Knyaz UK Women: A Team Built on Consistency
- Aleksandra Lebdowicz
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
Knyaz UK Women are part of the wider Knyaz legacy that began in Ukraine and later expanded internationally. What makes the UK branch unique is that it is the only one in more than 20 years of Knyaz history to establish a full women’s team.
Starting from just one fighter and gradually growing to around fourteen, the team has developed through consistency and long-term commitment. Based in London but representing multiple nations on the international stage, their athletes have competed at World Championships and tournaments across Europe and beyond.
Their journey is not about overnight breakthroughs. It’s about steady progress, shared responsibility, and building an environment where women in the sport are supported seriously and equally.
Who are Knyaz UK?
Knyaz began in Ukraine and has since grown into an international team with branches in the UK and the USA. The Knyaz UK women’s team has seen remarkable growth. Starting with just one member and expanding to around 14 female fighters today. In over 21 years of Knyaz history, Knyaz UK is the only branch to establish a full women’s team.
Our athletes have competed at World Championships, contributing to both the UK and Australian national teams and helping secure gold and bronze medals. One of our fighters has also represented Finland at Profights, highlighting the international level of our athletes.
Team leadership and structure
Olivia is our captain and serves as a steady presence both on and off the list. That said, we do not believe in a single “key player.” Our strength comes from unity. We work to build each other up at every opportunity, during tournaments, training sessions, seminars, and in everyday life.
Every fighter is responsible not only for themselves but also accountable to their teammates. We place equal trust in one another, knowing that if one fighter is operating at 80%, the rest of the team will step in and lift them back to 100%.
Greatest achievement
Our greatest achievement isn’t measured in medals, it’s our people. The family we have built and the support we offer each other, both in sport and in life, is unmatched. Representing your club and country is always an honour, and while medals and trophies are rewarding, seeing individual and collective growth is the true success.
Over the past year, our team has medalled at several international tournaments, and every member of Knyaz UK Women competed at BIWC 2025, each returning home with a medal.
Proud moments from 2025
Some of our proudest results in 2025 include winning gold at an international tournament in Italy, earning a podium finish at Way of Honour, and contributing to the UK and Australian teams at the BI World Championships, where gold and bronze medals were secured.
While based in London, Knyaz UK took part in the BIWC representing UK, Aus and Finland.
Early challenges
Like many women’s teams, our early challenge was numbers, having enough fighters to field full buhurt teams. Through commitment and steady growth, we overcame this and built a strong, competitive squad.
Training and preparation
Our preparation is thorough and varied. We train regularly in both soft kit and steel, alongside strength and conditioning and specialist interventions. We host sessions with Olympic judo instructors, nutritionists, strength coaches, veteran fighters, and more.
Our team prides itself on resilience, the ability to “get up and go again.” Under the guidance of our head coach, we stay current with modern techniques, power application, mindset, and attitude. We believe there is always something new to learn.
We also hold team calls to review competition and training footage, assess strengths and weaknesses, and analyse other teams to continually improve our performance.
What sets Knyaz UK apart
Knyaz UK values its women just as much as its men, something that is still rare in the sport. There is no judgement here, only a shared desire to improve and succeed together. The level of support offered to our female fighters consistently exceeds expectations. With fighters from almost every continent and different cultural backgrounds we are united in our shared passion.
Our cohesion and team spirit are often complimented at tournaments. This is what a true team looks like: lifting each other up and pushing each other forward.
Motivation
Our motivation comes from each other. We regularly share training updates, celebrate progress, and encourage one another. Accountability and support go hand in hand within our team.
Values and future goals
Knyaz is committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for fighters. Winning is important, but creating a space where people can grow, develop, and become better athletes and individuals is the real achievement.
We are one of the largest women’s teams in Europe and will continue to grow while setting an example of what a strong team culture should be. This season, our goal is to attend as many tournaments as possible, focusing on both quality performances and consistent results. We are also training intensively toward BI Invitationals and are honoured to take part.
Get involved
Support us by liking and sharing our posts or better yet, come join us for a training session. You might start by watching, unsure at first, but once you pick up a sword, you won’t look back.
Knyaz UK Women continue to focus on development — in performance, in structure, and in team culture. Their recent international medals and full team participation at BIWC 2025 reflect that progress, but for them the greater achievement is maintaining a stable and supportive environment where fighters can grow year after year.
They are building something sustainable: a team grounded in discipline, resilience, and mutual accountability. As they look ahead to upcoming Invitationals and international events, their goal remains clear — prepare properly, compete honestly, and continue moving forward together.
