Wimbledon Kyokushinkai Karate

Happy Birthday Hanshi, on what would have been your 92nd. In our thoughts every time we train at Wimbledon Karate Kyokushinkai - forever the dojo of Hanshi Steve Arneil. Osu!

Hanshi Steve Arneil held many roles in his lifetime: teacher, coach, mentor, founder, husband, father and grandfather. Five years on from his passing, we remember the impact that his life had on our own.

Last night, students new and old gathered at his dojo to celebrate two roles he continues to play: Example, and magnet.

His example continues to be followed in his dojo and around the world.

His magnetism is evident in his ability, even today, to bring together people from different backgrounds, countries and communities to follow Kyokushin Karate. Within our dojo, his magnetism was evident last night, pulling back old students, and continues to bring in new students to follow his path. Osu

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Senpai Joe Salvatore, and filled with gratitude for everything he has done for the club.

We look forward to seeing those wishing to remember Joe on Monday evening's session at the dojo. Osu

As we enter a new year, we reflect on the successful year we had in 2025, which could not be achieved in part without the constant support of Mrs Arneil and the Arneil family.
We applaud all our students who continue to learn diligently, train consistently and improve, including those who’ve represented us at tournaments over the last twelve months - Hanshi would be pleased. It’s also a time to extend thanks to the volunteers who keep our club running and who continue Hanshi’s legacy alongside his students in the dojo and across the world.

Happy New Year to all members and friends of the dojo, we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

91 years ago today, Hanshi Steve Arneil was born, in Krugersdrop, South Africa. During his 86 well-lived years, he would find Kyokushinkai Karate under the tutelage of Sosai Mas Oyama, his teacher and adopted father in Japan. Spreading Kyokushin brought him to Wimbledon, where he lived and taught up until his passing, and from where we send him birthday wishes alongside those he impacted the world over.

On Wednesday, we once again held a special session for Wimbledon members to remember our founder and teacher, Hanshi Steve Arneil and this time joined by Mrs Arneil who stayed with us after the session as we raised a toast to Hanshi while enjoying a nice South African style barbecue, or 'Brai' as he would have called it, on the dojo field in his honour.

Today marks four years since Hanshi Steve Arneil's passing. We take comfort from the fact that his ethos and teachings live on, not just in his dojo in Wimbledon but across the world.
Hanshi, gone but never forgotten. Osu

As we draw to a close on another successful year, we at Hanshi's dojo reflect on the effort spent and progress made over the last twelve months. To round off the year with a well earned celebration, like every festive season, we gathered with Mrs Arneil, family and friends for a lovely evening together.

We’d like to wish a Happy New Year to our members and everyone in the Kyokushin community - as Hanshi used to say, keep moving forward - we aim to continue doing this in 2025. Osu!

Merry Christmas from Wimbledon Karate Kyokushinkai to all of our past and present members and friends.

As Hanshi used to say, enjoy a rest over Christmas but don't eat too much as we'll be back to train hard again in January. Osu!