Ukk is an established and well-run club at the Bergen Student Centre. The club was started in 1972 and is one of the oldest karate clubs in Norway. Our chief instructor, Rune Ingebrigtsen, has a 5th degree black belt and a Shihan (master instructor degree). Since the year 1993 the club has produced over 25 new black belts. Ten of these have achieved the 2nd degree and two of them the 3rd. The club has also been recognised as the best club in Hordaland in both kata and kumite (form and sparring) four years in a row. Ukk has close ties to its sister clubs in Japan, China, Canada, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, Hungary and other cities here in Norway.

30 year jubilee and international training camp
The summer of 2002 the club celebrated its 30th anniversary with an international training camp here in Bergen. The camp had a record high participation by Japans foremost karate masters: There were ten instructors present (whereof six have an eighth degree black belt), and this is a rare treat in European standing. The camp concluded with a great banquet at the top of Fløyen. The camp was a complete success, and there was a report on national TV about the event.

Instructors visiting from abroad
Since 1993 UKK has had an impressive amount of highly graded and qualified karate instructors from abroad. The leader of our branch, Soke Sensei, has visited us several times with Tanaka Sensei. The latter is Japanese master in karate and world champion in our branch of karate, Chito-ryu.

Chito-ryu karate
Chito-ryu karate is a complete self defence system consisting of both soft and hard techniques: punches, kicks, blocks, sweeps, throws, dodges, locks, take-downs and pressure-point techniques. Chito-ryu karate offers versatile exercise, and covers all the major muscle groups in the body: speed, agility, flexibility, strength, balance and coordination. Chito-ryu is known for the use of fast and smooth techniques rather than brute strength. This is why it is suitable for everyone: as self defence, exercise or self development.

Chito-ryu karate-do is a modern karate branch with deep roots reaching down to Japans foremost marshal arts masters and thousand year old Chinese marshal arts. The branch was funded by Tsuyoshi Chitose, one of the architects behind modern karate as we know it today. He was a doctor by profession, and developed the branch based on his knowledge of the body’s anatomy, using karate as wholesome and health-giving exercise stretching over a long life. He himself exercised every day until he was in his eighties.

The championship Soke Cup
Soke Cup is the Chito-ryu championship and is held every three years with participation from the whole world. Ukk participated in Japan – 1995, Canada – 1998, and Japan again – 2001, with good results. In 2004 Soke Cup was held in Australia. Ukk sent a large delegation there and we won our first gold medal! In the summer of 2007 Ukk will host Soke Cup here in Bergen, and we expect a massive influx from all over the world of an even grander scale than the training camp of 2002.

Good social surroundings
Ukk offers good social surroundings, where we meet often outside of practice, for example at parties, barbecuing, movie nights, hiking, cabin trips, and trips to cafes, pubs, discos and restaurants.

Beginners’ classes / Transfers from other branches
Are you fascinated by karate and want to try for yourself, or have you practiced a different branch of martial arts? We offer beginners’ classes every semester. Those of you who have experience from different branches get a crash course in our way of things and you can start at the level where you feel comfortable. We welcome you as a member whether you are a dedicated karate enthusiast, interested in self defence, or someone who likes to exercise with friends.

Our training schedule is here.