Richmond karate club, Elite Martial Arts Richmond (EMAR), has launched a Gofundme page to send a group of its students to represent Great Britain at the IFK World Championships, in honour of a member who passed away from cancer last month.

Morten passed away aged 54, just days before his 55th birthday, from rectal cancer after battling the illness for four years, on 16 February 2025.

Despite this, Morten remained dedicated to EMAR, training six, sometimes seven days a week, in full-contact Kyokushin karate.

"Everyone needs a Morten," said Sensei Simeon, Founder and Chief Instructor of EMAR. "He was always there for the team, always. Whenever we had new students coming for a trial class, he was always there to help out and introduce them to the team."

Sensei Simeon (left) and Morten together (credit: Elite Martial Arts Richmond).

Originally from Bulgaria, Sensei Simeon has over three decades of mixed martial arts experience and fulfilled his dream of opening his own dojo with EMAR in 2015. It is now considered one of the biggest and most successful Kyokushin Karate dojos in the UK.

Around four and a half years ago, Morten brought his daughter to train at the club. Sensei Simeon then asked if he was interested in joining too.

After attending a trial lesson, Morten fell in love with the dojo and quickly advanced in his abilities, eventually helping with some of the kids classes himself.

Sensei Simeon told Nub News: "Because of his constant role (at EMAR), very few people knew he was undergoing cancer treatment like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which is quite intensive, painful, and physically and mentally demanding.

"He never showed any weakness in the classes. He always used to come in on time to every single class, always putting on a brave face and a big smile."

Morten touched the hearts of each EMAR member in his four and half years training there (credit: Elite Martial Arts Richmond).

Before his passing, Morten and the EMAR team were discussing the possibility of creating a fund to support some of the members facing financial difficulties.

Sensei Simeon continued: "We had this conversation, we had a few meetings, but then he got really sick, so we couldn't set it up. Then, when he passed away, I reached out to his wife who gave us her blessing to name the GoFundMe after him."

For now, The Morten Memorial Karate Fund will support travel, accommodation, training camps, and competition costs for the 10 young athletes representing Great Britain at the IFK World Championships in Leipzig, Germany, from 8–11 May 2025.

However, Sensei Simeon plans to create an official charity organisation to honour his close friend and continue supporting the next generation of karatekas at EMAR.

Not many people knew Morten was battling with rectal cancer until his passing (credit: Elite Martial Arts Richmond).

"We held a very special tribute in Morten's memory last week," explained Sensei Simeon.

"We did 55 rounds of sparring fights—one for every year of his life. It was two hours of full-contact fighting.

"It was very emotional, very long, very painful, very sweaty—but we did it for Morten.

"He touched so many people. I mean, the guy deserves a bloody Nobel Prize.

"He was a phenomenal human being. I've been in combat sports for a long time and have met some exceptional people, but I have never met anyone like Morten.

"Such a selfless and caring person—so now we are here to continue his legacy."

EMAR's GoFundMe for Morten aims to raise £10,000 and, at the time of writing, has already reached £9,000.

To donate, click here. To learn more about EMAR, visit its website here.

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