pontypridd Dojo in 2013
Trained with Instructors:
Shihans Alwyn Heath, Howard Collins, Brian Fitkin, Cyril Andrews,  Noricha Tsukamoto, Michael Sodervist, Jan Bulow, Alexander Gonacharenko, Remigiesz Karpininski
Competition Experience
Welsh Open Knockdown, Wales v England, IKO British Open Team – 1st
Attended Seminars in Britain, Poland & Belgium
3rd Dan
Luke Rees
Read Bio
Began training in 2000 – joined Pontypridd Dojo in 2013
Competition Experience
Dutch Open Knockdown Tournament.
Trained with Kyokushin Instructors:
Shihans Alwyn Heath, Howard Collins, Brian Fitkin, Cyril Andrews, Noricha Tsukamoto, Michael Sodervist, Jan Bulow, Alexander Gonacharenko, Remigiesz Karpininski
2nd Dan
Darlene Foster
Read Bio
Began training in 2002 ATÂ Pontypridd Dojo
Trained with Instructors:
Shihans Alwyn Heath, Cyril Andrews
Competition Experience
Welsh All Styles International, British & Welsh Kata Champion, WKF All Styles World & European Disabled Kata Silver Medalist
Attended Seminars in Britain
1st Dan
Ethan Thomas
Read Bio
Began training in 2009 at Pontypridd/Llantrisant Dojo
Trained with Instructors:
Shihans Alwyn Heath, Cyril Andrews
Competition Experience
Welsh International, British & Welsh All Styles Champion&Â Medalist, Dutch Open – 2nd & 3rd
Attended Seminars in Britain
1st Dan
Petra Williams
Read Bio
Restarted training in 2017 – previously trained as a Junior
Shihan Alwyn Heath
Attended Seminars in Britain
1st Dan
Valentin CadarÂ
Read Bio
Karate Teaches Commitment
Are you finding it difficult for your child to complete tasks? And let’s not even get started on school work! How many nights before an assignment has got to be in when your child runs into your room frantically and shouting that it has to be in tomorrow? Your child might be young, and you brush it off that it’s only a phase. Still, responsibility and commitment are two fundamental values that need to be taught in a young life. Kyokushin/Shinkyokushin Karate, amongst other things, embodies these values and teaches students the importance of commitment, not only while practising the art but also in their daily lives.
Become Part Of A Team
One of the benefits of extra-curricular activities such as these is the social aspect. They will get to become part of a team and maybe even make a few new friends along the way. If your child is lacking confidence or social skills, this could be a great opportunity for them. There’s no doubt that Karate is a fun way to stay active. The classes can be very varied and there’s always something new and exciting to learn. This is very motivating for kids and adults alike.
Temptation Control
Your child’s world is filled with temptation, from finishing the next episode of the series instead of starting homework to prefer eating the bowl of ice cream than dinner. Karate starts teaching your child self-control from the beginning. For example, instead of saying yes to joining their friends after school to watch a movie, they will exercise self-control by saying no, they have class. Karate can also be your child’s way of avoiding temptation if they need to stop doing something.
Disability Sport Wales
In Conjuction with WKGB Ltd and approved Disability Sport Wales Clubs have the following
Objectives & Environment
- To enable disabled athletes to reach their potential.
- To integrate athletes with a disability into mainstream Karate clubs.
- To provide competition opportunities for athletes with a disability.
- To increase the number of coaches working with athletes with a disability.
- To provide quality training and coaching courses for coaches working with athletes with a disability.
Pontypridd Kyokushin Karate hold the Disability Wales Insport Bronze award and are members of WKGB Ltd ( the only Sport Wales recognised Governing Body for all Karate in Wales.)
About Our Clubs
Kyokushin Karate
Class Timetables
Visit Our Clubs
Get Fit With Us At Pontypridd & Llantrisant Kyokushin Karate
