The Aberdeen University Karate Club enjoyed its strongest performance to date at the recent British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Karate Championships last month.
The event, which was held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield, saw more than 700 entries – the largest competition in its history.
For Aberdeen’s squad of five athletes, Joeseph Fitzgibbon (club president), Enya Moosa, Faye Dark, Mac Walters and Ping Yip Ng, accompanied by University Chief Instructor and Coach Grant Conroy (6th Dan), the trip was both a physical and mental endurance test. The team faced an 11-hour competition schedule each day (9am–8pm), alongside a seven-hour drive each way from Aberdeen.
There are two principal disciplines at BUCS:
Kata – A choreographed sequence of techniques performed individually or in synchronised teams of three, subdivided by ability level and gender.
Kumite – Controlled contact sparring, scored by points. Athletes compete individually or as part of a team, divided by weight, grade and gender.
Medals are awarded across numerous subcategories, reflecting the depth and breadth of competition.
Aberdeen managed to secure two medals, with Faye awarded gold in Individual Kata before Mac Walters added to the medal tally with a bronze in Individual Kata, continuing the club’s steady rise in competitive success. This placed the University of Aberdeen 8th in the overall rankings.
The BUCS Championships represent the highlight of Aberdeen University Karate Club’s calendar each year. Preparation is long-term and methodical. The team trains twice weekly on campus but in addition to university sessions, the club regularly trains alongside the OSS-NKI club in Cults. These sessions are led by Ronald Watt (10th Dan, OBE, ORS), a former Scottish National Team coach who has developed multiple world gold medallists.
Reflecting on the team’s achievements, Grant described the 2025 event as a landmark for the club.
He said: “I am delighted with how the students performed this year. They really did the University and Karate proud. I’ve been coaching them since 2021 and this is the best result we’ve had so far.
“It’s always a joy to see how much these events build their confidence. The experience they gain is invaluable. It’s a huge team effort and everyone supports each other, the students also gain a huge amount from Meijin Watt’s depth of knowledge and experience and they always come away inspired and motivated.”
With planning already underway for the 2027 championships, Aberdeen University Karate Club is setting its sights even higher — determined to build on its record-breaking year and continue its upward trajectory on the national stage.