Instructor Maki Nakasone
World, International, European and National Gold Medalist
Gold medal – World Kung Fu Championship 2023 & 2025, Gold medal – European Championship 2024, Gold medal – UK National Championship 2022/23, Gold medal – Southern Shaolin Invitational Tournament 2024
Maki began her Kung Fu journey in 2005, in Southern style, Fujian White Crane Kung fu. Within 3 years, she excelled quickly to become a Foundation Instructor and won her first gold medal in the club internal competition – a gold medal in sparring, and bronze in the forms category.
Maki started teaching online during Covid in 2019 and resumed her competition career in 2022. Winning a gold medal in UK National Championship in 2022 qualified her to take part in Team GB to compete in the World Kung Fu Championship in 2023, where she went on to win a gold medal in freehand form category, bronze in short weapon category and silver medal in group form.
The following year she won a gold medal at the European Championship in freehand form category, and again in the UK National championship. Most recently she won a gold medal for her freehand form and silver medal for her short weapon form in the South Shaolin Invitational Tournament, 2024, and finally a second world championship gold medal for her freehand form and bronze for short weapon in Emeishan in 2025.
Classes
Maki is currently teaching a Kids Kung fu class in Stoke Newington.
Having control of your own body and being aware of your surroundings are crucial in martial art practice. In her classes, Maki often reminds her students to be mindful of those around them when practicing movements and to go through the techniques slowly, allowing the body to become accustomed to the correct form.
My Kung Fu journey
I decided to teach because of the profound impact the Kung Fu had on my life.
Being born and brought up on the island where Karate was originated – Okinawa – I had wanted to do martial arts since I was about 6 years old. However, despite my brother being allowed to go to Karate classes, it was something that I was not allowed to do as a young girl growing up. My desire to learn Kung Fu / martial arts stayed with me for many years.
When I finally started Kung Fu after moving to London, I really enjoyed the training. Kung fu contained complexity and the depth that I needed to stay interested, remain focused and grow as a person. It helped me get through difficult times in my personal life and pushed me to be patient, resilient and to work harder to reach my potential both physically and mentally.
I wanted to pass on not just Kung Fu itself, but also the discipline and practice behind it as a foundation for others to lead their own lives, just as I have. Kung Fu has helped shape my character, strengthen my mindset and even guided the direction of my life in a positive way. My hope is to inspire and support the younger generation through the art of Kung Fu.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Great acts are made up of small deeds” – this Lao Tzu quote encapsulates that major achievements are not the result of a single monumental act, but the accumulation of small actions taken consistently over time. It emphasises the daily habits, efforts and decisions in shaping the course of our lives and the impact we have on the world around us, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time. It highlights the power of consistency, persistence, and patience.
Get in touch
Got any questions? Send Maki a message using the form below – or contact her on +44 7841 030 900.
