At Kanzen, our role is to create opportunities for all, especially those from grassroots backgrounds, to reach their highest potential. Much of this work is done on a recreational basis through our community partners. Through our partnership with Abertay University, we’re equipping our people with high-level sports science preparation, setting them up not just for competition but for a lifelong journey in physical fitness, education, and personal growth.
We have been working with Dr John Babraj and his team at the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences for several years now. Most recently, we had 12 individuals selected to train with Abertay in preparation for the WUKF European Championships in Warsaw. Once again, the work produced solid results with Kanzen being ranked in top five of attending European groups.
Focusing on conditioning and recovery, the Abertay team created a bespoke training block tailored to the specific needs of Karate. The university training sessions are sprint-based, centred on conditioning and developing endurance.
Our collaboration with Abertay is about much more than physical training – it’s a gateway for people to step into an academic environment, sparking their interest in careers in sports science and coaching. Our people have access to leading sports science resources, including performance analysis, nutrition guidance and injury prevention. This type of preparation is crucial for sustaining peak physical condition and people train sustainably.
One of the most impactful aspects of our partnership is the exposure it provides to a university setting. Many of our young people may not have previously considered higher education as a viable path. By engaging with Abertay’s sports science team, they see firsthand that careers in sports science and coaching are within their reach. This experience has inspired several of our people to pursue studies at Abertay, motivated by the experience of being in the sports lab.
For some, stepping onto a university campus for the first time can be a daunting experience, even as a youngster attending for additional Karate fitness training. However, this process has gone a long way to break down barriers and has inspired people into the university setting.
This has not happened by accident. Much of this is down to the supportive learning environment created by Dr John and the team on campus.
This partnership show has created a perfect blend – a model where physical training, academia, and outreach come together.
We’re very grateful for Abertay’s support in providing a setting that goes beyond winning medals; it’s about preparing young people for success in every aspect of life.
Read more about about Abertay's partnership with Kanzen Karate
