We have the highest ranked qualified male and female karate instructors in Leicester.
Former European & National Champions.
NEW BEGINNERS
WELCOME THIS WEEK!
JANUARY 2026
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07984 903082
2026 is our 60th year - the oldest karate club in the U.K.
KARATE NEWS
Leicester Karate Club Membership Form
Happy Birthday to
Leicester Karate Club!
SPECIAL EVENT COMING IN JUNE WITH SPECIAL KARATE COURSE WITH GUEST INSTRUCTOR!
Leicester Karate Club in 2026 is celebrating a landmark birthday of 60 years. We are the oldest, established karate club in Great Britain. We certainly weren't the first karate club in the country but we have remained in the same venue in the city centre since 1966. With only a week or so off during Christmas karate has basically been practiced continually over 50 weeks a year for 60 years!
We estimate around 51,000 hours of training, possibly more in this period and counting...!
We are lucky to have a club with such a history and a great atmosphere which continues to this day.
A few events are being arranged for this year to celebrate this occasion and I hope that the members will support these and any ex members out there please pop in when you get a chance and say hello!
Dave Wilkins
Club History
In December 2022 I began a project of documenting the history of our martial arts club which, as it stands, is the oldest established martial arts club in Great Britain. Same venue since it started in October 1946.
I have found newspaper articles, and various media articles as well as old photos and write ups on our dojo, its instructors and much more. So far it is around 84 x pages deep with content being added on a regular basis.
Sometimes more questions arise than answers on the dojos history and as the sands of time move on, some information as to what happened at various times in the club are open to speculation.
It is a work in progress and covers events from 1946 right through to the present day...
Dave Wilkins
UPDATE 11th January 2026
A 2nd special anniversary edition will be available at the end of the year, much more content!
Video from Don (Lithuania) from our Japan Tour 2025
Harry Ewen founded Leicester Martial Arts dojo in October 1946 and such was its popularity that around 300 people trained in the dojo every week. Initially Jiu Jitsu but changed to Judo a year later. Aikido started in 1960 and Karate started in 1966. We train in the oldest, established club in Britain.
