Proud To Support The BKK & The IFK At The 4th IFK World Tournament 2013
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Welcome To Our Tournament The 4th IFK World Tournament 2013
IFK World Tournament Organising Committee
Hanshi Steve Arneil (10th Dan)
Liam Keaveney (7th Dan)
David Pickthall (6th Dan)
Moss Ageli (4th Dan)
Jane Charman (2nd Dan)
Ollie Potter
IFK World Tournament Oraganising Assistance
Ray Bond (5th Dan)
Neil Madeley (4th Dan)
Keith Mays
Alyse Madeley
Jo Merth
April Mays
Balwinder Singh (2nd Dan)
EDITORIAL OFFICE Email: liamkeaveney@btinternet.com PUBLISHER - International Federation Of Karate EDITORS - Liam Keaveney & Jo Merth CONTRIBUTORS - Liam Keaveney, David Pickthall, Ollie Potter, Moss Ageli, Darren Chan, Darren Stringer, Mark Goodwin, Paul Travers, Stefan Hofer, Maria Lapina, Max Dedik and Roman Uzunyan. LAYOUT & DESIGN - Ollie Potter & Liam Keaveney PHOTOGRAPHY - Liam Keaveney, David Pickthall, Ollie Potter, Moss Ageli, Mark Corpe Kyokushinkai Magazine welcomes articles and photographs for publication from our readers. However, any views and opinions expressed in contributors material do not necessarily represent those of the Editor in Chief or publishers of Kyokushinkai Magazine. The Kanku, Calligraphy and the word Kyokushinkai™ are registered trade marks of Kyokushin (UK) Limited. IFK logo © BPS Arneil 1992. All rights reserved. “Kyokushinkai Magazine and its Editor reserves the right to edit, alter or revise any material submitted for publication should it be deemed necessary.” and Timeframe for their year on year assistance. As ever Jo Merth & Ollie Potter have assisted immeasurably in many ways and my gratitude for their patience, ideas and support. As ever I welcome any articles, photos you may have for the next issue of your magazine.
www,ifk-kyokushin.com www.ifkworldtournament2013.com
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Contents Hanshi Steve Arneil Welcome - Page 7 Tournament Welcomes - Page 7 Team Entries - Page 10 IFK Referee, Judges & Officials - Page 11 IFK Country Representatives - Page 11 Fighters & Representatives - Page 12 Entered Fighters - Page 14 Previous World Adult Tournament Winners - Page 21 Previous World Cadet Tournament Winners - Page 24 Maria Lepina Interview - Page 27 IFK World Map - Page 28 Most Spirited Fighter - Page 31 Roman Uzunyan Interview - Page 32 Max Dedik Interview - Page 33 Darren Stringer Interview - Page 34 Darren Chan Interview - Page 37 Stefan Hofer Interview - Page 38 Paul Travers Interview - Page 39 Mark Goodwin Interview - Page 41 Hanshi Steve Arneil Time Line - Page 42 Mas Oyama Time Line - Page 46 Rules: Foul & Allowed Techniques - Page 54
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Welcome Message
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to the International Federation of Karate (Kyokushin) 4th World Tournament here in Crawley at K2.
as an independent organisation. Through the IFK we will continue to develop in a way that benefits all members, of all grades, in all member countries, so that there can be harmony and dedication.
I would also like to welcome our Honorary VIP guests and our sponsors to this special occasion and to thank them for their support. I am very confident that this Tournament will be a great success.
I would like to extend my thanks to Shihan Liam Keaveney (7th Dan), Shihan David Pickthall (6th Dan), Sensei Moss Ageli (4th Dan), Senpai Jane Charman (2nd Dan), Senpai Balwinder Singh (2nd Dan) and Ollie Potter for their hard work in organising this event. I would also like to thank the IFK Chief Referee Shihan Alex Kerrigan (7th Dan) and all officials here today for their support.
The competitors, representing countries, will display their skill and spirit. They will also demonstrate the true unity of comradeship throughout this tournament. We will witness the true essence of karate and proper Budo. The competitors are both men and women. These competitors, who will be representing their countries, will have trained themselves to a very high standard and will show tremendously strong techniques and skill during the competition.
I would like to thank all the unnamed members who have worked with true Budo spirit for the success of this tournament.
The IFK was founded by myself in 1991 and since this time we have developed in many countries. The quality of our karate is regarded at a very high level and is respected by many other Budo organisations. I regard myself as one of the sons of Mas Oyama. During my days as a student he guided and taught me about the philosophies of Kyokushin and the importance of Kata. He was a teacher who demanded the best from his students in discipline, character and commitment.
Hanshi Steve Arneil - 10th Dan
President & Founder Of The International Federation Of Karate
This was the true measure of Mas Oyama`s contribution. The IFK now stands
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Tournament Greetings
Shihan Liam Keaveney 7th Dan
Shihan Alex Kerrigan 7th Dan
HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Talal
Secretary General Of The International Federation Of Karate
Cheif Referee Of The International Federation Of Karate
Patron of the International Federation of Karate
A very warm welcome to you all today on the occasion of the IFK’s 4th World Tournament here at K2 Crawley. This event will be held over two days and I am sure, looking at the number of fighters and countries participating, we will experience a momentous tournament.
Welcome to all spectators and fighters to the 4th IFK World Tournament, you are about to witness 2 days of fighting from the best fighters in the world of karate and I wish all fighters the very best and trust your journey through the tournament will be eventful.
On this occasion of the International Federation of Karate’s fourth World Tournament in Great Britain.
In my capacity as chief referee for the IFK I will do my best to ensure all fighters are treated equally within the rules of the IFK, all our officials who have themselves travelled from all over the world have work hard to provide a level of refereeing that is recognised throughout the world. We are known for our fairness and values and continually work towards giving the fighters the best experience possible through out the day, regardless of country or association, so my thanks to them all for their dedication and work throughout this tournament
It is a great honour to have this Tournament and I’m very confident that your World Tournament will be a huge success. On such an occasion the fighters representing countries throughout the world will display their skill and fighting spirit. They will also demonstrate a true unity of comradeship. I would also like to extend my thanks to the British Karate Kyokushinkai for hosting this event.
Many people have contributed to the success of this day: in its vision, concept and planning (the IFK organising committee are mentioned elsewhere in this program) and I would like to make a special mention to David Pickthall, Moss Ageli, Ollie Potter and Jane Charman who have done a tremendous amount of work leading up to this event. To our fighters: I wish you good fortune and I know you will demonstrate true sportsmanship throughout the event. Shihan Alex Kerrigan (7th Dan) and his referees will as ever ensure a fair and unbiased tournament.
To all fighters I would like to wish you all good luck and the very best in your endeavours I am confident the officials will do their best for you.
I would like to offer my congratulations to Hanshi Steve Arneil, the organising committee and every member of the International Federation of Karate.
Lastly, I would like to extend my thanks to all the unnamed people who have been working behind the scenes with a true Kyokushin spirit to make this event a success. Today will be a proud day for the IFK around the world.
Our sponsors are mentioned in the program but I would like to thank them here personally for their continued support and assistance. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for the IFK to host such an event without their support. Since the inception of the IFK in the early 1990s we have tried to open our arms to all organisations who wished to work with us and we have been very fortunate to have many friends (some here today) from Kyokushinkaikan, Shinkyokushin, IBK, Ashihara and many others group. It was a difficult day in Switzerland when Hanshi and I resigned from the IKO back in 1991 - and our new organisation was a year in the planning and with much deliberation and heart searching we founded the International Federation of Karate - this Tournament will be another step in the IFK’s history and development and I cannot believe we are now over twenty years old! Whatever role you play here today as a fighter, referee, official, spectator I hope you will have many fond memories of our tournament and my thanks for your support.
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4th IFK World Tournament Team Entries ALBANIA IKO1
HUNGARY SHINKYOKUSHIN
SPAIN RENGOKAI
ARGENTINA IFK
IRAN IFK
SWEDEN SOKYOKUSHIN
ABKHAZIA IFK
IRELAND IFK
SWEDEN SHINKYOKUSHIN
BELARUS IFK
ISRAEL IFK
SWITZERLAND IFK
BELGIUM IFK
ITALY IFK
UKRAINE IFK
BELGIUM RENGOKAI
ITALY SEIDO
URUGUAY IFK
BELGIUM SHINKYOKUSHIN
ITALY INTERNATIONAL BUDOKAI
USA IFK
BULGARIA IFK
JAPAN KYOKUSHINKAN
USA KENSHINKAI
CHILE RENGOKAI
KAZAKHSTAN IFK
UZBEKISTAN IFK
DENMARK ASHIHARA
KUWAIT IFK
ZIMBABWE ALL KYOKUSHIN
DENMARK KYOKUSHINKAN
KUWAIT SHINKYOKUSHIN
ZIMBABWE IFK
FRANCE IFK
KYRGYZSTAN KYOKUSHIN
FRANCE KYOKUSIHN
LEBANON IFK
GREAT BRITAIN KYOKUSHINKAN
MALTA IFK
GREAT BRITAIN IKO MATSUSHIMA
MAURITIUS IFK
GREAT BRITAIN IFK
NORWAY BUBISIHI KYOKUSHIN
GREAT BRITAIN IKKU
NORWAY IFK
GREAT BRITAIN IKO GB
NORWAY SHINKYOKUSHIN
GERMANY WIBK
POLAND IFK
GERMANY IFK
POLAND SHINKYOKUSHIN
GERMANY KYOKUSHINKAN
POLAND INTERNATIONAL BUDOKAI
GREECE IFK
RUSSIA IFK
HOLLAND INTERNATIONAL BUDOKAI
RUSSIA IKO SOSAI
HOLLAND IFK
SLOVAKIA IBK
HOLLAND SOKYOKUSHIN
SOUTH AFRICA KENSHINKAI
HUNGARY IBK
SPAIN IBK
HUNGARY IFK
SPAIN IFK
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IFK International Referees, Judges & Officials Head Judges Great Britain
Alex Kerrigan
Supreme Judge Judges
Argentina
Maria Laura Lopez Goni
Greece
Argentina
Julio Romero
Greece
Ioannis Karakasidis Basilios Mouratidis
Belgium
David Geentjans
Iran
Manouchehr Vahidi
Holland
Kevin Van Der Boor
Holland
Peter Fens
Officials
Great Britain
Nicholas Da Costa
Holland
Conchita Jansen
Great Britain
Alan Davies
Great Britain
David Jones
Holland
Lloyd Lawson
Great Britain
Stuart Wright
Great Britain
Paul Baker
Russia
Mikhail Strygin
Great Britain
Janine Davies
Great Britain
Graham Warden
Russia
Vitaly Bogushov
Great Britain
Andreas Stavrou
Great Britain
Ray Bond
Russia
Aleksei Shepelev
Great Britain
Medhi Debash
Great Britain
Neil Madeley
Russia
Oleg Ermolaev
Great Britain
Sunil Tailor
Great Britain
Paul Travers
Kuwait
Ali Al Manaseer
Great Britain
David Dyas
Great Britain
David Lund Regan
Kuwait
Bader Al-Beshir
Great Britain
Farhad Mazaheri
Great Britain
Maria Da Costa
Ireland
Shane Lalor
Great Britain
Laurence Power
Uruguay
Ms Rocio Gonzalez
Ireland
Jon Maher
Great Britain
Balwinder Singh
Switzerland
Eduard Gabathuler
Spain
Jose Babiloni
Great Britain
Iqbal Dau
Switzerland
Klaus Ming
Spain
Pedro Castranado
Holland
Dirk Van Vliet
Switzerland
Raphael Gauch
Spain
Aldelkarim Rabahbouzidi
Switzerland
Anton Gansner
Poland
Dariusz Struski
Switzerland
Delores Emmenegger Jaros
Poland
Jan Wac
IFK Country Representatives NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA
EUROPE
Mike Monaco IFK USA
Steve Arneil IFK Great Britain
Germán Carballo
Nikola Blagoev IFK Bulgaria
IFK Uruguay
Steve Fogarasi IFK Canada
Jose Babiloni Guasch
Julio Cesar Romero IFK Argentina
Dariusz Struski IFK Poland
SOUTH PACIFIC & SOUTH EAST ASIA
IFK Spain
Stefanos Tranidis IFK Greece Eddie Gabathuler IFK Switzerland
Shaharin Yussof IFK Australia
Béla Boke IFK Hungary
Shoaib Younus IFK Pakistan
Alexandre Billochon
Sapan Chakraborty IFK India
Andrea Stoppa IFK Italy
Sampath Lasantha IFK Sri Lanka
Kevin Van Der Boor
IFK Holland
Kevin Callan IFK Ireland
MIDDLE EAST Ali Al Manaseer
IFK France
Etienne Van Holt IFK Kuwait
IFK Belguim
Kristin Thumm IFK Germany
Manouchehr Vahidi IFK Iran
Svein Dallavara IFK Norway
Mohammad Ayoub IFK Lebanon
Jozsef Nagy IFK Malta
Itzik Ashkenazi IFK Izrael
AFRICA Nazir Khan Hossen
IFK Mauritius
Dylan van Wyk
IFK South Africa
Tawanda Mufundisi
IFK Zimbabwe
RUSSIA & EURO ASIA Alexander Taniushkin
IFK Russia
Bahruz Hidayatzadeh IFK Azerbaijan Vitali Chitanava IFK Abkhazia Edik Sargsyan IFK Armenia Dimitri Alechnovic IFK Belorussia Jelena Kalyuzhny IFK Estonia Igor Shipilov IFK Kazahkstan Oleg Sereda IFK Ukraine Aleksandr Kim IFK Uzbekistan
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International Fight Team Lists Abkhazia IFK
Diego Segorvia Rios Team Leader Vitaly Chitanava Denmark Niko Ashihara Fighters: Team Leader: Leon Butba Jesper Sorensen Leon Tsvizhba Coach:
Albania IKO 1 Fighter: Klodian Tusuni
Argentina IFK
Henrik Rosager Fighters: John Poulsen Oliver Krogstrup Mette Salling Kristen Galatius Smith Nicolai Hansen Christian Junge Pedersen
Anne Marie Jardine Toyah Dyas Lia Howlett Samantha Williams Kelly Balmer Darren Stringer Alan Shnawa Leon Lund Regan Spencer Bennett Darren Channagasubbay Dawid Ozga Sam Stevens Mahmoud Ageli Said Hossini Malcolm Scott Sam Hunt
Holland International Budokai
Team Leader: Gerard Gordeau Nico Gordeau Coaches: Lammert Meinema Dimiitri Sennema Fighters: Fransien Reisiger Mano De Kok
Team Leader: Holland KWF Julio Romero Team Leader: Coach: Eric Constancia Mariano Porcel De Saint Georges Fighters: Denmark Kyokushinkan Fighter: Erica Ly Team Leader: Great Britain Kyokushinkan Pedro Quiroga Yordi Jokhoe Flemming Jinzen Schroter Coach: Ferrie Hoogeveen Coach: Stephen McCann Kian Jensen Belarus IFK Fighters: Fighters: Team Leader: Holland Sokyokushin Mateusz Szablan Gustav Rassmussen Dmitry Alechnovich Team Leader: Andreas Grof Christian Andersen Coach: Roel Wildeboor Dmitry Ivanov Andre Szegvary Pavel Shpilkov Coach: Fighter: Donny Van Lee Great Britain IKKU Dzmitry Makhnach Fighters: France IFK Coach: Louis Bax Team Leader: Tommy Smith Stephanie Van De Rijt Alexandre Billochon Belgium IFK Fighter: Coach: Team Leader: Artur Nowacki Christophe Lefebvre Etienne Van Holt Hungary IBK Nordine Tonkin Coach: Team Leader: GB IKO Matsushima Fighters: Benny Geluykens Zsolt Zsiga Coach: Antoine Bouz Fighters: Coaches: Roman Kucifer Anthony Senechal Shannon Van Der Linden Sรกndor Gottfried Fighter: Daniel De Groote Greet Pelkmans Attila Olasz Krzysztof Wasilewski Fighters: David Toth France Kyokushin Belgium Rengokai Great Britain IKO GB Laszlo Nemeth Team Leader: Team Leader: Coach: Zsolt Zsiga Michael Dos Santos Ludo Eekhaut Mel Howells Geza Toth Fighters: Coach: Fighter: Marton Kiss Arnaud Nekkab Sven Willeme Hazel Compton Adam Gigacz David Hitie Fighters: Mohamed Blalia Niels Willeme Jean Paul Jacquot Greece IFK Joke De Borger Hungary Shinkyokushin Team Leader: Coaches: Stefanos Tranidis Germany WIBK Fernec Fris Belgium Shinkyokushin Coach: Coach: Norbert Fris Team Leader: Athanasios Kapnas Michael Schramm Fighters: Koen Spitaels Dmitrios Galanis Mike Blaneck Anett Leiter Fighters: Fighters: Fighters: Kristof Jafras Shanty Jacobs Maria Papadopoulou Yashar Dzafarov Balazs Kovacs Elise Notele Giorgios Papanastasiou Saskia Wiesner Zoltan Vaczi Tim Baelemans Konstantinos Machairopoulos Denise Kassube Aneke Spitaels Chara Dimitroula Cinzia Crocianelli Patrik Lepelaar Israel IFK Eygenia Pantelidou Enrico Rogge Serge Cavrois Team Leader Stefanos Apostolakis Peter De Raedt Itzik Ashkenazi Grigorios Vaxevanos Great Britain IFK Fighters: Anestis Barmpoutis Coaches: Merav Ziv Bulgaria IFK Dimitrios Kypirtidis David Pickthall Omar Badash Team Leader: Tery Prescott Lital Yodla Nikola Blagoev Andrew Turner Holland IFK Fighters: John Moulden Team Leader: Hristo Ileav Italy IFK Fighters: Kevin Van Der Boor Rumiana Yanakova Team Leader: Hayley Rowlands Coach: Mladen Venev Andrea Stoppa Yusmin Khan Stefano Blokland Evgeni Evlogiev Fighter: Stuart Lee Peter Vermeire Marian Damov Ivan Sidoti Marco Morreale Fighters: Sibin Stoychev Joshua Mays Hilde Wilborts Hristo Dragiev Italy Seido Karugh Singh Cheema Pamela Boot Csvetomir Georgiev Team Leader: Jordan Prescott Priscilla Lambregste Massimo Fontanarosa Blake Collins Robert Broeders Chile Rengokai Fighters: Santokh Singh Cheema Arnould Cjintjes Fighters: Elena Constantin Charlie Webster Jan Van Beek Luisa Rosaura Abriojo Filippo Milletti Emma Markwell Roel Noordman Jose Riveros Villegas Cesare Pulcini Lisa Marie Heath Rodrigo Flores Madrid Roxanne Anuth-Misir Fernando Aguilar Ramos
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Italy International Budokai
Tor Egil Eitland Russia IKO Soasi Ukraine IFK Fighter: Team Lader: Team Leader: Mari Fjelldal Sergey Belyaev Oleg Sereda Susanne Gardol Fighter: Coach: Sten Jarle Pettersen Semen Imangulov Anatolii Oleksenko Ireland IFK Terje Knustad Fighter: Team Leader: Vladyslav Oleksenko Slovakia IBK Kevin Callan Pakistan IFK Team Leader: Coach: Team Leader: Darnay Barnabas Uruguay IFK Ken Fitzpatrick Shoaib Younus Fighters: Team Leader: Shane Mulhal Coach: Roland Csiba German Carballo Fighters: Salam Sualheen Adam Pek Fighter: Aneta Meskauskiene Fighter: Santiago Mosco Patrycja Calka Saher Bhatti South Africia Kenshinkai David King Aamir Ali Team Leader: USA IFK Shaun Burgess Team Leader: Japan Kyokushinkan Poland IFK Fighter: Mike Monaco Team Leader: Team Leader: Bernadine Burgess Coaches: Eijiro Kambe Dariusz Struski Roman Herman Coach: Coaches: Sandy Haug Spain IBK Yuke Fujii Agnieszka Kowaliw Karl Beidlingmaier Team Leader: Fighter: Grzegorz Piatowski Fighters: Pedro Rioz Masaki Fujii Fighters: Brandi Cooper Fighter: Krystian Zakrzewski Jackie Porter Daniel Sanchez Kazakhstan IFK Adam Planetorz Jordan Diaz Jean Carlos Auge Team Leader: Natalia Janowska Scott Haug Igor Shipilov Kamil Klemens Kamil Maras Spain IFK Coach: Pawel Luczynski Team Leader: Tatyana Gryadunova Marek Mikolaiczyk USA Kenshinkai Jose Babiloni Fighter: Slawomir Dabrowski Fighter: Fighter: Viktor Mozzyerhin Claibourne Henry Adrian Alamo Poland Shinkyokushin Kuwait Shinkyokushin Team Leader: Uzbekistan IFK Spain Rengokai Fighters: Jacek Lamot Team Leader: Team Leader: Kaltham Alolayan Mariusz Masur Aleksandr Kim Jonatan Tineo Eman Al Mudhaf Coaches: Coaches: Coach: Barbara Lamot Ibrokhim Tursunov Fernando Solis Bartosz Winiarski Kuwait IFK Furkat Abdulaev Fighters: Fighters: Team Leader: Fighters: Teona Gazdeliani Anna Brzezicka Ali Al Manaseer Sherzod Djonkobilov Jonatan Tineo Agata Kaliciak Fighter: Evgeniy Kim Igor Lamot Fahad Ibrahim Miraziz Tursunov Sweden Sokyokushin Marek Odzeniak Rustam Mekkamov Team Leader: Karol Ciesluk Kyrgyzstan Kyokushin Robert Wiklund Team Leader: Zimbabwe All Kyokushin Coaches: Poland International Konstantin Vdovenko Team Leader: Arl Magnuz Lodin Coaches: Budokai Stephen Mudawarima Egon Axelsson Nikolai Ragrin Coach: Coaches: Fighters: Vitalii Chupchenko Lammert Meinema Tendai Mutikani Jonas Rosin Fighter: Fighter: Kumbirai Musinami Dennis Rundlof Valeriia Kadygrova Michael Pys Fighters: Daniel Karlsson Evgenii Toksubaev Tawanda Mufundisi Pontus Karlsson Valentina Blagodarova Samson Muripo Russia IFK Kevin Wiklund Yzat Tenirbergeb Uulu Nicholas Muchatisi Team Leader: Alisher Kasimov Mugove Muhambi Andrey Bura Sweden Shinkyokushin Admire Chingozhoro Coaches: Team Leader: Lebanon IFK Roman Isaev Magnus Hanssen Fighter: Dmitry Kotvitskiy Fighters: Zimbabwe IFK Mohammad Ayoub Fighters: Cecilia Wallin Team Leader Anzhelika Lagudina Johanna Rapp Tawanda Mufundisi Ksenia Doronina Norway Bubishi Simon Eriksson Fighter: Maria Tsvigunova Kyokushin Simon Palsson Naison Chituwa Yana Lakovleva Team Leader: Maxim Krasnov Svein Olav Baennes Switzerland IFK Nikita Torfimov Coach: Team Leader Victor Kochergin Jo Myhrvold Eddy Gabathuler Vladimir Spitsyn Fighter: Coaches: Evgenii Diachenko Irene Jensen Skjelfjord Heinz Muntwyler Stanislav Mezhevtsov Philip Halter Svetlana Berezova Norway Shinkyokushin Fighters: Maria Lepina Team Leader: Sina Burri Irina Kriazheva Mabel Halvorsen Tanja Gabathuler Svetlana Tuchkova Fighter: Florian Zurfluh Evgenii Mamro Robin Junge Simon Zurfluh Artur Krymov Anita Bucher Artem Nazaretyan Andre Emmenegger Norway IFK Sergei Chmunevich Roland Muller Team Leader: Alexey Mezhevtsov Stefan Hofer Svein Dallavara Alexey Gorokhov Coach: Fighter: Juriri Villani
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REGISTERED FIGHTERS
MENS LIGHTWEIGHT
-70kg 005 Jose Riveros Villegas CHILE KYOKUSHIN UNION
Alan Shnawa
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
HOLLAND KWF
DENMARK NIKO
012 Leon Lundregan IFK GREAT BRITAIN
019 Laszlo Nemeth IBK HUNGARY
024 Tere Knustad IFK NORWAY
025 Kamil Klemens IFK POLAND
030 Vlady Oleksenko IFK UKRAINE
IFK ABKHAZIA
Nicolai Hansen
018 Yordi Jokhoe
Leon Tsvizhba
006
011
001
031 Evgeniy Kim
IFK UZBEKISTAN
007 Antoine Bouez IFK FRANCE
014 Spencer Bennett IFK GREAT BRITAIN
020 Kristof Jafas
HUNGARY SHINKYOKUSHIN
026 Evgenii Mamro IFK RUSSIA
032 Sherzod Dzhonkobilov IFK UZBEKISTAN
002 Patrik Lepelaar
BELGUIM SHINKYOKSHIN
003 Mladen Venev IFK BULGARIA
008 Anthony Senechal IFK FRANCE
009 Aranaud Nekkab FRANCE KYOKUSHIN
015 Andreas Grof
GREAT BRITAIN KYOKUSHIN-KAN
016 Dmitry Ivanov
GREAT BRITAIN KYOKUSHIN-KAN
021 Fillipo Milletti
ITALY SEIDO WORLD KARATE
022 Yzat Tenirbergen Uulu KYRGYZSTAN KYOKUSHIN
027 Artur Krymov IFK RUSSIA
028 Daniel Karlsson
SWEDEN SOKYOKUSHIN
033 Tawanda Mudundisi
ZIMBABEWE ALL KYOKUSHIN
004 Eveni Evlogiev IFK BUGARIA
010 Darren Stringer IFK GREAT BRITAIN
017 Stefanos Apostolakis IFK GREECE
023 Sten Jarle Pettersen IFK NORWAY
029 Andre Emmenegger IFK SWITZERLAND
058 Jurri Villani IBK ITALY
REGISTERED FIGHTERS
MENS MIDDLEWEIGHT
-80kg 038 Sibin Stoychev IFK BULGARIA
014
034 Klodian Tusuni IKO1 ALBANIA
039 Rodrigo Flores Madrid CHILE KYOKUSHIN UNION
040 Gustav Rasmussen
DENMARK KYOKUSHIN-KAN
035 Neils Willeme
BELGUIM RENGOKAI
041 Christian Andersen
DENMARK KYOKUSHIN-KAN
036 Serge Cavrois
BELGUIM SHINKYOKUSHIN
042 David Hitie
FRANCE KYOKUSHIN
037 Marian Damov IFK BULGARIA
043 Mohamed Blalia FRANCE KYOKUSHIN
044 Sergej Braun
GERMANY KYOKUSHINKAN
045 Darren Chan
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
050 Anestis Barmpoutis IFK GREECE
051 Robert Broeders IFK HOLLAND
056 Zoltan Vaczi
HUNGARY SHINKYOKUSHIN
057 Cesare Pulcini
ITALY SEIDO WORLD KARATE
063 Marek Mikolaiczyk IFK POLAND
064 Artem Nazaretyan IFK RUSSIA
069 Pontus Karlsson
SWEDEN SOKYOKUSHIN
070 Simon Eriksson
Sweden Shinkyokushin
075 Mirazis Turaunov IFK UZBEKISTAN
076 Samson Muripo
ZIMBABWE ALL KYOKUSHIN
046 Dawid Ozga
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
052 Arnould Cijntjes IFK HOLLAND
059 Pawel Luczynski IFK POLAND
065 Sergei Chmunevich IFK RUSSIA
071 Roland Muller
IFK SWITZERLAND
047 Sam Stevens
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
048 Mahmoud Ageli IFK GREAT BRITAIN
053 Zsolt Zsiga IBK HUNGARY
054 Geza Toth
IBK HUNGARY
060 Marek Odzeniak
POLAND SHINKYOKUSHIN
061 Michael Pys IBK POLAND
066 Daniel Sanchez IBK SPAIN
067 Juan Carlos Auge IBK SPAIN
072 Santiago Mosco IFK URAGUAY
073 Jordan Diaz IFK USA
049 Grigorious Vaxevanos IFK GREECE
055 Balas Kovacs
HUNGARY SHINKYOKUSHIN
062 Igor Lamot
POLAND SHINKYOKUSHIN
068 Adrian Alamo IFK SPAIN
074 Claibourne Henry USA KENSHINKAI
077 Nicholas Muchatisi
ZIMBABWE ALL KYOKUSHIN
REGISTERED FIGHTERS
MENS HEAVYWEIGHT
+80kg 082 Fernando Aguilar Ramos CHILE KYOKUSHIN UNION
078 Dimitry Makhnach IFK BELARUS
083 Diego Sergoriva Rios CHILE KYOKUSHIN UNION
084 Christian Junge Pedersen DENMARK NIKO
079 Peter De Raedt
BELGUIM SHINKYOKUSHIN
085 Andre Szegvary
DENMARK KYOKUSHIN-KAN
080 Hrist Dragiev IFK BULGARIA
086 Daniel De Groote IFK FRANCE
081 Csvetomir Georgiev IFK BULGARIA
087 Jean Paul Jacquot FRANCE KYOKUSHIN
015
088 Enrico Rogge WIBK GERMANY
089 Said Hossini
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
094 Dimitrious Kypirtidis IFK GREECE
095 Jan Van Beek IFK HOLLAND
100 Ivan Sidoti IFK ITALY
101 David King IFK IRELAND
106 Robin Junge
NORWAY SHINKYOKUSHIN
107 Aamir Ali
IFK PAKISTAN
112 Adam Pek
IBK SLOVAKIA
113 Jonatan Tineo Chica SPAIN RENGOKAI
118 Kamil Maras IFK USA
119 Rustam Mekkamov IFK UZBEKISTAN
090 Malcolm Scott
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
096 Roel Noordman IFK HOLLAND
102 Masaki Fujii
Japan Kyokushinkan
108 Slawomir Dabrowski IFK POLAND
114 Kevin Wiklund
SWEDEN SOKYOKUSHIN
120 Mugove Muhambi
091 Sam Hunt
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
097 Mano de Kok IBK HOLLAND
103 Viktor Mozzherin IFK KAZAKHSTAN
109 Karol Ciesluk
POLAND SHINKYOKUSHIN
115 Simon P책lsson
SWEDEN SHINKYOKUSHIN
121 Admire Chingozhoro
ZIMBABEWE ALL KYOKUSHIN
ZIMBABEWE ALL KYOKUSHIN
123
124
092 Artur Nowacki
IKKU GREAT BRITAIN
093 KRZYSZTOF WASILEWSKI IKO MATSUSHIMA GB
098 Marton Kiss IBK HUNGARY
099 Adam Gigacz IBK HUNGARY
104 Alisher Kasimov
KYRGYZSTAN KYOKUSHIN
105 Mohammad Ayoub IFK LEBANON
110 Alexey Mezhevtsov IFK RUSSIA
111 Alexey Gorokhov IFK RUSSIA
116 Stefan Hofer
IFK SWITZERLAND
122 Naison Chituwa IFK ZIMBABWE
117 Scott Haug IFK USA
228 Ferrie Hoogevwwn HOLLAND KWF
REGISTERED FIGHTERS
LADIES LIGHTWEIGHT
-60kg 127 Mette Salling DENMARK NIKO
016
Shannon Van Der Linden IFK BELGIUM
128 Denise Kassube WIBK GERMANY
129 Emma Markwell IFK GREAT BRITAIN
Joke De Borger Belguim Rengokai
130 Lisa Marie Heath IFK GREAT BRITAIN
125 Rumyana Yanakova IFK BULGARIA
131 Roxanne Nauth Misir IFK GREAT BRITAIN
126 Rosaura Abriojo
CHILE KYOKUSHIN UNION
132 Anne Marie Jardine IFK GREAT BRITAIN
133 Chara Dimitroula IFK GREECE
134 Priscilla Lambregtse IFK HOLLAND
139 Tatyana Gryadunova IFK KAZAKHSTAN
RENGOKAI SPAIN
Erica Ly
HOLLAND KWF
140 Kaltham Alolayan
KUWAIT SHINKYOKUSHIN
145 Teona Gazdeliani
135
141 Natalia Janowska IFK POLAND
146 Cecilia Wallin
Sweden Shinkyokushin
136 Stephanie van de Rijt HOLLAND SOKYOKUSHIN
142 Svetlana Berezova IFK RUSSIA
137 Anett Leiter
HUNGARY SHINKYOKUSHIN
143 Maria Lepina IFK RUSSIA
138 Elena Constantin
ITALY SEIDO WORLD KARATE
144 Bernadine Burgess South Africa Kenshinkai
147 Johanna Rapp
Sweden Shinkyokushin
REGISTERED FIGHTERS
LADIES HEAVYWEIGHT
+60kg 152 Lia Howlett
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
158 Lital Yodla IFK ISRAEL
164 Mari Fjelldal IFK NORWAY
170 Svetlana Tuchkova IFK RUSSIA
148 Greet Pelkmans IFK BELGIUM
153 Samantha Williams IFK GREAT BRITAIN
154 Kelly Balmer
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
159 Aneta Meskauskiene IFK IRELAND
160 Patrycja Calka IFK IRELAND
165 Susanne Gardol IFK NORWAY
166 Saher Bhatti IFK PAKISTAN
171 Anita Bucher
IFK SWITZERLAND
149 Kirsten Galatius Smith DENMARK NIKO
155 Hazel Compton IKO GREAT BRITAIN
161 Eman Al Mudhaf
KUWAIT SHINKYOKUSHIN
167 Anna Brzezicka
POLAND SHINKYOKUSHIN
150 Cinzia Crocianelli WIBK GERMANY
156 Eygenia Pantelidou IFK GREECE
162 Valetina Blagodarova
KYRGYZSTAN KYOKUSHIN
168 Agata Kaliciak
POLAND SHINKYOKUSHIN
151 Toyah Dyas
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
157 Fransien Reisiger IBK HOLLAND
163 Irene Jensen Skjelfjord NORWAY BUBISHI KYOKUSHIN
169 Irina Kriazheva IFK RUSSIA
172 Jackie Porter IFK USA
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REGISTERED FIGHTERS
BOYS CADET LIGHTWEIGHT
173
-68kg 177 Stuart Lee
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
IFK RUSSIA
IFK ABKHAZIA
178 Marco Morreale IFK GREAT BRITAIN
183 Maxim Krasnov
Leon Butba
184 Nikita Trofimov IFK RUSSIA
179 Josh Mays
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
185 Jonas Rosin
SWEDEN SOKYOKUSHIN
174 Pedro Quiroga IFK ARGENTINA
180 Kharug Singh Cheema IFK GREAT BRITAIN
186 Florian David Zufluh IFK SWITZERLAND
175 Tim Baelemans
Belgium Shinkyokushin
181 Omer Badash IFK ISRAEL
176 Yasha Dzafarov WIBK GERMANY
182 Evengii Toksobaev
KYRGYZSTAN KYOKUSHIN
187 Simon Tobias Zufluh IFK SWITZERLAND
REGISTERED FIGHTERS
BOYS CADET MIDDLEWEIGHT
188
-78kg
John Poulsen DENMARK NIKO
192
193
Giorgios Papanastasiou
Konstantinos Machairopoulos IFK GREECE
198
199
IFK GREECE
Victor Kochergin IFK RUSSIA
Vladimir Spitsyn IFK RUSSIA
194 David Toth
IBK HUNGARY
200 Semen Imangulov RUSSIA IKO SOSAI
189 Jordan Prescott IFK GREAT BRITAIN
195 Fahad Ibrahim IFK KUWAIT
201 Roland Csiba IBK SLOVAKIA
190 Blake Collins
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
196 Krystian Zakrzewski IFK POLAND
191 Mateusz Szablan
GREAT BRITAIN KYOKUSHIN-KAN
197 Adam Planetorz IFK POLAND
202 Denis Rundlof
Sweden Sokyokushin
REGISTERED FIGHTERS
BOYS CADET HEAVYWEIGHT
203
+78kg 207 Louis Bax
Holland Sokyokushin
018
Hristo Iliev
IFK BULGARIA
208 Evgenii Diachenko IFK RUSSIA
209 Stanislav Mezhevtsov IFK RUSSIA
204 Oliver Krogstrup DENMARK NIKO
205 Santokh Singh Cheema IFK GREAT BRITAIN
206 Charlie Webster IFK GREAT BRITAIN
REGISTERED FIGHTERS
GIRLS CADET LIGHTWEIGHT
210
-58kg 214 Merav Ziv IFK IZRAEL
Shanty Jacobs
Belgium Shinkyokushin
215 Valeriia Kadygrova
KYRGYZSTAN KYOKUSHIN
216 Anzhelika Lagudina IFK RUSSIA
211 Hayley Rowlands IFK GREAT BRITAIN
217 Kseniia Doronina IFK RUSSIA
212 Hilde Wilborts IFK HOLLAND
218 Sina Burri
IFK SWITZERLAND
213 Pamela Boot IFK HOLLAND
219 Tanja Gabathuler IFK SWITZERLAND
220 Brandi Cooper IFK USA
REGISTERED FIGHTERS
GIRLS CADET HEAVYWEIGHT
221
+58kg 225 Maria Papadopoulou IFK GREECE
Elise Notele
Belgium Shinkyokushin
226 Maria Tsvigunova IFK RUSSIA
222 Aneke Spitaels
BELGIUM SHINKYOKUSHIN
223 Saskia Wiesner
GERMANY KYOKUSHIN
224 Yusmin Khan
IFK GREAT BRITAIN
227 Yana Iakovleva IFK RUSSIA
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IFK World Tournaments - Previous Adult Winners
1st IFK World Weight Category Championships, Russia, 1997.
2nd IFK World Weight Category Championships, Spain, 2002.
3rd IFK World Weight Category Championships, England, 2005.
Mens Lightweight 1st, Oleg Florin – Russia 2nd, Marcel Murakaev – Russia 3rd, Akbolat Appaev – Russia 3rd, Ilya Volkov– Ukraine
Mens Lightweight 1st, Konstantin Donstov – Russia 2nd, Vjacheslav Lukjanov – Russia 3rd, Viktor Neroda – Russia 3rd, Darren Chan – Great Britain
Mens Lightweight 1st, Roman Uzunyan – Russia 2nd, Igor Dzaganiya – Russia 3rd, Mark Goodwin – Great Britain 3rd, Darren Stringer – Great Britain
Mens Middleweight 1st, Timmy Warden – Great Britain 2nd, Andreas Sprecher – Switzerland 3rd, Ken Fitzpatrick – Ireland 3rd, Andrey Belekon – Russia
Mens Middleweight 1st, Maxim Dedik – Russia 2nd, Akbolat Appaev – Russia 3rd, Michael Gerritsen – Holland 3rd, Stefan Hofer – Switzerland
Mens Middleweight 1st, Shamsudin Abdurashidov – Russia 2nd, Anzor Kardanov – Russia 3rd, Alexei Gorokhov – Russia 3rd, Yannick Galipeau – Canada
Mens Heavyweight 1st, Jakov Zobnin – Russia 2nd, Alim Daduev – Russia 3rd, Vasily Strutchkov – Latvia 3rd, Felix Ntumazah – Great Britain
Mens Heavyweight 1st, Igor Peplov – Russia 2nd, Paul Travers – Great Britain 3rd, Miguel Fernandez – Great Britain 3rd, Harald Reiz Haris – Switzerland
Mens Heavyweight 1st, Timur Gatashev – Russia 2nd, Paul Travers – Great Britain 3rd, Anzor Shikhabakhov – Russia 3rd, Mathias Kelderman – Holland
Ladies Lightweight 1st, Zukhra Kurbanova – Russia 2nd, Gitta Kondorosi – Great Britain 3rd, Maria Da Costa – Great Britain 3rd, Nanzad Byambamaa – Mongolia
Ladies Lightweight 1st, Julia Devyatukha– Russia 2nd, Maria Lepina– Russia 3rd, Julie Nadeau – Canada 3rd, Janshina Evgenia– Belarus
Ladies Lightweight 1st, Maria Lepina – Russia 2nd, Emma Howells – Great Britain 3rd, Julie Nadeau – Canada 3rd, Elena Korneva – Russia
Ladies Heavweight 1st, Paula Long – Great Britain 2nd, Tatyana Gryaznova – Russia 3rd, Valeria Churakova – Belguim 3rd, Helena Pettit – Great Britain
Ladies Heavweight 1st, Olesya Dmitrieva – Russia 2nd, Olga Mikirtumova – Russia 3rd, Cindy Rousseau – Belguim 3rd, Elizibieta Lukaniuk – Poland
Ladies Heavweight 1st, Julia Devyatukha – Russia 2nd, Toyah Dyas – Great Britain 3rd, Elena Rudenko – Russia 3rd, Kelly Balmer – Great Britain
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IFK World Tournaments - Previous Cadet Winners 1st IFK Cadet World Weight Category Championships, Switzerland, 2006.
2nd IFK Cadet World Weight Category Championships, Germany, 2008.
3rd IFK Cadet World Weight Category Championships, England, 2011.
Cadet Girls Lightweight 1. Marina Strupovets - Russia 2. Madina Gasanova - Russia 3. Emma Markwell - Great Britain
Cadet Girls Lightweight 1. Ksenia Ulitina - Russia 2. Anastasia Usova - Russia 3. Silvia den Ridder - Holland 3. Ekaterina Gorbatikova - Estonia
Cadet Girls Lightweight 1. Mariia Neboriachok - Russia 2. Kristina Gasparian - Russia 3. Alex Nauth-Mizir - Great Britain 3. Laura Von Wyl - Switzerland
Cadet Girls Heavyweight 1. Anna Badmaeva - Russia 2. Shannon van der Linden - Belgium 3. Maria Goleshchikhina - Russia 3. Charell van Dooljenwaard - Holland
Cadet Girls Heavyweight 1. Mor Weiter - Israel 2. Sandy Van Velthoen - Belgium 3. Annie Samuelsen - Norway 3. Rachel Door - Grear Britain
Cadet Boys Lightweight 1. Viktor Kurilenko - Russia 2. Danil Malyukov - Russia 3. Ivan Hladki - Belarus 3. Alexander Sredanovic - Holland
Cadet Boys Lightweight 1. Bakhodour Erov - Russia 2. Evgeny Nigamaev - Russia 3. Dawid Ozga - Great Britain 3. Nathan Williams - Great Britain
Cadet Boys Heavyweight 1. Alexader Pasechnik - Russia 2. Ayaz Shirinbekov - Russia 3. Andrey Chernov - Russia 3. Denis Petrov - Russia
Cadet Boys Middleweight 1. Ivan Zasipkin - Russia 2. Fedor Meshcheryakov - Russia 3. Pascal Kung - Switzerland 3. Ariel Tahan - Israel
Cadet Girls Heavyweight 1. Anna Vishnyakova - Russia 2. Olga Sorokina - Russia 3. Imogen Sanders - Great Britain 3. Luana Schuler - Switzerland Cadet Boys Lightweight 1. Sergey Chmunevich - Russia 2. Temur Pipiya - Russia 3. Ivan Archutich - Belarus 3. Artem Tikovenko - Belarus Cadet Boys Heavyweight 1. Alexsander Rafikov - Russia 2. Artuur Navojan - Russia 3. Roel Noordman - Holland 3. Niels Willeme - Belguim
Cadet Boys Heavyweight 1. Vitaly Ishakneli - Russia 2. Eliot Dupont - France 3. Or Lavi - Israel 3. Charlie Webster - Great Britain
3rd IFK Cadet World Championships 2011 Picture Archive
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3rd IFK Cadet World Championships 2011 Picture Archive
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Maria Lepina - Ladies Lightweight World Champion IFK World Tournament 2005
Country: Russia - Grade: 3rd Dan - Dojo: Cayman Dojo, Russia the face accidentally for which I was very sorry. The judges, however, were tolerant of my wrongdoing and I won by judges’ decision. I was really happy that I had managed not to spoil everything at the crucial stage. What was the atmosphere like on the day and how did it make you feel on and off of the mat. It was my second World tournament by that time. I’d had some experience, but I felt a huge excitement and joy anyway. The atmosphere was great, the organization of the tournament was perfect, I was feeling the real spirit of Kyokushin, rivalry and friendship at the same time. On the mat though I did my familiar work, thought about my opponents and their actions and tried my best to fight as well as I could. What were your experiences/feelings about this event on the day? How was your preparation for the 2005 World Tournament and does it differ from how you prepare nowadays for tournaments? Technically my preparation was much the same. In 2005 it was a little harder, maybe, for I did a lot of work for developing physical conditions, which is not necessary now. I`m more experienced in technics and tactics, I know my opponents and try to make my preparation considering their fighting manner. On the other hand, my current rivals have higher fighting levels, and I need to develop myself constantly to be able to compete efficiently. You became Female Lightweight Champion in 2005 at the 3rd IFK World Tournament. Please tell us about your fights. I had four fights that day. The first one was against Chrystelle Badoil of GB team. She had won her first fight against a strong girl from Poland, as I recall I took our fight very seriously. I was lucky to hit her successfully in the second round. The second fight was against a Belarussian girl. Their fighters traditionally have a fighting manner, similar to the Russian one, so I was preparing for a long close fight. I managed to deliver a middle kick and obtain a wadza ari. In the semi final I fought against a Canadian girl. I knew her very well, we had fought in 2002 in Spain. She had perfect technics and very dangerous high kicks. She won her previous fight with an ippon, hitting a girl hard in the head with an ushiro-mawashi geri. I was aware I needed to protect my own head first of all. I was forced to act and think completely on my own because my teacher, Sensai Dmitry Kotvitsky, was seconding my teammate at the same time. My hands saved me another time and I won by wadza ari in the second round. My final fight was against an English girl. I watched her semi-final closely and thought I could make it technically, but I didn`t expect her strong spirit and good tactical work on the edge of the mat. It took me one and a half rounds and plenty of strength to gain a tactical advantage. I broke the rules in doing so, hitting her in
Every international tournament is an important event for any athlete. It`s a test of one`s professional skills, spirit, stamina and will power, for one must confront the strongest athletes from different countries. Every preparation for an event like this makes you rethink and change all your usual life, to set aside usual businesses, hobbies, not to mention problems and possible injures during preparation. Almost everything you do leads you to the great day you`ve been dreaming of. I take every international tournament as an extraordinary event in my life and always look forward to it. On that day I was sure I was completely ready to make it and was only afraid of some unexpected accidents, which might get in my way.
Are you still fighting and practising Kyokushin these days? Yes, I`m still fighting and practising Kyokushin. It`s my life, I think, and I believe beyond doubt, there is not a limit for improvement in one`s mental and physical ability during a lifetime. Since then what tournaments have you been in and how have you done? Since the World Tournament in 2005 I`ve taken part in : Kyokushin-kan European Championship in 2006 in Ukraine, European Champioinship in 2007 in Russia, Cup of Europe in 2010 and 2012 (GB), Kyokushin-kan European Open Championship in Armenia in 2012. What are your hopes for your future and the future of Kyokushin ? I wish I could do kyokushin all my life, regardless of age or taking part in tournaments and I hope all kyokushin federations will join at last, for there are many strong fighters all over the world and it`s a real pride to try and win a tournament like this some day. Other notable achievements IFK European Championship in 1999 – 2nd IFK World Championship in 2002 – 2nd Kyokushin-kan European Championship in 2006 – 3rd place European Champioinship in 2007 (Russia) – 1st Cup of Europe in 2010 and 2012 (GB) – 1st and 2nd Kyokushin-kan European Open Championship in 2012 – 2nd place
Can you explain how it felt to become a World Champion? Before the World Tournament in 2005, I’d taken part in a European championship in 1999 and in a World Championship in 2002 and took second place every time. I needed to try and win in 2005 to understand what a professional I was and what my fighting level really was. I wanted to prove that I had a fighting spirit strong enough to cope with anything in my life. I couldn`t see sorrow and frustration in my teacher`s eyes every time I failed. I needed to prove to him that his work with me was not a mere waste of time. And when I made it at last in 2005, it was an incomparable feeling of pride, and inimitable joy of standing on the pedestal and listening to the national anthem of my country.
Russian Team at 2005 World Tournament
Russian Team at 2002 World Tournament
How was it when you went home to Russia as a World Champion and how did it change your life? When the first exaltation of winning had passed, I switched to a deliberate and critical analysis of my fights and my original delight started fading. I did realize what I’d done only on my arrival back in Moscow. I didn`t really expect enormous happiness or the pride and respect of my friends and my family. I became aware at that moment, I’d done it not only for myself but for all of them and for my country. Sensai Dmitry said to me words I`ll never forget: “You become a real master only when other people regard you as a master”.
Maria Lepina at the Britsh Open 2010
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Most Spirited Fighter
What constitutes a Most Spirited Fighter? By Sensei Moss Ageli (4th dan) What constitutes a Most Spirited Fighter? We are of course referring to our knockdown style of fighting and the award we allocate for The Most Spirited Fighter. There have been many discussions as to why we include this trophy in our tournament and also whether we ought to award a trophy under another title. Discussions of this type will always continue and people will always have differing opinions and views. I have always believed in this trophy and the title we award it. To see a person win this trophy for me is more rewarding than watching a person raise a trophy in a placed position. Although each person who enters a tournament would love to win it and return home with the trophy, we are aware of certain fighters who in most cases will have a chance of reaching the finals. The other trophy we award is the fastest knockdown trophy, and winning this depends on several factors that can be determined through a set of given criteria. However, what we are never aware of is, who will constitute the Most Spirited Fighter, because this is dependent on much more than technique, stamina or speed.
background, or country of origin, most of them would want to win the tournament, but they know there are only a given number of placings and a certain number of trophies that can be won, and although their initial aim is to be placed in the tournament, the majority or most of the fighters will return home empty handed. There are no financial gains in our fighting system or at least in the one that we have in our own organisations. Whoever enters the tournament and fights their way, are warriors in the real sense of the word. They are hopefully following the Budo side of our Martial Art and enter tournaments with the aim of learning more about themselves, their abilities, their emotions and through that knowledge, develop their self control and self respect. The second important word is “SPIRITED”. The word carries many connotations and most of them not related to the physical or bodily experience. The word is often used metaphysically to refer to the consciousness.
but as the tournament progresses, they turn to those fighters that show grit, style and endurance. Unknowingly and subconsciously they perhaps are searching for the most spirited fighter. Finally the word “FIGHTER” – A fighter is a person who seeks to reach a goal through continuity and is a determined person who struggles to achieve or resist something. A fighter in the knockdown tournaments may impress the spectators, the judges, the referees, even other fighters, and through their fighting skills and tempo may gain tremendous support in a tournament or may set the basis for their demise from the early rounds. So how should a fighter be? Should they be acting their personality and revealing their true character, or should they hide behind a veil that does not reveal anything until the fight is over? Where should those boundaries be? Those boundaries should not be about what other fighters think, they ought not to be about what spectators see, nor about how many bouts or how many tournaments are won or lost, but about the target that fighters set for themselves and how they plan to achieve them each time and every time.
Let us define what we mean by the important words used in the description of Most Spirited Fighter. When we refer to “MOST” we know it means the greatest amount or greatest number, or degree, or unit, or measure. It is larger in size to MORE and certainly more than AVERAGE. There was a time when perhaps it was fashionable to pretend that Knockdown was a fighting system and an opportunity where fighters would compete and the differences displayed between them was merely relative, but I think that time is over.
Kokoro - Heart, Mind & Spirit
Heart, Mind and Spirit translates into KOKORO in Japanese. The function of the heart is basically to pump blood around the body, and is therefore a very powerful pump that lasts a lifetime. The word heart carries several meanings that reflect human affection – hence a soft heart, a strong heart, a weak heart, a loving heart, a heart of stone, a heart of gold and so forth. The mind is the nerve centre of our thinking process and is the complex of cognitive faculties that enables consciousness, thinking, reasoning, perception and judgment. Spirited, as used in our karate terminology, describes people who usually harness their power and continue to battle against the odds without giving up. They are in effect similar in their spirit to a Samurai fighter entering a battle. That they will genuinely have a strong heart and a focused mind to see the task through, but it is their spirit that will actually carry them beyond that point and into another realm.
Wai Cheung, Most Spirited Figheter at British Open 2011
Most of us know far too well that we’re living in a staggeringly unequal society where some people have very little time to train seriously for a tournament whilst others have all the time in the world. Moreover, the gulf between those who live in countries offering little support, financial or otherwise, for the fighter and other countries that do, is also growing. This brings us back to the word MOST. Of all the people entering the knockdown tournament “most” would have been extremely anxious, apprehensive, and even worried about what the tournament held for them. Irrespective of their
A person who is spirited is said to fall outside the “common endeavour” where the person’s uniqueness is not destroyed by the surroundings and does not lend itself to a common understanding that establishes a norm among fellow fighters and, indeed, they are warriors in the true sense of the word. The supporters of our tournaments are essentially rational, and are unlike football fans who commit to a football club in early childhood which becomes a bond of love and affection, never to be broken. Fans that attend our tournaments are there to support members of their family, club, country in the initial rounds,
Sam Williams, Most Spirited Figheter at British Open 2012
When working out the larger questions of what constitutes a spirited fighter, I would like to believe that a fighter who moves away from the norm will result in their achieving their own form. This form becomes their trade mark and their unique stamp. Fighters that develop their own form and use it to continue their fight until their goal is achieved will discover they have admirers and supporters, and the reward through satisfaction is immense. So when we speak of the “Most Spirited Fighter” we remind ourselves of where today’s most spirited fighter will be tomorrow. I’d like to think that today’s Most Spirited Fighters would use their knowledge and experience to help future generations of knockdown fighters to becoming spirited students in the dojo through determination, hard work and camaraderie, as well as good ambassadors outside the dojo. Osu!
031
Roman Uzunyan - Lightweight World Champion IFK World Tournament 2005
Country: Russia - Grade: 3rd Dan - Dojo: Saint Petersburg, Russia very active during the fight. However the result was determined by the scales. In the semi-final I met with a very experienced Mark Goodwin. He broke more boards than me and I thought that in an equal fight I had a big chance of losing. I stayed resolute and firm, looking for the deficiencies in his defence. The second time I started to attack and with a Ushiro Mawashi kick to the head I KO’d him. Finally I came up against the 2005 World Champion, Igor Dzagania. I wanted revenge for my defeat in the Russian National Championship. The fight was equal. For most of the time we were both attacking. My attacks reached their target more often and the Referees raised their flags for me. It was the happiest moment! What was the atmosphere like on the day and how did it make you feel on and off of the mat?
How was your preparation for the 2005 World Tournament and how does it differ from your preparation nowadays for tournaments? To reach the World Championship, I had to go through a very strenuous selection process for the Russian National Team. I participated in eight championships for a year and a half and lost only one fight. There was the Yamburg World Cup, three National Championships, the Moscow and St-Petersburg Championship and North-West Regional Championship. My opponents were Emil Bitkash, Vyacheslav Lukianov, Emil Djafarov, Edgar Zatikyan. I remember a lot of great moments during my World Championship training. First of all the team-work with my coach Igor Peplov, World Champion. He helped me to reach my best human and sports levels. At that time we had a super-team of the best fighters, we were all training together in one place in St-Petersburg. There was Alexander Erokhin, Dmitry Saveliev, Yulia Devyatukha, Anton Soloviev and Artem Uzunyan. We fought each other, trying to perform our best as a team and individually. Igor Peplov created the best conditions for training for this Championship. We were assisted by Maksim Dedik, Aleksey Mezhevtsov, Igor Dzagania and Maria Lepina. We trained twice a day and every morning we exercised in the forest. I liked the hours of exercise with pads. I worked through head-kicks and Ushiro techniques. We had a joint camp with the Kotvitsky team in August. We lived in the open air on the Finland Gulf shore. Most of all I remember the sand hill which I ran on many times. It was a very complicated exercise and it gave me maximum physical and emotional feedback. At that moment I was in the best shape ever, both psychologically and physically. One week before the Competition I felt ready to go to the Championship and to win! You became Male Lightweight Champion in 2005 at the 3rd IFK World Tournament. Please tell us about you fights. I had four fights during the World Championship. In the first fight I was faster, and although my opponent outweighed me, I finished before the appointed time with a body kicks. In the next fight I fought a very strong Polish guy. I lost a lot of my impetus waiting for the second fight, but we were
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It was a perfect English day. There was a festive mood in the air. Many of the competitors were stretching and preparing to fight. Many spectators came to see and support the fighters. They gave the fighters a lot of encouragement. The Contest was well organized. I liked the performance with Hanshi Steve Arneil. Close to the final fights the atmosphere become heated not only on the mat, but also in the hall. It helped me to be focussed before the complicated fights. Can you explain how it felt to become a World Champion? I felt euphoric. When I was announced as the winner I nearly cried, emotions overwhelmed me. At that moment I thought that everything was possible and every aim achievable. The target of the last five last years was reached. I thought how happy my coach, my friends and my family would be when they heard the news! Of course, it’s a good feeling to know that the goal aimed for has been achieved. It gives you self-confidence and assurance of success and it sets an example to everybody who trains. On the other hand, it’s a big responsibility. Everyone expects much more from a World Champion and I had to train harder and better. I worked on perfecting my techniques and tactical patterns still further. I strived for clear victories.
Boxing World Champion. It was a Champions Fight 3 “School against School”. I was prepared for this fight with the help of my friend and famous fighter Batu Khasikov. I gained great experience in the process of this training and met a lot of interesting people, trainers and sportsmen. The result of the fight was a Hikiwake, but I will remember it all my life. Another of my dreams came true - to represent Kyokushinkai by other Rules K-1. Since then what tournaments have you been in and how have you done? Now I continue to develop Kyokushinkai as the St-Petersburg Federation executive director and coach. I organize contests, workshops and camps. My students are in the city team. I took part in the training of such famous fighters as Alexander Erokhin (World Champion), Artem Uzunyan (Russian Champion), Anton Soloviev (at the moment he is the Silver Russian Champion) and many others. Now I’m bringing up a new generation of fighters and I’m sure they will be known in Russia and in the world. What are your hopes for your future and the future of Kyokushin? I wish Kyokushinkai prosperity. I hope that many boys and girls will take up karate and perfect their techniques and also understand the world through the art of fighting. I want to train them not only to be good fighters but also to be good men. Other notable achievements Russian Championship 2008 – 2nd Russian Championship 2007 – 2nd Russian Championship 2005, 2004 – 1st World Cup Kyokushin 2004 – 1st Open Europe Kyokushinkai 2006 – 2nd Open Europe Kyokushinkai 2007 – 1st North-West Russian Championship 2007 – 1st Open Moscow Championship 2005 – 1st
How was it when you went home to Russia as a World Champion and how did it change your life? When I arrived home, my family and friends met me. They gave a party in my honour and said a lot of touching words. My life absolutely changed. People started to invite me to contests and awards, I had interviews on radio stations and TV, I started traveling a lot. I met many interesting people, not only from the world of fighting. I had new students in my school, and those who had trained a lot and won one contest after another. Are you still fighting and practising Kyokushin these days? After the World Championship I took part in many competitions. It’s worth mentioning the European Championship where I came first. Then, I decided to leave. My performance finished with Alexander Pogorelov, 4th division kick-boxing and Thai
Roman (r) and Max Dedik
Max Dedik - Middleweight World Champion IFK World Tournament 2002
Country: Russia - Grade: 3rd Dan - Dojo: Fight Baza State University of Sport. That’s why I was fresh, ready and highly motivated. What was the atmosphere like on the day and how did it make you feel on and off of the mat. I had a sense, something was in the air. Stream... and I started to win. What were your experiences/feelings about this event on the day? It seemed to me that I had seen this before but it was still a bit intimidating.
Other notable achievements Moscow Championships in 1995, 1999 1st IFK Russian Championships in 2000, 02, 03 1st 2nd IFK Transarctic Open – 2003 2nd IFK Championship of Europe - 2001 1st IFK World Championships - 2002 1st BKK British Open - 2002 1st IKO 36th All Japan - 2004 4th IKO 3rd World Weight Category Championships - 2005 2nd 4 wins at professional K-1 Kickboxing
Can you explain how it felt to become a World Champion? It means to learn that YOU CAN because you exist and this is possible! Moreover this happened! Something mysterious and historical within one human life . I must confess that was the happiest day of my life. Even now I think so. At least it was an awesome day. How was it when you went home to Russia as a World Champion and how did it change your life? Everyone congratulated me. I have changed myself. Of course, there has been no dramatic change outside. The fruit of that win is understanding that I have done it and there is nothing impossible. You can reach any goal if you believe, work hard and do your best! Don’t give up, don’t quit and you will win. This simple idea has had a great impact on my life. I can change myself (if I want to move on I must change myself and I can ...) How was your preparation for the 2002 World Tournament and does it differ from how you prepare nowadays for tournaments? I have not taken part in the tournaments recently. I am now a Coach, Sensei and a Teacher. I can tell you that I prepared very well for the World Karate Championship in 2005. My teacher was Vsevolod Minkov, he has known me for many years and has a deep understanding of how I am as a fighter and he knows my personality. I had intense training sessions and became more experienced and ready to beat some of the top fighters . You became Male middleweight Champion in 2002 at the 2nd IFK World Tournament. Please tell us about you fights. I was already a champion of middleweight (up to 80 kg) which I gained at the World Championship of Karate 2002 in Madrid . I was in the best shape and a much improved fighter than I had been before . I was ready to reach the top and did! However there was a serious enemy, the main enemy of many sportsmen... Anxiety! What if I fail . I had no doubt that I was well-rounded with the most powerful takedown but the sense that something could go wrong made me feel nervous. Then when I went into the fight, everything changed. A fight always keeps me charged, focused and turns off any of my feelings except one… my desire to fight, my desire to win. We trained using the incredibly modern techniques which I had learnt being a student of the Russian
Are you still fighting and practicing Kyokushin these days? Recently I passed an exam and got third grade... It was fun and interesting and I was fighting like younger fighters. About fights? I finished my career as a fighter after I was seriously injured during a professional fight . My opponent was 9 kg heavier than me and broke my arm with his leg. After that moment I did not fight again, instead I have been teaching and preparing fighters. Since then what tournaments have you been in and how have you done? I left for the IKO and became fourth among the best fighters at the Karate Championship in Japan in 2004 and second at the World Championship of Karate . I also took part in professional Kickboxing (K1). I won 4 of the 5 fights ( 2 wins in Japan) . During the last one I hurt my arm so badly that my sports career as a fighter was over. What are your hopes for your future and the future of Kyokushin ? I think Kyokushinkaikan has a great future as a teaching center of martial art . This is the best way to grow and educate children and youth. I also would like karate fighters to become the world’s top pound for pound . We have deep determination to maintain the right way of Martial Arts . People should know about it . This is my way to go further!
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Darren Stringer - Mens Lightweight 3rd IFK World Tournament 2005
Country: Great Britain - Grade: 3rd Dan - Dojo: BKK Crawley Can you explain how it felt to place in an IFK World Tournament, but also I guess the disappointment knowing you were only 1 fight away from being crowned World Champion. As mentioned above, it’s probably my most valued trophy. I’ve won other WTs in other organisations and been placed. As the IFK is my organisation it’s the tournament that I’d most like to win – obviously. Not sure how many more attempts I will have in IFK WTs, so hopefully this one goes well. It is disappointing not winning, as it always is. The field was a good one, all the people I fought were of a good standard. Salva in the first was a previous Spanish Champion, as Dzagniga was the current Russian Champ I believe at the time and Zelenko was a rated fighter in his organisation .
How was your preparation for the 2005 World Tournament and how does it differ from your preparation nowadays for tournaments? My tournament preparation is not really much different. I would just say that there are not as many full time people training as much as back then, I had the likes of Chris Seal and Wai Chueng coming down to regularly train on Saturdays. I think the sessions were harder then as well as in more pads and things have changed since then. We also have a lot of new people coming through so we don’t necessarily have the full on sessions there used to be as a result of the new people trying to get to grips with things. Which it is, of course, essential for them to learn. My actual training on my own is much the same then as it is now. Again I used to train with a couple of chosen people who no longer train with me. I also change around various exercises but the majority of my work remains the same. You came 3rd in the Lightweight division in 2005. If you can remember, please talk us through your fights and your semi-final with Dzaganiga of Russia. To be honest the day wasn’t very clear due to my father passing away a few weeks beforehand. It was a tough time. Because of that it’s probably my most prized trophy, given the factors involved. I don’t think I was ever in trouble in the tournament and wasn’t hurt. I think the Russian just put in a little bit of a burst towards the end of the round and got the decision (I believe it was decision I lost on and not boards like normal) What was the atmosphere like on the day and how did it make you feel on and off of the mat. The atmosphere was great, Crystal Palace was a great venue for competitions especially when its been full – and it was on the day. It was of course fantastic when I knocked out the Russian fighter in the quarters. Its great to be appreciated at any tournament, but on a big stage it magnifies. It would be great if we can replicate/ improve the tournament this time around. Which im confident will happen.
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I was also disappointed not to have fought the eventual Champion, Roman Uzynian, who at the time was ranked number one in the world, and was on a very impressive run of seven straight wins in tournaments and a second place in the Russian Open – losing through injury I believe. It would have been a good experience.
on the future ten or so years in British knockdown. I’d like the BKK to improve its numbers and membership and would like to help promote this somehow and improve our current situation of 2000 members or so that we have. Perhaps out of Kyokushin I’ll concentrate more on a career rather than putting every spare minute into training and fighting. Obviously my family is important now so it would be good to go on a holiday for once. Other notable achievements: BKK British Open 2008 - 1st BKK British Open 2004 - 1st IFK World Tournament 2005 - 3rd IKO3 World tournament 2006 - 1st All World Tournament 2009 - top 8 Yamburg Invitational 2008 - 3rd IKO3 World tournament 2010 - 2nd Rengokai European Championships 2011 - 1st 1st Kuwait International 2012 - 1st
How did this tournament that was such a high standard of fighting help your preparation mentally and physically for all tournaments after? I think like any tournament you look to learn, and improve for the future. Obviously with the magnitude of such big events you train for longer periods of time to ensure you are at peak fitness on the day. Hopefully my previous events hold me in good stead for tournaments of knowing what to do, when to train hard when to rest. I guess wanting to always win will always make you determined to train and push yourself, of course the fear of getting hurt if you’re under prepared, especially in big competitions where you know the opposition is going to be of a high standard you can’t afford to be short of the mark in preparation terms. If you fail to prepare then you must be prepared to fail. Are you still fighting and practising Kyokushin today and what are your plans for the future in and out of the sport? I am still currently fighting and practising Kyokushin and hope to be for the foreseeable future – although there will come a time when I will have to stop fighting like every athelete. I hope to keep on fighting and performing well, but with costs and little funding it’s difficult to be able to fight as much as I would like. I really want to fight in Japan a few more times as well. It was a great life achievement to fight there in an open weight tournament last year and I look forward to doing it again. In the future I hope to be able to pass on things and help younger fighters develop and to coach. As I truly hope that the young fighters coming through can perhaps regain some numbers back, as in the last few years we have been low on Knockdown fighters, but potentially have a good few coming through to make a good mark
Stringer defeats Russian opponant
Above Lightweight Podium 2005
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Darren Chan - Mens Lightweight 3rd IFK World Tournament 2002
Country: Great Britain - Grade: 1st Dan - Dojo: BKK Bethnal Green The day of the tournament arrived, I was nervous yet excited. When I get the butterfly feeling, I love it, makes me buzz!! Before I knew it the walk on was done and I was up… First fight, Peter Vermaire of Holland. I know Peter very well now, but didn’t then. I remember him being fast and strong, he came on strong straight from the get go. It was a draw after the first round. I think I was a little flustered with the big day. Noddy however brought be back down to earth with let’s just say some colourful language and advice, something I have always responded to with Noddy. I came back out strong for the second round, set on knocking him out or driving him off the mat. I caught him with a number of combinations, Ushiro Geri, Ushiro Mawashi Geri all landing and was awarded four flags at the end of the round. I would like to say hello to Peter and thank him for really going for it that day. We have become really good friends since. How was your preparation for the 2002 World Tournament and does it differ from how you prepare nowadays for tournaments? I spent the whole of 2002 preparing for the World Tournament. I was working as a Personal Trainer and my boss was also the main sponsor of the Great Britain team (Dan Decciao at Pulse Fitness). He let me have all the time off I needed to train and also helped me to train. One of the main things that I did extra to my normal preparation was swimming. I would meet Dan Monday to Friday at 6am and do an hour’s worth of swimming, this I found to be one of the best forms of aerobic/anaerobic fitness. Every lunch time I would also have Strength & Conditioning. My evenings would be spent under the tutelage of Shihan Graham “Noddy” Warden at Bethnal Green Dojo. For those who know and have heard about Bethnal Green, training isn’t for the faint hearted, Noddy and Shihan Nick da Costa were the Great Britain Team coaches, so most if not all of the Squad trained at Bethnal Green. We really gave our all and Noddy gave us his. We would also train on Saturdays and Sundays in Victoria Park. We sparred so so hard that by the time the tournament was upon us, I was ready physically , and the way Noddy can make you feel, I was ready mentally for anything. Thank you to Noddy for his guidance and support and to my team mates that trained at Bethnal Green, Kenny Jarvis, Wai Cheung, Malcolm Scott, Paul Travers, Lee Warden, Kelly Balmer, Holly and Lee Oneil and not forgetting Satti. Thanks for the hard sparring the camaraderie and the family feeling we had. Damn, I miss those days!!! I would just like to add, there is a reputation at Bethnal Green, but don’t let this put you off, once you commit and give your absolute all in training, Noddy will go above and beyond and really looks after his karateka like a family and really does care for you through all the hard times on and off the mat. You came 3rd in the Lightweight division in 2002. If you can remember please talk us through your fights and your semi-final with Lukjanov of Russia.
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semi-finals of the World Tournament. Semi Final time with Lukjanov of Russia. We had broken boards before this and I had injured my elbow hitting the boards and as a result it swelled up and I couldn’t bend my arm… But I was in the semis at a World Tournament. I had to go and see if I could catch him before he caught me on the arm. I remember vividly being really high on the tatami flooring and Noddy seemed miles away when he said “you know what you have to do”. I came out as strong as I could. I had fought him in the British Open in 1999 and in that fight I went two rounds with him. At the end of the second round I caught him with a Jodan and he stumbled and I managed to shock him and as he moved backwards he punched me in the face and dislocated my jaw and he was disqualified. So I knew the Russian well, as the fight moved on in the first round it dawned on me quickly that because of the hard sparring and training sessions at Bethnal Green and the three years of experience I had gained since I last fought him, I found him totally different and not as strong. Unfortunately he caught me with two punches and a Chudan kick. Stupidly I blocked my ribs with my arm and he hit my elbow, the pain was so intense I was unable to carry on and a Wasari was awarded. The nice thing was that after the fight he came up to me with the Russian doctor and said they really respected me for fighting as they knew I was injured but I still fought. 3rd in the World!
Chan v Peter Vermaire
Next up, Tsaousidis of Australia. This fighter had trained at our dojo a few times, so I had the opportunity to see him previous to the fight. I remember dancing around the mat, picking my shots and trying to make him miss so I could counter. The fight was halted at one point, and whilst I was walking back to my line I caught a glimpse of my old coach Rick McElroy (who had trained me since I was 4 years old till I was 19) and he said “be the difference”, that was his code for change it up, shock him and surprise him. With these words along with Noddy’s advice I went back and Wasari by Jodan Mawashi, a few seconds later I did it again and a full Ippon was given sending me through to the quarter finals. Next up was Manzoor of Pakistan. Wow this was a tough tough fighter. I had seen him in earlier rounds punching holes in his opponents and stopping them with a work rate of a Duracel Bunny. He wouldn’t stop. Noddy’s advice “Dal, fighters’ hearts are in their legs, smash his legs!!!” that’s all I needed, fighting fire with fire. My confidence was growing and growing and with two fighters already beaten I wasn’t prepared to let anyone stand in my way, which included this man. He fought hard. In the first round I hit him with low kicks and knees and he kept coming, I punched him and threw Jodans, but he still kept coming. However I wasn’t backing down either and kept going for him. By the third round his legs were slowing him down and his inside front leg had gone so pressed on with the game plan, kicking his legs from under him. This proved successful as I gained four flags and a place in the
What was the atmosphere like on the day and how did it make you feel on and off of the mat. The atmosphere at the start of the day was very loud from the Great Britain supporters. A lot had travelled to support us, they were fantastic, so a big thank you to them. By the evening the crowd was massive and being in Valencia there was a lot of home support. I just remember after the Semi Final looking at my dad as, before he became ill, he would travel all over the world to watch me fight. He was and still is my biggest supporter. I remember not only my coach, my team and myself being proud but also wanting my Dad to be. Karate has definitely brought him and me closer, as he loves martial arts but never got the chance to do it. We have an interesting relationship, we are very similar and tend to annoy each other, but come tournament days he has been my best supporter and always will be. He used to take me to the British Open when I was a kid in the early 1990s and now I’m fighting on the world stage, something I told him back then I dreamed of doing. It was him that got me into Karate, he used to work all day and then would drive me every night and sit in a cold sports hall eating his dinner (normally cold sandwiches) whilst I trained, giving up his social life as such so I could have one. Thanks for everything Dad, for helping shape the man and the Karateka I am today. When I received the trophy, I heard Noddy say “that’s not the end son, just the beginning”. I hope he was proud. I gave the trophy to my dad and he didn’t have to say anything for the smile on his face and the tears in his eyes said everything I needed to know. I get the same feeling writing this and thinking back to that moment. He held
bundle that day. It also made me more determined to get more out of Knockdown and Karate in general. As I mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t enter a tournament unless you’re aiming for number one, but I understand that people enter to just gain experience and the mind-set should always be that of a winner, whatever the level. Are you still fighting and practising Kyokushin today and what are your plans for the future in and out of the sport? Darren Chan & Chan Senior.
the trophy all night, never putting it down, and as I had to get my elbow looked at at the hospital, when I returned he had filled it with champagne and was still carrying it around all night at and after the party. Can you explain how it felt to place in an IFK World Tournament, but also I guess the disappointment knowing you were only one fight away from being crowned World Champion. First, I was so upset coming off the mat, Noddy said “Well tried, but it just wasn’t your day”. Wai Cheung came over as my head was low and for a split second I was lost in the grand scale of things, Wai hugged me and said “do you realise what you have just achieved”. That’s what a team mate is for and I will always remember that moment with Wai. I burst in to tears after that, the emotion, the pain and the thought that I was so close to the final and maybe being crowned World Champion. Wai took me to the British Supporters and they all gave me the biggest cheer, Terry from Crystal Palace said “don’t even or ever be down about what you have just done and achieved”. Wai looked after me for an hour and I will always remember and love him for that. My team mates were amazing. It didn’t really dawn on me until the Sayonara Party really what I had achieved. I’m happy with myself but the perfectionist in me wanted number one and I hadn’t spent all year training to become number three! I always think, if you enter a tournament to be number three, you shouldn’t be in the tournament in the first place. Mentally its number one or nothing , but that’s just me. I must say a massive thank you to Jose Maria Galdon Estefano for really taking care of me and taking me to the hospital to have my elbow checked. He sat with me for three hours and at the time I didn’t know him, so to do something like that for a stranger shows the character of that man and we have been close friends since. A thank you to Miguel Fernandez who had come third in the Heavyweights but also sat with me in the hospital translating for me instead of enjoying his moment at the sayonara party.
I’m still fighting in Kyokushin and I have also fought in Full Contact Kickboxing and K-1 picking titles up along the way. Its simple really, my plan is to try and compete in all I can and win as much as I can. I now have a family and a son that keep me grounded and I have good friends that support me, but no matter what happens I love to fight and I love my Kyokushin Karate. I would also in the future like to take on a coaching role and assist the BKK/IFK with the up and coming talent of Karateka. P.S I know I haven’t mentioned some people that have helped me along the way but a big thank you to everyone, you know who you are.
Lightweight Podium 2002
Other notable achievements: 1999, 2004, 2009 BKK British Open 3rd (2009 Fastest Knockout) 2000, Welsh MOKKO 2nd and Best Technician 2001, 2011 BKK Regional 1st (LW/MW) 2002 World Tournament 3rd (Lightweight) 2002, 2003, 2005 BKK Regional 3rd 2003, NKA Dutch Open 1st (Lightweight) 2004, Diamond Cup 3rd 2005, IFK Spanish Open 3rd (Lightweight) 2006, Shinkyokushin French Open 1st and Fastest Knockout (Lightweight) 2007, BKK Regional 2nd (Middleweight) 2008, BKK Regional 3rd (Middleweight) 2008 NKA Dutch Open 3rd & Spirit Of Shihan Ruburg/Best Technician (Middleweight) 2009, Shinkyokushin Dutch Open 2nd 2010, Matsushima World Tournament last 32 2013, KSK Scottish Open 1st (Middleweight) World Tournament Squad Member 2002, 05, 13
Great Britain placed fighters 2002, Travers, Fernandez & Chan
Finally a massive thank you to the Babiloni family and to all of IFK Spain, who I have the utmost respect for, and all my Spanish Karateka family. Javier Babiloni was a hero of mine when I watched him fight in the British Open in the 1990s. How did this tournament that was such a high standard of fighting help your preparation mentally and physically for all tournaments after? The experience I gained was in invaluable, both the training for the year, the scale of the tournament and the fights themselves. It gave me a higher understanding and experience to draw on. Noddy always said, he can give you the fitness but only you can get the experience, I got a
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Stefan Hofer - Mens Middleweight 3rd IFK World Tournament 2002
Country: Switzerland - Grade: 3rd Dan - Dojo: Anglikon Swiss He’s a good fighter. I think this fight was won on an Ippon, I’m not sure anymore. Y.Gallipeau from Canada, I did not know, only that he had good footwork. This fight was won on a Judges’ decision. The Russian, Appaev, I knew, we fought in the European Championships in Berlin in 2001 in the semi-final against each other, where I won by an Ippon and then Max Dedik from Russia in the final. Appaev is a very good fighter. He has very strong hand and leg techniques. This time I lost on a Judges’ decision. What was the atmosphere like on the day and how did it make you feel on and off of the mat?
How was your preparation for the 2002 World Tournament and does it differ from how you prepare nowadays for tournaments? It was about three months before the World Cup and, for nearly two months with two other friends, I trained in Japan in preparation. We were in Shibuya and could train with Sensei Tsukamoto Norichika and his students who were training for the All Japan. It was incredible and very impressive, we learnt so many new things. There was no comparison, it was another world – the training and the movements, some of which still remain with me and are used in our training today. Norichika Tsukamoto Sensei is a great fighter, wonderful teacher and a great friend. It was a memorable time... You came 3rd in the Middleweight division in 2002 if you can remember please talk us through your fights and your semi-final with Appaev of Russia. S.Vermelen from Belgium is a good friend of mine, we have fought against each other many times.
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The atmosphere was great, the people cheered for you. I felt good that day, I remember thinking today is a good day. Even whilst fighting I felt strong. On the mat I tried to forget everything else and focus only on the fight and coach. To be strong and no pain Can you explain how it felt to place in an IFK World Tournament, but also I guess the disappointment knowing you were only 1 fight away from being crowned World Champion. It was a great feeling. All the pressure had gone, the entire preparation had been worth it, all the pain and torment. People came and wished me all the best and to succeed, wanted to take pictures and have them signed. That was a great feeling. On the other hand, I was very disappointed that I hadn’t given more which may have enabled me reach the finals. How did this tournament that was such a high standard of fighting help your preparation mentally and physically for all tournaments after? It is clear that the level is getting higher. I think it is important to train not only in Kyokushin but also other martial arts. You can always learn something new for the Kyokushin Fighting. I also
train in Thai Boxing and MMA. You have to be open to everything new. You have to torture yourself, this is important. Are you still fighting and practising Kyokushin today and what are your plans for the future in and out of the sport? I still fight and practice Kyokushin. I hope I will be able to fight for a further few years, it really depends on how my operated knee stands up to it. Further on, I would like to work more as a coach. I hope I will be able inspire the younger generation of students in the kyokushin Way. Other notable achievements 12 times Swiss Champion European Championship 2001 - 2nd World Cup 2002 - 3rd Belgian Open 2004 - 3rd Valencia Open 2004 - 2nd Russina Open 2008 - 3rd wedish Open 2008 - 1st Holland Open 2011 - 2nd Swiss Open 2012 - 2nd
Paul Travers - Mens Heavyweight 2nd IFK World Tournament 2005 & 2002
Country: Great Britain - Grade: 3rd Dan - Dojo: BKK Kokoro one minute in. 2 flags to me but a draw was given. A very similar second round and the same result, 2 flags to me but another draw so I won on weight.
In Spain there wasn’t as big a crowd and it was quite quiet to start with, which didn’t help my nerves but still a good atmosphere when on the mat.
The final against Igor Peplov (Russia. As expected, Igor was very aggressive from the start and I tried to fight the same as in the quarter final but got caught with a succession of chudan mawashis which gave Igor a wazari. I tried to get the score back till the end of the round but to no avail and Igor was the champion.
2005 at Palace was amazing, even when we were lining up to come on at the back it brought a tingle to your spine. Walking to the mat for the final and the crowd’s reaction through the fight and at the end was just amazing and something I will never, ever forget.
2005 First Round, Anthony Klien (Holland) I had seen him fight many times so knewhat to expect. A very nervy/rusty first round which was a draw. Second Round - knowing I would win on weight, I just stayed out of trouble and picked him off.
How was your preparation for the 2005 World Tournament and did it differ from how you prepared for 2002? It started as normal 12 weeks before the tournament but I significantly changed what I crammed in. I always tried to tick over between tournaments so you start your training with a high level of fitness. Being a light HW (82 kg’s) and knowing that the Russian fighters weremy biggest threat (at that time) I wanted to concentrate more on stamina and conditioning. A lot of my sessions at Kokoro were based around continuous sparring with different fresh opponents, coupled with Shihan’s lung busting kihon, kata and bag work. I trained at Bethnal Green with Shihan Noddy and most of the British squad. The punishing bag work and numerous beatings were character building to say the least! Shihan David Pickthall took his usual squads and Saturday sessions, so I had a broad spectrum of training.
Quarter Finals Sergi Melyu (Russia). A lot heavier but one of my sort of fights... toe to toe for four minutes. Won on weight by 10kgs. Semi Final and Anzor Shikhabakhov (Russia) again! - Probably the favourite for the title that day and looked on fire all day. He hadn’t fought for more than 30 seconds winning with KOs on his previous three fights. I knew what to expect and used the same tactics as Spain. A draw was given. In the second round he strangely changed his aggressive tactics and it was easier for me to soak up and counter. Another win on weight by 13kgs. Final time... Timur Gatashev (Russia). Knowing that the usual Russian first round onslaught was coming, I just had to contain him and hang on until the second round when I hoped we would be more even. All my attacks seemed to bounce off Timur and in round three he was given a wazari after I stumbled and tripped over after a hiza geri. I gave my all in the time left but it was too late. Timur was a very worthy World Champion.
You came 2nd in the Heavyweight division in 2002 and 2005. If you can remember, please talk us through your fights including your 2002 Final with Peplov of Russia and 2005 final against Gatashev of Russia
Semi final against Haris Reiz (Switzerland) - Reiz again was a lot bigger and took the fight to me knowing the weight difference. My lowkicks were very effective and I was unlucky not to score
Can you explain how it felt to place in not one but two IFK World Tournaments, and the disappointment knowing you were only the final fight away from being crowned World Champion. I have no disappointment at not being World Champion. In each Tournament I fought to my full potential and each time was beaten by the better fighter. To represent the BKK and place in both Tournaments was a true honour and I have many people to thank for that: Hanshi Steve Arneil for his tireless efforts within the BKK and IFK. Shihan Liam Keaveney for his time, patience and support. All the students of Kokoro Dojo whose training was sacrificed for my benefit. Shihan Noddy for toughening me up and well, for being Noddy! All the students of Bethnal Green... ouch! Shihan David Pickthall, Sensei Dave Jones, Shihan Terry Prescott and Shihan Nick da Costa for sharing their time, experience and advice. Finally, my wife Vicky for her patience, understanding and belief. You retired from knowdown in 2005 after the World Tournament. Was this always your plan from the start and do you not miss the fighting and competiveness nowadays? It was always in my mind to retire after the WT, unless I had a bad day! Reaching the final again, the standing ovation at Palace and winning Spirited Fighter, there was no better way to bow out.
2002 - I had a bye in the first round. Quarter finals - I would fight the winner of Lee O’neill v Anzor Shikhabakhov (Russia). Anzor looked awesome and defeated Lee comfortably in two minutes which was very hard to watch, being my training partner and very good friend. Knowing that Anzor would try and win in the same way, I tried to keep close and smother the constant pressure in the first round. I scrapped a draw and in the second round he tired so we had an even fight which again went to a draw. I was 10 kgs lighter so won on weight.
I learned a lot of lessons from 2002. Mainly that the Russian teams had huge competition for squad places. In each category they had 10 Peplovs or Gatashevs all going for one place. I knew I had to change my attitude, desire and the way I trained to succeed.
I do miss the fighting and the camaraderie of the squad sessions, the tournament nerves and the buzz of being on the mat. I don’t miss the 6 day a week training and constantly nursing the bruises!
Paul Travers v Anzor Shikhabakhov
What was the atmosphere like on both the days and how did it make you feel on and off the mat. Did it make it easier in 2005 from what you had learned in the 2002 World Tournament?
Are you still practising Kyokushin in all forms today and what are your plans for the future in and out of the sport? I still train with Shihan Liam at Kokoro and assist him with training at all levels. I support the BKK and IFK at National and
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International level as a referee in Kata and Knockdown. I hope at some point to be involved with the knockdown fighters of the future. There is a huge amount of talent coming through and, although some tournaments are poorly attended, the future looks very exciting. My advice for anyone wishing to try knockdown: You only get out, what you put in. Train with as many different people as possible, the BKK and IFK is full of talent and experience. Listen to your body and don’t compound injuries. Courage equal to desire. The spirit of OSU Other notable achievements: IFK 3rd World Tournament 2005 - 2nd & Spirited Fighter BKK Regional 2005 - 1st BKK British Open 2004 - 2nd BKK Regional 2004 - 1st IFK Valencia Cup 2004 - 3rd BKK British Open 2003 - 3rd IFK 2nd World Tournament 2002 - 2nd BKK Regional 2002 - 2nd
Sensei Paul Travers, Shihan Masuda & Shihan Liam at the 2012 Shihan Masuda Seminar.
Kokoro
“Right mind, right heart, right spirit”
Liam Keaveney (7th Dan) Paul Travers (3rd Dan) Dojo: Bishops House, Windhill, Bishops Stortford, Herts CM23 2NF Monday and Wednesday 18.00 to 21.00 T: 01245 256891 E: liam.keaveney@btinternet.com
Proud to support the British Karate Kyokushinkai & The International Federation Of Karate 040
Mark Goodwin - Mens Lightweight 3rd IFK World Tournament 2005
Country: Great Britain - Grade: 3rd Dan - Dojo: BKK Rhondda The semi-final against Roman was very tough. I had already seen him take out Kenny Mortin with two wazaris and knew that Kenny was hard to hurt, so I was very apprehensive. When the fight started I couldn’t quite believe how hard Roman was hitting! He was very sharp and very strong. I managed to weather the storm and get to the end of the first round for a draw. In the first extension I started to use my low kicks a bit more and started to push him back slightly. By that stage I had started to get used to his power so it wasn’t so much of an issue. I knew there wasn’t much time remaining and also knew that if it went to a draw then again I would win on boards, so I guess I must have started to relax – big mistake! With about 20 seconds or so left Roman disguised a rolling kick which caught be behind the ear and knocked me out! I’d been caught in the head during several fights over the years but this was the only time I was ever KO’d. How was your preparation for the 2005 World Tournament and how does it differ from your preparation for tournaments nowadays? I retired from competition after the 2005 WT (pre-scheduled) as a result of long-term injuries that had built up, so I no longer compete. I had a pretty standard tournament preparation schedule by this time, which was 9-10 sessions per week for 10-12 weeks. I guess the main difference for the 3rd WT was the increased attention from the fact that this was a British team competing on home soil and also the build up was longer – with a number of squads training well before the actual tournament. This meant that a generally high level of fitness was needed to be maintained for a longer period. You came 3rd in the Lightweight division in 2005. If you can remember, please talk us through your fights and your semi-final with Uzunyan of Russia. I found my first two fights fairly comfortable if I’m honest. The only real difficulty was a black eye that I sustained when Burri elbowed me in the head during an attempted ushiro mawashi geri. My quarter final with Dzhafarov was quite tight. However, I expected this to be the case and knew I had broken one more board so had planned to just contain him to the weight/board decision.
GB Team with trophys 2005
What was the atmosphere like on the day and how did it make you feel on and off the mat? I thought the atmosphere was truly electric!! As Crystal Palace was completely packed there was such huge support, particularly for the British team which really helped. They did give us all such a lift, so thanks very much for that! Can you explain how it felt to place in an IFK World Tournament, and also I guess the disappointment knowing you were only one fight away from being crowned World Champion. It’s always good to place in a tournament, as you get something to show for your efforts. However, I was absolutely gutted to lose being so close to the final – particularly getting KO’d for the first time ever and this being my last fight. If I’d been smashed out of sight by Roman it would have been easier to take, but the fact that I was starting to feel comfortable and had one eye on the final was difficult. How did this tournament that was such a high standard of fighting help your preparation mentally and physically for all tournaments after? As I said, this was my final fight so that didn’t apply so much. However, it did give me an insight and served as a reminder for me to pass onto other fighters in terms of coaching and about never letting your guard down.
Are you still fighting and practising Kyokushin today and what are your plans for the future in and out of the sport? Due to a variety of reasons I’m not as active as I used to be. However, I am endeavouring to try and help out and train the active fighters as much as I can – particularly locally in Wales. Other notable achievements: 7th World Tournament 1999 - Top 32 6th World Tournament 1996 - 2nd Round 3rd IFK World Championships 2005 - 3rd European Championships 1995 - 3rd European Championships 1999 - 3rd European Championships 2003 - 3rd IFK/WKO Belgium Diamond Cup 2004 – 1st BKK British Open 2003 – 2nd BKK British Regional (Welsh, English and Scottish hosted) tournaments 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2003, 2005 – 1st IFK Spanish Open 2004 – 3rd French Open 1997 – 3rd
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1934
Born 29 August 1934 in Krugersdorp, Transvaal, South Africa.
1944
Moved to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and he began training in Judo.
1949 1950
Hanshi Steve Arneil timeline
Aged 16, selected to represent Northern Rhodesia in Rugby. At the age of 17, Arneil had earned black belt status in Judo, and he had also practised Kenpo and Karate.
1959
In 1959, Arneil left South Africa, bound for Southeast Asia.
1961
In January 1961, Arneil began to study Kyokushin Karate under Masutatsu Oyama.
1962 1963 1964
1965
Promoted to the rank of 1st dan in Kyokushin karate on 15 May 1962. Attained 2nd dan on 16 April 1963. Marries Tsuyuko Arneil
On 22 May 1965, Arneil became the first person to complete the 100-man kumite after Oyama himself. On 10 July 1965, Arneil was promoted to 3rd dan
1966
Sensei Arneil and his wife travell to London in 1965 In late 1965, Arneil and Bob Boulton founded the British Karate Kyokushinkai (BKK) organisation.
1968 The BKK’s first full-time dojo was opened in Stratford, east London. In May 1966, Arneil received promotion to the rank of 4th dan. In 1968, becomes the Team Manager and Coach for the All Styles English and British Karate team. Arneil was promoted to 5th dan on 15 January 1968
1974 1975
Arneil was promoted to 6th dan on 7 October 1974 1975/76, became the first non-Japanese Coach & team to win the Karate World Championship In 1975, the French Karate Federation awarded him the title of “World’s Best Coach”.
1977
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On 6 August 1977, Arneil was promoted to the rank of 7th dan in Kyokushin karate
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Celebrating over 40 years of printing in Cwmbran
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Arneil and the BKK resign from the IKO The British karate community awarded Arneil the rank of 8th dan for his services to karate in the UKand Arneil founds his own karate organisation, the IFK.
1st IFK European Championships held in Wales
1st IFK World Kata Championships held in Switzerland 2nd IFK European Championships held in Spain
1st IFK Senior World Tournament held in Russia
1991 1992 1995 1999 1999 2002
3rd IFK European Championships held in Berlin On 26 May 2001, IFK country representatives awarded him the rank of 9th dan in Berlin 2nd IFK Senior World Tournament held in Spain
2nd IFK World Kata Championships held in Poland
3rd IFK Senior World Tournament held in the UK
4th IFK European Championships held in Russia
Hanshi Arneil sends an IFK Team for 2nd IFKK Kyokushinkan All Kyokushinkan World Tournament in Budapest.
3rd IFK World Kata Championships held in Switzerland On 23 July 2011, Arneil was awarded 10th Dan by the IFK
2001 2002
2003 2005
2007 2007
2010 2011
3rd IFK Junior & Cadet World Tournament held in the UK
On October, 12th, 2011 Hanshi Arneil becomes one of the co-founders of the Kyokushin World Union
4th IFK Senior & Cadet World Tournament held in the UK
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2013
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Sosai Masutatsu Oyama 1923 - 1994
Report by Shihan Liam Keaveney (7th Dan) MASUTATSU OYAMA 1923 - 1994 It is now almost 20 years since the death of Masutatsu Oyama and as the International Federation of Karate celebrate its 4th World Tournament it is fitting that we, in the pages of our magazine, record the achievements of probably the greatest karateka of the latter part of the twentieth century. I hope, as we host our 4th IFK World Tournament we can, in part, celebrate the achievements of a man who for all his life was dedicated in promoting Budo Karate. To attempt to do justice to his achievements, in karate terms, would not be possible within the limitations and size of our magazine – but what I will attempt to do is summarise and comment on the man’s life and driving force since the 1950’s.
The Beginning The measure of an individual within martial arts today can be fairly quickly summarised. In our field we are surrounded, if not smothered, by self appointed innovators and experts – open the pages of any martial arts magazine and you will discover a multitude of newly founded styles and systems that appear on a regular basis. Without change and individual thought our progress would be slow. I read the following passage recently “Time will define the innovations and experts, will their views and theories stand the rest of practicality and the passing of years?” How true this is – and certainly this is true of Masutatsu Oyama and his style of karate “Kyokushinkai”. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Masutatsu Oyama was indeed the renegade of Japanese karate. He refused to accept certain dogmas. He set out to change the system from within by the formation of his own system of karate. His attitude and outspoken character to this day is, if not agreed with, is respected. In the past 40 years he built a strong and powerful world organisation under one leader with countless practitioners in nearly every country in the world. His teachings and philosophy, in the sphere of budo karate, have been a positive inspiration to uncountable karateka. I only met the man briefly a couple of times and trained with him for a short time, as a Branch Chief with other representatives, at
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a course in Mitsume in 1987 - therefore, I have had to rely on the personal knowledge of such people as Hanshi Steve Arneil (9th Dan), who was a student, friend and advisor to Masutatsu Oyama since the 1960’s. I am indebted to Cameron Quinn’s book “The Budo Karate of Masutatsu Oyama” which was an unrivalled source of information and I have quoted from this book extensively. Miyamoto Musashi At some time or other we all look for encouragement and many individuals, one way or another, influence our actions and thoughts. Masutatsu Oyama was no different, he sought inspiration from the books of the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Throughout his life Masutatsu Oyama followed closely the example set by Musashi. Masutatsu Oyama first went into the mountains in 1946 after meeting Eiji Yoshikawa who was the author of the novel Musashi. From this book Masutatsu Oyama learnt much of the way of the Samurai or Bushido. Prior to his meeting with Yoshikawa, Masutatsu Oyama was also influenced by So Nei Chu. So Nei Chu was one of the highest authorities of Goju Karate in Japan. Not only was he renowned and respected for his physical ability but also for his spiritual teaching. He was also a follower of both Buddhism and the Martial Way and accordingly taught Masutatsu Oyama “the inseparability of Budo and the spiritual foundation of religion”. The advice given by So Nei Chu is well chronicled but worth repeating here. ”You had better withdraw from the world. Seek solace in nature. Retreat to some lone mountain hide-out to train your mind and body. In three years you will gain something immeasurable. As the proverb goes, “Temper the heated iron before it gets cold”, so train yourself in self discipline before you grow older if you wish to be a great man.”
The Young Oyama However, the start of his famous life began 23 years earlier in 1923 in Korea. Masutatsu Oyama was the last child of a large family. Two years later he was sent to live on his sister’s farm in Manchuria. It is believed that it was here he began his first martial arts training at the age of 9, learning Southern Chinese Kempo. Masutatsu Oyama returned to Korea five years later and entered school in Seoul and continued his training this time in Korean Kempo. In 1938 he travelled to Japan and entered the Yamanashi Airways School to train to become a pilot. However, due to his age and other external forces he was forced to abandon this venture. He recalls “I could not
become a pilot but I felt there must be some other way to succeed. I will find success in some other field of study. I made a firm resolution to prove my worth and swore to withstand the cold rejection I met as a foreigner”. Luckily Masutatsu Oyama did not abandon his search and teaching of the martial arts. Amongst other things he studied Judo and boxing but was to be influenced greatly by a man called Gichin Funakoshi, one of the first three people to bring Okinawan Karate to Japan. He met Funakoshi at Takushoku University. Masutatsu Oyama did not look any further and began his training with Funakoshi – he made rapid progress, graded 2nd Dan within two years at the age of 17, three years later at 20 he was graded 4th Dan. Other Martial Arts Having gained 4th Dan he renewed his interest in Judo once more and continued his training at the Sone Dojo at Kasagaya, Tokyo. He trained there for four years. Within these four years he had mirrored the rapid progress he had made in karate was graded 4th Dan. The years that followed held much personal distress for Masutatsu Oyama, like many others in Post-War Japan. The occupation of Japan was in many ways too much to bear for the young. It was here at this juncture in his life he met So Nei Chu and began his training in the mountains. Masutatsu Oyama’s first visit to the mountains to train was with a student of his. They erected, with the intention of remaining three years, living quarters on the mountain side. After six months his student was unable to bear the isolation and solitude and left the mountain. The isolation however was not total as a friend of Masutatsu Oyama called Kayama would deliver food on a regular basis. He recalls: “These visits on Mr. Kayama were a “meeting with Buddha in hell” for me, especially so after my pupil left the mountain. I often felt as if I waited thousands of days between visits. I warned myself not to anticipate the visits. My training became more intensive, and yet solitude distressed me. I must say that the emptiness of solitude is much more painful than the hardship of training. I habitually became lost in thought watching the poor light of the shack. Even the scripture of the Hokke-kyo which I chanted every night could not soothe my irritated mind; even Zazen (sitting in meditation) could not make me reach a state of serenity of mind.” Isolation and solitude at times weakened and disturbed Masutatsu Oyama and in desperation he wrote to So Nei Chu for advice. Chu replied: “Whether a painter seriously studying the concept of beauty, or a martial artist investigating budo, those who become recognised as geniuses work much harder and demonstrate far more perseverance than the average person. There has never been a genius who has not displayed tremendous effort and fortitude in their particular pursuit. Oyama, I believe you to be an irreplaceable figure in the world of Japan Martial Arts. Training harder than anyone else will make you invincible. You have what it takes to stand alone, unrivalled as a modern day warrior, and become the example of a true martial artist for the world. If you have the urge to come down from the mountain hut then shave off an eyebrow. You will most likely have very little desire to see anyone until it grows back. What others have done should not be impossible to you. Was there any
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Master of the martial arts who had not experienced mortification? The really great man can only be produced through continuous heavy training. You should be more courageous in striving towards your goal. That is the most important thing.” His training continued with renewed vigour and with new resolve swore to himself he would become the most powerful karateka of Japan. First All Japan Tournament After a year Masutatsu Oyama came down from the mountains more through necessity than choice. He was unable to remain for the three years he had wished because his friend Kayama could not longer sponsor his friend’s stay in Mount Minobu. It is reported that shortly after his return in 1947 to society he entered the First All Japan Tournament since the War, held in Maruyama Gymnasium, Kyoto and he was undefeated and declared the Champion. In the following year Masutatsu Oyama decided that the rest of his life would be devoted to the study of karate. He again returned to the solitude of nature and trained alone for 18 months on Mount Kiyozumi. His intention was to perfect his techniques and formalise his own thoughts and principles into his own Karate Way. His days of training were extremely difficult, training 12 hours a day. His physical training was coupled with spiritual training tameshiwari. He remained on Mount Kiyozumi for 18 months and returned to society in 1950. In later life he recalled the benefit of his training: “Although it is important to study and train for skill in techniques, for the man who wishes to truly accomplish the way of Budo, it is more important to make his whole life in training and therefore not aiming for skill and strength alone, but also for spiritual attainment. However, it is difficult at first to understand that attainment of the Budo way requires one’s whole life, and it is extremely hard to keep the right attitude towards this goal. It is necessary to impose the greatest effort and concentration on oneself in order to merely accomplish the right attitude to training… Living alone in the mountains, isolated from everything and everyone, confronted face to face with nature and oneself, is the severest condition to karate training. Although I willingly went into the situation, it was the fist time I had been required to stand alone with the fear of nature… The greatest fruit of my stay in the mountains was that I trained my physical and mental strength during the day, and I confronted nature and my inner-self at night. Of course my skill in karate was greatly developed, but more fulfilling was the strengthening of a great mental state, a state developed far in excess of that before entering the mountains.” Fighting Bulls It was in the 1950’s that he began testing his ability against bulls. The stories are not unknown throughout the world on his strength and agility in fighting these animals. Reports conflict, as is expected with the passage of time and imagination. He did however kill three bulls with his bear hands. His public display did more than reinforce his own belief in his ability, it brought to the attention of the Japanese public the effectiveness of karate and the power of a man call Masutatsu Oyama. From 1950 – 1954 he travelled extensively throughout the USA and later in the decade continued to travel through Europe, in a successful attempt to give publicity to Karate. Oyama Dojo The first Oyama dojo was in a burnt out area of Tokyo, Mejiro. Here in 1953 with instructors K.
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Mizushima and E. Yasuda he continued for three years until 1956. During this period he returned to the USA and extended his journey to South America and Europe. In June 1956 he opened the first true dojo near the Rikko University, less than half a mile from the present day Honbu in Ikebukuro. He added two further instructors to cope with the ever increasing influx of students, K. Kato and K. Minamoto. The following year after its opening the Oyama dojo had 700 members despite the severity of training and the associated “drop out rate”. The drop out rate was indeed high and in some instances was 90% due to the hard training. Karateka from other styles would visit and train with Masutatsu Oyama – especially for the kumite sessions (fighting) which was full contact. The young Oyama was at his peak and would at these fighting sessions fight with them all – it was not surprising that the sessions lasted in some instances four hours. During this time he studied many other martial arts – taking and developing where necessary the techniques and concepts and adapting them as he felt to the better. This was the foundation on which he built the Kyokushinkaikan. Kumite
Masutatsu Oyama in many ways differed from other instructors of that era, primarily his karate as his students interpreted, was “fighting karate”. Once they entered the dojo they both expected to be hit and would expect to fight. Few rules were adhered to in kumite with attacks to the head and face common-place (usually with the palm heel or knuckles wrapped in a towel). Grabbing and throwing the opponent was also permitted. Individual kumite would continue for an indefinite period of time until one person shouted “Mairi masutatsuhita” (I give in). As the dojo began to grow Masutatsu Oyama continued his travels and it was in Mexico in 1957 that he nearly met his end. During an exhibition in Mexico he was gored by a bull which luckily did not kill him but he was seriously injured which necessitated six months hospitalisation. Oyama Dojo It was in 1953 that this first dojo was opened, a grass lot in Mejiro, Tokyo. The Chief Instructor of the dojo was Kenji Mizushima. In June 1956, the true beginning of Japan Kyokushin (and the IKO) began with the opening of the Oyama Dojo in a former ballet studio behind the Rikkyo University, 500 metres from the current Honbu (headquarters) in Ikebukuro. Mizushima continued as the instructor, along with Masutatsuami Ishibashi, Kenji Kata, Ken Minamoto and Eiji Yasuda. Within a short space of time membership grew to 300. In just over a year the dojo had 700 members, despite an ex-
tremely high drop out rate due to the harshness of the training. This was the time that Masutatsu Oyama’s karate strength was at its peak, so training was severe. Many of the students were members of other styles who came to the Oyama Dojo for training in full contact karate. In this way Oyama built on his karate. He would take what he felt were the best techniques and concepts from not just other karate styles but from any Martial Art and gradually incorporated them into his training. Thus, the foundations of Kyokushin were slowly and steadily laid. In 1958 Oyama published “What is Karate?” which sold 250,000 copies – this book became the Kyokushin bible and was without doubt an international best seller. In October 1961, the first National American Tournament was held in Madison Square Garden, New York. At this tournament Oyama gave a demonstration which earned him the name Godhand. Formation of Kyokushin Karate It is apt that we give space to an article on the formation of Kyokushin Karate by Oyama that appeared nearly thirty years ago: “Following my stay in the mountains, my emergence again into civilian life and my victory fights with the bulls, I then travelled about the world engaging in fights with anyone who wished to challenge me. Throughout my travels, I met many people of all different races, cultures and ideas. I tried to impart to them the techniques and spirit of Karate and managed to gain some success in this area. The interest in Karate had begun. On returning to Japan, I thus considered deeply the next step in my life and I slowly began to evolve a number of ideas which lead to the formation of my Kyokushin style of Karate and eventually to the establishment of Kyokushinkaikan. I pondered deeply on the question of courage. It was a fact that I had overcome many hurdles in my life, many battles and even defeated bulls, but what is courage? People, knowing my history expected me to have courage at all times, but I knew that sometimes I felt so cowardly that I was ashamed. Although I am sometimes so cautious my friends are surprised, I am also sometimes convinced that I have more courage than a lion in the heat of the hunt. Everyone has these two sides; being both courageous and yet cowardly. I am sure it depends on the condition of the mind and the surroundings at any given time. I believe it is true that we cannot live without courage. We desire a person full of courage and scorn cowards. The easiest way to develop courage is to devote oneself to a cause for justice. If we offer our lives to society, others, or an ideal, we have nothing to fear and can deal with any situation calmly. I believe one who is cowardly in daily life is so because he lacks readiness of mind and it was in the training of young minds for this steadfastness, that I decided I wished to aim my life. We are destined to live with other, on the hand we seem equally destined to struggle against others and ourselves from time to time. Where can we find life without struggle? Perhaps when struggle between us ends, all human history ends. It is an unchangeable fate that every single human is mortal. Thus living things must show their power of life during their lives and hand it down to their descendants. However, unpleasant it is to see society driven by power, or a thirst for power and however much we feel violated by even the word “power”, it nevertheless exists and is a vital part of our lives. There are many kinds and levels of struggle, from struggle with oneself to individuals fighting to large scale battles for power or justice. We cannot avoid these struggles throughout our lives and history goes on repeating them.
Therefore life is to struggle, life is to fight. Life is nothing but fighting and struggling at one level or another, and even the smallest and most insignificant person should not be defeated. Defeat may teach us many things however, all is reduced to meaninglessness if we cannot make good use of our defeat and experience to win at the next battle. Throughout my travels I experienced many kinds of death matches; Karate versus Wrestling; Karate versus Boxing or Thai Kick Boxing; Karate versus a bull, and I overcame them all. I have never clearly been defeated in a bare fist fight in which I was permitted to use the techniques of Karate. So I came to realise that Karate is a very excellent, very strong Martial Art. I believe I have never lost because I devoted myself only to Karate. It is part of human nature that we have some sympathy for the poor and weak, however, on the other hand we always have a longing for true strongness. Therefore the stronger we become, the better we are on in our human way. Since the Second World War, I am the only one that has engaged in Death Matches in order to propagate the strength of Karate. I was often criticised throughout my fighting years and was looked on with scorn by those Karateka who love “peace”. But what are they beyond instructors of dancing Karate? How can they teach the techniques of a fighting art and the spirit behind it which leads to the physical and mental strength to overcome all obstacles and to refrain from violence, when they have never experienced a true fighting situation? So I formulated Kyokushin Karate, as a Budo Karate. A Karate very necessary in today’s world. Kyokushin means to seek for the ultimate, in the physical, mental and spiritual. With these perfections, other perfections come as a matter of course. So I set out on the road to developing an International Budo Karate, a Karate available to everyone in the world which would aid them to live with themselves and to live with others in this, our world of struggle. Furthermore, I believe that Kyokushin Karate is the right way to succeed the tradition and wisdom of the Oriental spirit which I believe has to much relevance today.”
President. In 1964, Masutatsu Oyama sent Tadashi Nakamura, Kenji Kurosaki and Akio Fujihira, all instructors at the Tokyo Oyama Dojo, to Thailand. The purpose was to accept the challenge to Japanese Karate from the Muay Thai boxers. The Oyama Karate team won the challenge and served to not only redeem the name of Japanese karate, but to make Masutatsu Oyama and his new, powerful Kyokushin respected worldwide. The formative years of Kyokushin Karate (As published by Honbu in their Tournament Programme)
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1946 The Eiwa Karate-Do Institute was established in Suginame, Tokyo, in September but was closed six months later. 1953 The Field Dojo in Meijiro Tokyo, was opened and instruction was given by Shihandai Kenji Mizushima. 1954 A signboard for Oyama Dojo was set up and instruction given by Messrs. Kenji Mizushima and Eiji Yasuda.
1956 An old ballet school behind Rikko University was rented as a dojo. Instruction was given by Messrs. Kenji Mizushijmja, Eiji Yasuda, Masutatsuami Ishibashi and Ken Minamimoto, to a membership of 300.
other men travelled to Bangkok and won two of the three fights, hence ennobling the dignity of Japanese Karate. Over 20 students gained black belts in this very successful year and more than 10 overseas branches were established, including branches in Hawaii and San Francisco. Since membership was rapidly increasing, plans for a new dojo building were formulated. 1963 Construction of the International Karate Organisation, Kyokushinkaikan Honbu, at Ikebukro, Tokyo began October the first of this year. Kancho visited Europe and South America for four months to attend Branch Chief Meetings. 1964 After three set backs, the International Karate Organisation Kyokushinkaikan was officially established and Mr. Eisaku Sato and Mr. Matsuhei Mori were inaugurated as President and Vice President respectively. 1965 Over the past three years more than 40 overseas branches were established. “This is Karate” was published and Mr. Tadashi Nakamura was sent to develop Karate in America. The First European Branch Chief Meeting was held in Amsterdam, Mr. Jon Bluming being elected as Chairman, Mr. Steve Arneil as Vice Chairman and Mr. Loek Hollander as General Secretary. The Hawaiian Branch Chief, Mr. Bobby Lowe visited Japan and Mr. Kenji Kurosaki was then sent to the Hawaiian Branch. In May, the magazine “Modern Karate” was published with only eight pages; within the next three years it had grown to a successful 80 page magazine. The first winter training was held at Mount Mitsumine in Okuchichibu and was attended by 30 enthusiastic students. The summer training, at Ichinomiya School in Chiba Prefecture, was attended by 100 students and as both schools proved most successful these places became regular sites for summer and winter trainings.
1957 Mr. Tsutomu Yajima and Mr. Kenichi Matsui were instructing over 700 students.
Full Contact Kumite Kumite (fighting) at the Oyama Dojo was notoriously demanding. From the first lesson Kumite was hard. The members of the Oyama Dojo saw their karate first and foremost as a fighting art, so it was expected of them to hit and be hit. There were few restrictions. Injuries were a daily occurrence, but those who remained became strong. The drop out rate was very high – over 90% but no one really worried; those who stayed just remained silent and continued training. Whilst the Tokyo dojo continued to grow, Masutatsu Oyama continued to travel the world, researching all types of Martial Arts and demonstrating his power karate. Tokyo Honbu The building of the current World Headquarters commenced in 1963 and was officially opened in June 1964. It was at this time that Oyama Karate adopted the name Kyokushin, the Ultimate Truth. Mr. Eisaku Sato was appointed President and Matsuhei Mori appointed Vice
1958 Messrs. Kasuhisa Watanabe, Shigeru Oyama and Hirobumi Okada became instructors. “What is Karate?” was published and 250,000 copies were sold. The book became an overseas best seller. Mr. Jon Bluming, Mr. Bob Boulton, Mr. Steve Arneil and Mr. Peter McLean became members. 1961 Messrs. Shogo Ariake, Yasuhiko Oyama, Tadashi Nakamura, Yuzo Goda, Ichiro Ozawa, Shigeo Kato, Akio Fijihara and Tsutomu Koga became instructors. Oyama dojo was growing in popularity and prosperity and Shigeru Oyama himself began instructing at the request of many students. In October, the First Open North American Tournament was held in Madison Square Garden, New York. Kancho Masutatsu Oyama officiated as the main judge of the tournament and performed demonstrations that earned him the acclaim of God Hand in the New York Times. 1962 Oyama dojo accepted a Thai Boxing challenge to Japanese Karate that other schools had considered foolhardy. Mr. Tadashi Nakamura and two
1966 This year Kenji Kurosaki was sent to Holland and Shigeo Kato to Australia. As President Eisaku Sato became Prime Minister, Matsuhei Mori assumed Presidency and Hideo Shiotsugu became Vice President. World Karate Travel (domestic edition) was published. 1967 Shoichiro Ogura was sent to Brazil and Shigeru Oyama to the USA. Vital Karate, Dynamic Karate, (domestic edition), For The People Who Learn Karate (domestic edition) were published and all received immediate popularity. Sean Connery (actor) visited the Honbu to take lessons during filming of one of the James Bond 007 movies. 1969 Ryoichi Matsushima was sent to South East Asia and the following books were published with great success: Advanced Karate, Boy’s Karate,
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Karate for the Millions (domestic edition, Hyakuman Ni No Karate), A Classroom of Karate (domestic edition, Karate Kyoshitsu) and Boy’s Karate Self Defence (domestic edition, Syonen Karate Goshinjitsu). Attendance at winter training was high and participation at summer training reached 200. The First Open Karate Tournament was held at Tokyo Gymnasium on September 20th and it attracted an audience of over 7,000. From the 48 competitors first place went to Terutomo Yamazaki, second place to Yoshiji Soeno and third place went to Kazuyuki Hasegawa.
1970 The Prince of Jordan visited Honbu and presented Kancho Oyama with a medal. He also received a letter of thank from the Japanese Foreign Affairs Department for his outstanding work in this area. Tsuneyoshi Tanaka, the South American Branch Chief, visited Tokyo and undertook three months training after which Kancho Oyama was presented with a cultural medal from the Brazilian Government. The Second European Branch Chief meeting was held in Amsterdam; Loek Hollander was elected Chairman. In the North American Kyhokushinkaikan Organisation, Tadashi Nakamura was elected Chairman. The Second Open Karate Tournament was held on September 26th at the Tokyo Gymnasium. From the 64 competitors, Kazuyuki Hasagawa won first place; Terutomo Yamazaki second place and Yoshiji Soeno third place. 1971 Regional Branch Chairman elections were held this year. Peter Chong became the Chairman of South East Asia, Mr. Zavetchanos of the South Pacific, High Royal Highness Prince Raad of the Middle and Near East and Mr. Ian Harris the Chairman of South Africa. In Europe and North America, the previous Chairmen were re-elected. Tadashi Nakamura opened the North American Organisation Honbu Dojo and the opening ceremony was attended by Kancho Oyama, the Consular General and the Mayor of New York. Masutatsu Oyama’s Autobiography appeared in a boy’s magazine and in reply to national demand, the Masutatsu Oyama Correspondence School was established in Shibuya, Tokyo. It proved very popular and membership soon reached 15,000. Nobuyuki Kishi was sent to the Republic of China and Seiji Kanamura to the USA. The Third Open Karate Tournament was held at Tokyo Gymnasium and again Kyokushin Karate took all the honours; Katsuaki Sato won first place, Yasuhiko Oyama second place and Daigo Oishi third place.
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1972 The Prince and Princess of Spain visited Japan. A welcome demonstation was held for them at Geihinkan, after which Kancho Oyama was presented with a medal and a letter of thanks. Yasuhiko Oyama and Miyuki Miura were both sent to the USA. The Fourth Open Karate Tournament, held on October 22nd at Tokyo Gymnasium was a great success. From the 48 competitors Miyuki Miura won first place, Howard Collins second place and Toshikazu Sato third place. 1973 Masutatsu Oyama’s autobiography Karate Baka Ichidai was adapted and presented on television, gaining great public favour. Kancho visited overseas branches on more than 20 overseas trips, to discuss the possibility of holding the First World Open Karate Tournament. Winter training had a record number of 120 students participating and summer training was attended by 300 students. Seiji Isobe was sent to Brazil. The Fifth Open Karate Tournament was held on November 4th at Tokyo – 128 were chosen to participate. From this 128, Hatsuo Royama won first place, Terutomo Yamazaki second place and Toshikazu Sato third place.
1974 Masutatsu Oyama was awarded 9th Dan by the International Organisation Honbu. The Prince and Princess of Iran visited Japan and a karate demonstration was held at the Hotel Okura, where the Prince was presented with an honorary 2nd Dan. Joko Ninomiya, Eisho Nakaza and Nobuyuki Kishi were sent to the USA. The Sixth Open Karate Tournanment was held at Tokyo Gymnasium on November 9th and 10th. The first three place winners were: 1st – Katsuaki Sato, 2nd – Takashi Azuma and 3rd – Hatsuo Royama. 1975 - World Tournament Year! 1975 saw the staging of the First World Open Karate Tournament on the 1st November at the Tokyo Gymnasium and this was indeed a milestone in the history of the Kyokushinkaikan. The popularity of Kyokushin rocketed not only in Japan but across the world. Purely as a public relations exercise it would have achieved its goal but in getting the message across regarding Knockdown Karate and the power of the Kyokushinkaikan it proved priceless. The focus of the world was on this event which was spread over two days and I think it fair to say that after this tournament the IKO in numeric terms blossomed. People from around
the world were sent free tickets by Honbu to compete in the tournament as were the country’s Branch Chiefs – so even representatives from the poorest countries could attend and witness the event. It was not surprising that on their return home fighters and representatives enthusiastically spread the word of Kyokushin and now had proof that they and the IKO were indeed one of the most powerful organisations in the world. With them they also took home the prize that in four years time they would be invited again to attend the Second World Tournament. Branch Chiefs would work furiously and fighters would train harder in the future having taken home the experience of how good the Japanese fighters were. There is no doubt that the Japanese Karateka stood head and shoulders above the rest of the world in terms of technical ability and above all spirit. I think it fair to say that in the thirty years that has passed, the Japanese in general still maintain their excellence of technique and without doubt their spirit is still superior.
Having said that, fighters from throughout the world have matched and beaten the Japanese at their own game and there have in the past years been some brilliant and able non Japanese fighters. Looking back now thirty years later the staging of the World Tournament was undoubtedly one major reason for the popularity of Kyokushin Karate and at the same time the tournament was one major factor in many people leaving the IKO none more famous than Tadashi Nakamura. It is no understatement to say that at the time Nakamura would have been the natural successor to Masutatsu Oyama. In the twenty years that passed many other senior grades either left the IKO or were expelled. So in some ways it is a sad fact that the promotion of the World Tournaments in essence led to its weakening. The success of this event was indeed tempered by the unexpected shock resignation of Tadashi Nakamura and the shock waves rippled around the world. I assume as an exercise in damage limitation Masutatsu Oyama expelled Nakamura (after he had already resigned!) for amongst other things, financial irregularities. A full and comprehensive explanation of the situation is recorded in The Human Face of Karate by Tadashi Nakamura. This same pattern was to be repeated many times over the years with top Karateka including Hanshi Steve Arneil. I suppose it gave credence to Honbu if they could point the finger at anyone claiming they had been financially dishonest and this charge in itself often seems to be the end of a person’s reputation. The First World Tournament itself was not without drama – as Kancho Oyama had stated that if a Japanese fighter did not win the tournament he would commit Seppuku
(ritual suicide). Thirty five countries were represented each sending a four man team – the Japanese team however consisted of eight fighters, twice the amount credited to each country – thus in many ways the odds were already favouring Japan to be well represented in the final bouts. In the weeks and days prior to the tournament the training facilities of Honbu were off bounds to any foreign team and the Japanese squad had exclusive use of the training facilities up to the day of the tournament, thus not giving the foreign fighters much opportunity to train anywhere but at their hotel or in the park! Finally, the tournament draw was not exactly fair – far from it. This unfortunate fact was many times repeated in all successive World Tournaments, but there were very few people who had the courage and strength to successfully challenge Honbu in this respect – an important fact that kept many a mouth closed was that their expenses were being paid by Honbu and if the boat was rocked would they be invited again next time? Tadashi Nakamura is on record as stating that “they (the IKO) matched the strongest overseas competitors against each other, and thus weeded out half of the foreign fighters; after that, those winners were matched against the Japanese competitors. In this way the chances of a Japanese fighter being beaten were greatly reduced. With all this, what were the chances of an overseas competitor winning?” (The Human Face of Karate by Tadashi Nakamura) Kancho Oyama himself interfered and dictated his wishes to the tournament referees many times and this carried on through all following world tournaments held in Tokyo. If you look through the draws of each World Tournament the unfairness of the draw hits you squarely in the face. Often it would be fairly clear by just glancing at the draw who was the Japanese favourite to win into the third day of the tournament and possibly be the eventual World Champion. World Tournament placings : 1st K. Sato (Japan), 2nd H. Royama (Japan), 3rd J. Ninomiya (Japan).
Looking back now over the history of Kyokushinkai we can now clearly appreciate Oyama’s contribution to the spread of Budo karate. In the 1970’s he was openly critical of the established Japanese karate groups and gained (not without reason) great notoriety during this time. His early study of karate began under the influence of Yamaguchi Goju Karate teachings. Oyama had studied widely for many years widely and had a knowledge of many fighting forms including Chinese Shaolin and Korean combat arts. However it was his study of Goju that gave him the foundation of Kyokushin Karate. His ideals and principles of karate placed great emphasis on combat. He always maintained that
“all karate like systems were originally fighting arts and must remain so if they are to deserve the name karate”. In a now famous speech in 1978 he gave the idea of hitotsuki hitogeri, meaning one punch, one kick, to achieve victory over an opponent which went against the Kyokushin system and background. He would not accept the principle fact that an attack by a karateka using a simple touch of hand or foot, (no matter how fast and skilfully), was a telling blow. He also maintained that he would not accept that a well executed and controlled attack that is purposely stopped short of its target was not real karate. To decide the winner of a contest in budo karate fashion, Oyama insisted that contact must be permitted (as in boxing), and such contact must produce either a knockout or the resignation of a karateka.
participated. 32,000 spectators followed the event over three days. The Champion was to be Makoto Nakamura (Japan), 2nd Keiji Sanpei (Japan), 3rd Willie William (USA). The pick of Honbu black belts, under Seiji Kanemura performed tameshiwari on NHK’s high rating programme “600 Kochira Johobu”. A documentary programme about the World Championships was broadcast on Fuji Terebi. The photographic documentary book of the Second World Karate Championships was published by Kodansha. Kancho was invited to appear as a guest on the Kansei television programme “Konnichiwa, Kusanagi Daizo desu”. The interviewer was Mr. Daizo Kusanagi.
1976 A documentary film of the World Tournament, “The Strongest Karate”, was released and proved most popular, drawing large and enthusiastic crowds both in Japan and overseas. Kancho Oyama travelled to the USA in August. Throughout 1976, sixteen new branches were contracted to the Kyokushinkaikan: four in the USA, four in South Africa and one each in Algeria, Kuwait, Australia, Israel, Suriname, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago. Many branches in the USA became active again. The Eighth All Japan Tournament was held very successfully on October 30th and 31st. the winners being 1st T. Sato, 2nd J. Ninomiya and 3rd T. Azuma. 1977 “The Strong Karate (Part 2)” was released and gained great popularity. The third part of the movie series depicting Kancho’s life story was released and also received great acclaim. 1978 “The Godhand” comic strip started. Kancho went to Hong Kong. The Second Australian Tournament was held. The Hawaiian All Stars Tournament was held with Japan winning. The Second British Knockdown Tournament and the Second South African Tournaments were held. Kancho gave a grand and important speech in the ancient capital of Nara (Japan). The First Kanto Silent (of Deaf and Dumb) Tournament was held. T. Azuma and T. Sato attended the European Summer Training with Steve Arneil and Loek Hollander. Summer training camps were held in various countries around the world. The First European Tournament was held in London. The Tenth All Japan Open Karate Tournament was held. K. Sanpei and K. Kawabata attended the Malaysian Open Tournament and then taught in Malaysia and Singapore. 1979 The start of many tournaments around the world for selection of teams to attend the Second World Open Karate Tournament this year. The British Tournament and the Eleventh All Japan Open Karate Tournaments were held. Kancho travelled to the USA. Many foreigners entered Tokyo Honbu. A grand demonstration was held at the Embassy of the USSR in Tokyo. Kancho himself demonstrated. Promotion for the Second World Tournament started in earnest. Three of Honbu’s seniors attempted 100 men kumite but all were unsuccessful (two of these were Makoto Nakamura and Keiji Sanpei). The provisional Japanese team was sent to the USA for training. Sixteen Honbu black belts put on a demonstration at the Sports Festival of the Osaka Telephone and Electricity Company. The Second World Open Karate Championships took place in Nippon Budokan Hall. Sixty two countries
1980 Release of the book “The Strongest Karate” concerning the Second World Open Karate Championships. After repeated conferences by the Board of Directors concerning the Williams –v- Inoki problem, it was decided to indefinitely suspend Shigeru Oyama and his student Willie Williams. Kancho left on a tour of America and Canada. The Sixth Kyokushin Karate Tournament took place in Israel. The Australian Kyokushin Open Tournament took place. The Chiba Kyokushin Karate Tournament was held. The single “The Theme from the Godhand – The Rod to Kyokushin” is released by King Records. Kyokushinkaikan’s President, Matsuhei Mori assumes the position of the Fourth Director General of the Nippon Budokan. The release of the second LP “The Essence of Kyokushin Karate – Mas. Oyama’s Philosophy” under the label of King Records. A visit by the UAE businessman, Man Garadari, Shihan Hatsuo Royama and thirteen Honbu black belts including Keiji Sanpei and Makoto Nakamura took part in a demonstration. Kancho Oyama was invited to lecture the inmates of Nakano Prison and was showered with applause. Kancho went to Tokushima and Hiroshima for the photographic sessions of The Encyclopedia of Karate to be published by Kodansha. After a council meeting, it was decided to expel Hideyuki Ashihara (Branch Chief of Ehime prefecture) and Yoshiji Soeno (Branch Chief of the Saitama Metropolitan area). The Twelveth All Japan Open Karate Championships were held at the Tokyo Physical Education Hall. The filming of the Honbu training for the TBS News programme “TV Retto 7 o’clock”. Demonstration held by the Brazilian Branch at the commemoration of the 24th year of the local Military Police and the celebration of the assumption of office of Lieutenant Colonel Reizo Nishi. 1981 Koichi Kawabata headed for Australia for training. The Chile Kyokushin Karate
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Tournament was held. The opening of the Toyama branch. Kyokushin Karate was given coverage by the popular New York magazine GQ. Kancho’s direct instruction to Len Barnes and Kenny Uytenbogaardt was much appreciated. HRH Prince Faizal of Saudi Arabia came to Honbu to meet Kancho for a private discussion. The Second Chiba Karate Championships were held. The First South East Asia Open Karate Tournament was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Honbu black belts gave a demonstration at the reception of the US-Japan Maritime Conference. The South American Tournament was held in Brazil. The Eighth All Hokkaido Open Tournament was held. The Thirteenth All Japan Open Karate Tournament was held. Demonstration held for HRH Prince Dhirendra Bir Bikram Shak of Nepal who visited Japan in order to meet Kancho Oyama. 1982 Following requests from the Hong Kong public, Mizuguchi and Oga, under the ledership of Goda Shihan gave exhibition matches. TBS broadcast a Kyokushin demonstration which displayed karate power backed by scientific data. Singapore demonstration held in the FAFRA gardens of the Singapore Army. Oyama Kancho and Kyokushinkaikan adviser, Mr. Yanagawa, attended the opening ceremony of the North American main dojo, on a main street in New York’s Manhattan. Japan’s Matsushima Shibucho and Masuda Shibucho visited Singapore to put on a demonstration at the South-East Asian Championships. Oyama Kancho gave a demonstration at the Kinki University after being invited to the University Festival. For the Youth Festival of Autumn, Kyokushin students put on a demonstration at the main street of Shinjuku’s Kabukicho area. The Fourteenth All Japan Open Karate Tournament was held. The Champion was keiji Sanpei, 2nd Toshio Mizuguchi, 3rd Akiyoshi Matsui. The Sixth Brazilian Karate Championships were held. Kancho Oyama lectured at Kyoto Citizen’s University. The Fourth Dragon Cup was held in Poland. 1983 The welcoming demonstration for the French Navy’s crew of Jean d’Arc. The Second South American Karate Championships was held. Television coverage on TSB’s “My Sports”. A party commemorating Mori Kaicho’s 25 years of, in service the Diet was held. The First Sri Lankan Karate Championships is held and Kancho attended. “Friday Special” television coverage of Kancho and Kyokushinkaikan. 3,000 people attended a party to celebrate 20 years of Kyokushinkaikan and the 35th Wedding Anniversary of Kancho and Mrs. Oyama. The First Ibutz Oyama Cup was held and Kancho attended. The South Pacific Area Karate Tournament was held and Kancho attended. The Fifteenth All Japan Open Tournament was held. 1st Yasuto Ohnishi, 2nd Kazuhiko Ogasawara, 3rd Harutomo Takeyama. 1983 “My Karate Budo Education” and “Showa Gorin-no Sho” were published. Crown Prince Dipendra of Nepal came to see Sosai Oyama and a demonstration was held. 1984 The Third World Karate Tournament was held at Nippon Budokan from 20th – 23rd. The Champion was Makoto Nakamura, 2nd Keiji Sanpei, 3rd Akiyoshi Matsui. Makoto Nakamura (the Champion of the Second and Third World Tournaments) retired after this tournament. Sosai had a talk with Mr. Michihiro Matsumoto about the theme of “The Way of Karate” and “The
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Way of Learning English”. Sosai met the former Prime Minister, Mr. Kakuei Tanaka for a magazine interview. The First All Japan Weight Division Tournament was held at Osaka. Winners: Lightweight (Under 70 kg) Masahiro Oga, Middleweight (Under 80 kg) Hideaki Kakinuma, Heavyweight (Over 80 kg) Yasuhiro Shichinohe. The Second All South-East Asia Tournament in Indonesia was held. Kiyoshi Abe and Hisashi Seito participated. The Sixteenth All Japan Open Karate Tournament was held at Tokyo. 1st Hiroki Kurosawa, 2nd Harutomo Takeyama, 3rd Toshio Mizuguchi. Sosai gave a lecture at Tsumagoi Yamada Recreation Centre. The British Tournament was held. Akiyoshi Matsui and Hisaya Kimoto gave a demonstration in Sicily. 1985 The movie “The Kyokushin Way” was released by Shchiku Fuji Co. Demonstration for the crew of Jeanne D’Arc helicopter carrier (French Navy). The Second Ibutz Oyama Cup Championship in Hungary was held and Sosai attended. Champion of the All Japan Tournament, Kurosawa and others were featured in the TV show “Sprots-Tengoku” of Fuji Television. The President of Kyokushinkaikan, Mr. Matsuhei Mori, died on 24th. The Second All Japan Weight Division Tournament was held at Osaka. The winners: Lightweight (Under 65 kg) Kenji Midori, Middleweight (Under 75 kg) Takehisa Iriki, Heavyweight (Over 75 kg) Yasuhiro Shichinohe. Hisaya Kitamoto went to Los Angeles as an instructor. The Third South American Tournament was held. Mitsuaski Sato and Hisashi Seito participated and then stayed in Brazil as instructors. The South Pacific Tournament in Australia was held. The Seventeenth All Japan Open Karate Tournament was held in Tokyo. Champion : Akiyoshi Matsui, 2nd Hiroki Kurosawa, 3rd Akira Masuda. Sosai’s book “Kuken-Shiko” was published by Tele House. The British Tournament was held. Sosai gave a lecture at Matsushita Seikei-Juku. The Third All Europe Tournament was held in Spain and Sosai Oyama attended. Sosai met Mr. Samaranch, the International Olympic Committee’s President, during his trip around Europe. 1986 Sosai gave a lecture for Shimin Daigaku Koza Seminar. Branch Chief of Brazil, Mr. Seiji Isobe established The Kyokushin Oyama Kakuto-gi Association. Mr. Hans Lundgren, the co-star of the movie Rocky IV came to Japan on a promotion campaign and visited Sosai. Akiyoshi Matsui succeeded in completing the one hundred men kumite at Daiei Oizumi Studio in Nerima, Tokyo. The Eleventh Hawaii Tournament was held. Demonstration at “Fukuro Matsuri” was given by headquarters (Honbu) students. The Eleventh British Tournament was held. The Eighteenth All Japan Open Karate Tournament was held at Yoyogi National Stadium. Champion : Akiyoshi Matsui, 2nd Akira Masuda, 3rd Kenji Yamaki. The Third Ibutz Oyama Cup Championship in Hungary was held and Sosai attended. 1987 Keiji Sanpei succeeded in completing a 40 man kumite at a promotion test at the headquarters (Honbu) and obtained 4th Dan. Ademir Da Costa succeeded in completing a one hundred men kumite at Sao Paulo Brazil. Michiaki Wada, Tokujun Ishi and Koichi Yoshida went to Australia as instructors. The European Tournament was held in Poland. All the members of the Japanese team for the Fourth World Tournament attended
headquarters (Honbu) summer camp special training, held at Tateyama, Chiba directed by Shihan Royama and coached by Keiji Sanpei.
FREQUENTLY USED TECHNIQUES
FOUL TECHNIQUES
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Hanshi Steve Arneil 10th Dan Presentation 2011
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HANSHI STEVE ARNEIL 10TH DAN 4TH IFK WORLD OPEN KNOCKDOWN TOURNAMENT 2013