On Sunday, we gathered for a fantastic event to honour the achievements of our karate dojo over the past year and to mark a significant milestone – the 30th anniversary of our dojo in Ripon. The celebration took place at the beautiful Ripon Golf Club, which provided the perfect backdrop for a day filled with camaraderie, recognition and fun.
Families gather at The Karate Dojo Awards 2025
Rob Hutchinson, Magician at The Karate Dojo Awards 2025
Local musician Freddie Cleary at The Karate Dojo Awards 2025

The atmosphere was lively – enhanced by the enchanting sounds of live music featuring Freddie Cleary and the mesmerising magic of Rob Hutchinson, both of whom are proud past students of our dojo.

Their performances added a unique touch to the event, creating a memorable experience for everyone in attendance.

We also had the talented Simon behind the lens, capturing the day’s highlights with his exceptional photography skills.

It was heartwarming to see so many members of our karate family come together in a social setting, strengthening the bonds that make our dojo a thriving community.

A special congratulations goes out to all of our award winners!

We had the honor of recognising some truly remarkable individuals who exemplify the spirit of karate:
🏆 Best Attitude Award:  Eloise Dawes
🏆 Courage Award: Cameron Spooner
🏆 Honorary Award: Cameron Hainsworth
🏆 Best Newcomer Award: Dominic Fisk
🏆 Instructor’s Choice: Beatrice Ionescu  
🏆 Dedication Award: Keira Goodhall  
🏆 DEREK BURTON AWARD: Mac Lawler  
🏆 Leadership Award: Lisa Goldfell  
🏆 Excellence in Technique: Adam Hardy  
🏆 Most Improved Karateka: Helen Ashby  
🏆 Best Overall Student: Jason Hill
Congratulations to each and every one of you! Your hard work and dedication to karate are truly commendable. I sincerely wish we could celebrate even more talented individuals who contribute to our dojo’s success.
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I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the students and parents for your unwavering support. Your enthusiasm and commitment create a wonderful environment for growth and learning within our dojo.

To my amazing wife Nicola, who’s encouragement in everything we do at the dojo means the world to me.

Lastly, thank you for the thoughtful gift and kind words as I celebrate 30 years of teaching karate in Ripon. It has been an incredible journey, and I look forward to many more years of inspiring and training the next generation of karatekas!

Great food at The Karate Dojo Awards 2025
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Here’s to our dojo and the amazing community we’ve built together!