USA-IFK Fighters Earn Three Medals at 48th BKK British Open
Five USA-IFK competitors represented the United States at the 48th BKK British Open and 16th IFK Cup of Europe, held October 3, 2026, in Crawley, England. Competing against an international field of Kyokushin fighters, the American delegation earned three medals, including one gold and two bronze.
The USA-IFK delegation included Sensei Audrey Bartholomay, Senpai Caitlyn Anderson, Senpai Lyric Schenker, Elvira Anderson, and Willow Swan. Four of the competitors—Caitlyn Anderson, Lyric Schenker, Elvira Anderson, and Willow Swan—train under Shihan Sean Schenker, USA-IFK Chairman, while Audrey Bartholomay represents S&S Fitness, the dojo of Shihan Scott Haug.
Among the highlights was the participation of mother and daughter Elvira and Senpai Caitlyn Anderson, who competed in the Veteran Women’s and Women’s Lightweight divisions, respectively. Elvira captured gold, while Caitlyn advanced to the quarterfinals despite suffering a foot injury in her opening match.
USA-IFK Tournament Results
Elvira Anderson — Gold, Veteran Women’s Under 65 kg
Elvira Anderson captured the gold medal in the Veteran Women’s division, defeating Elizabeth O’Brien of Seido London to claim the championship title.
Elvira’s victory was a highlight for the American delegation, with the mother-daughter duo sharing the experience of competing at the British Open.
Senpai Caitlyn Anderson — Women’s Lightweight Under 60 kg
Senpai Caitlyn Anderson opened her tournament with a victory over Jessica Hickman of England, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Women’s Lightweight division.
During her opening match, Anderson suffered a cut to her foot. Despite the injury, she returned to compete in the quarterfinals against Noor Mendiguren of Spain. Unable to kick with her injured foot, Anderson fought through the match but ultimately lost by decision.
Mendiguren subsequently advanced to the semifinals, where she was defeated by Germany’s Jessica Krause, the eventual silver medalist.
Anderson’s determination to continue competing despite her injury was particularly noteworthy as she made the transition from cadet to adult international competition.
At the 46th British Open in 2024, Anderson earned silver in the U18 Cadet Lightweight division, finishing alongside teammate Senpai Lyric Schenker, who captured gold. Two years later, both athletes returned to Crawley to compete in the adult Women’s Lightweight division.
Sensei Audrey Bartholomay — Bronze, Women’s Heavyweight Over 60 kg
Representing Shihan Scott Haug’s S&S Fitness dojo, Sensei Audrey Bartholomay entered the British Open with an established record of international success. At the 2025 IFK World Tournament in Germany, Bartholomay earned the silver medal, finishing second against international Kyokushin competition.
Building on that experience, Bartholomay earned bronze in the Women’s Heavyweight division at this year’s British Open. She defeated Belgium’s Tine Beyers in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals, where she faced Sweden’s Agnes Westrin.
Although Bartholomay was eliminated, Westrin went on to defeat fellow Swedish competitor Mette Nielsen in the championship final, claiming the gold medal.
Bartholomay’s semifinal appearance against the eventual champion added another international podium finish to her competitive record and secured another medal for the USA-IFK delegation.
Willow Swan — Bronze, U18 Cadet Girls Under 58 kg
Willow Swan earned a bronze medal in the U18 Cadet Girls division, delivering a strong performance in her first international competition.
Swan defeated Great Britain’s Nieve Sorge in her opening match to advance to the semifinals, where she faced Gwenn Kroon of the Netherlands. Although Swan was eliminated, Kroon advanced to the championship final, where she finished second to Hungary’s Jázmin Mirjam Reichert.
Swan’s victory and subsequent semifinal appearance against the eventual silver medalist secured another podium finish for the American team.
Senpai Lyric Schenker — Women’s Lightweight Under 60 kg
Senpai Lyric Schenker returned to the British Open with an established record of success in international Kyokushin competition.
In 2022, Schenker made history at the 6th IFK World Championships in Valencia, Spain, becoming the first female USA-IFK competitor to earn a podium finish at an IFK World Championship. She captured bronze in the Under-16 Lightweight division.
Two years later, at the 46th British Open in 2024, Schenker won gold in the U18 Cadet Lightweight division, with teammate Senpai Caitlyn Anderson earning silver.
Competing in the adult Women’s Lightweight division at this year’s tournament, Schenker faced Spain’s Amagoia Cantero Aguirre in her opening match. Although Schenker was eliminated, her opponent advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Great Britain’s Hayley Rowlands, who went on to win the championship.
For Schenker, the tournament represented another step in her transition from a successful cadet career to competition against established adult international fighters.
A Strong Showing for USA-IFK
With three medals from five competitors, the USA-IFK delegation delivered a commendable performance at the 48th BKK British Open.
The tournament highlighted the accomplishments of athletes representing Shihan Sean Schenker’s dojo and Shihan Scott Haug’s S&S Fitness, from Elvira Anderson’s championship victory to bronze-medal performances by Sensei Audrey Bartholomay and Willow Swan.
The participation of Elvira and Senpai Caitlyn Anderson provided a memorable family connection, while Caitlyn’s determination to compete despite injury and the continued development of both Caitlyn and Senpai Lyric Schenker in the adult divisions added to the team’s story.
USA-IFK congratulates Sensei Audrey Bartholomay, Senpai Caitlyn Anderson, Senpai Lyric Schenker, Elvira Anderson, and Willow Swan, along with their instructors, on their performances and dedication to representing American Kyokushin on the international stage.
Osu!
