IFK Canada Seminar Report - April 4th to April 7th 2024

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On April 3rd to April 10th we had the visit and the pleasure to attend an IFK World Seminar hosted by Shihan Eddy Gabathuler - IFK Switzerland Country Representative & IFK World Board Member. He visited the new IFK CANADA headquarters, Karaté Mascouche, based in the Province of Quebec, Canada.

This amazing and wonderful event was attended by IFK Canada Board Administration Members: Sensei Francois Presseault - Country Representative & President, Shihan Gaetan Sauvé, Shihan Real Gagnon - IFK Canada Advisors, Sensei Jean François Verreault - Treasure, Sensei Pascal Hemond - General Secretary IFK Canada and several other Sensei’s and Kohai’s.

Several Dojos from all over the United States, Province of Quebec and Ontario were represented. The event was also honored by the presence of Shihan Mike Monaco, USA Country Representative and member of the IFK World Board. 10 Dojos and over 55 participants.

Shihan Eddy landed in Montreal on Wednesday April 3rd, we took advantage of his presence over a homemade dinner to discuss Karate extensively along with several uprising projects in IFK Canada.

The action began on Thursday April 4th afternoon with a private training session at KaratéMascouche Dojo. Detailed explanations were given on physical preparation before training, explosiveness in Knockdown, and physical conditioning. Needless to say, that it was an intense session.

Thursday evening brought a surprise at Karaté Mascouche as Shihan Eddy honored us by teaching a class on the 10th Kihon and Zenkutsu Dachi to white belts. The evening continued with a private Kata training session for Sempaï Raphael Descheneaux in preparation for the IFK World Kata Championship 2024. Following this intensive session, the students received an inspiring lesson about fighting along with Kyokushin self-defense techniques. Needless to say, it was extraordinary.

The agenda continued Friday April 5 with a private session on angles in Knockdown Fighting for the Karaté Mascouche team, along with some extraordinary kicking techniques. The team left the training session highly inspired. The real program kicked off and started on Friday evening with the arrival of all members of dojos from USA and Canada. The first two hours of the seminar passed quickly, focusing on explosiveness and self-defense based on Kyokushin approach! We all left the training session highly motivated for the following day!

Saturday arrived with intensive six hours of training for all! Sunday - The final touch!

Shihan Eddy quickly set the rhythm of the day by working our muscles in the Kyokushin style. He then opened our minds, one lesson at a time, covering Kihons, Renraku from the IFK syllabus, gradations, combat, and street self-defense. It was not only highly enriching but also incredibly interesting for dojo owners who can teach it afterward. Shihan Eddy is simply a grand master in technique, teaching, and martial knowledge.

Saturday evening was spent enjoying a good dinner together with friends and family members, reconnecting friendships, establishing new connections, and strengthening the unique IFK family bond. Sunday morning arrived swiftly in Mascouche, marking the final touch training session and belt promotions of our New Shihan Mikhail Zimerman, our new Yondan – Sensei Jean -Francois Verreault, Sensei Sylvain D’Astout and Sensei Denis Lyrette. We reflected on the themes of the past hours, 10 hours of training in 3 days, focusing on Kihon, Ippon Kumite, Renraku, all from the perspective of Kyokushin for the street. Participants learned so much and were so inspired by Shihan Eddy to follow their Kyokushin path with an open mind.

Shihan Eddy and Shihan Monaco honored us by awarding Shodan, Nidan, Yodan, and Godan ranks on behalf of IFK World. The word "Family" was celebrated during these belt promotions. The quality of IFK karatekas is incomparable. Thanks to the knowledge gained under Shihan Eddy's guidance, everyone has become better martial artists, with a much broader understanding of our IFK syllabus techniques.

IFK Hungary Seminar with Shihan David Pickthal

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IFK Hungary held a 3-day seminar with Shihan David Pickthall between 11th and 13th of October, from Wednesday to Friday. Through these days more than a hundred people trained under the leadership of Shihan David's. The visit was really important for Hungary because Shihan David was last there in 2017. Since then not only VTSE but the whole Hungarian team has developed, in terms of skills and number of their members. Last year 4 more clubs and many coaches joined the organization, so it was also important to meet with them. 

On Wednesday, Shihan Bőke Béla CR and his team (Club VTSE) welcomed Shihan David in their dojo in Zámoly. There was a traditional technical training focused on warm up as many children and lower grades attended, also tried some useful combinations for fighting skills. 3 of the black belts officially received their 2nd - 3rd dan belts and diplomas as a result of their summer grading. 


On Thursday, Shihan travelled to Jászberény and Nagykáta where Sensei Agócs Tibor (Club Yakuzák SE / Y Akadémia) showed his amazing dojos. During the day, the Nagykáta dojo was officially opened within a ceremony where several prominent people from Hungary attended. Finished the day with a great training in the new dojo.


On Friday the last training was held in Székesfehérvár, "Harinezumi Dojo" where higher master katas were summarized with some black belts.

IFK Bolivia Technical Update Course 2023

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In Bolivia, an IFK Karate update course took place on September 30th and October 1st, featuring the special visit of Shihan Germán Carballo from Uruguay.

This course was held in the Department of La Paz, in the city of El Alto, at an altitude of over 4050 meters above sea level. We had the participation of 40 enthusiastic students who had the valuable opportunity to learn from Shihan German during the two days of the course.

On Saturday, we began our activities in the morning, focusing on Kihon techniques and fundamental stances. In the afternoon, we progressed through the Syllabus, covering from the 6th Kyu to the 1st Kyu.

On Sunday morning, we practiced the Renrakus. In the afternoon, starting at 2:30 PM, a rigorous evaluation was conducted in which 7 candidates underwent the examination to attain the rank of 1st Dan. It was a challenging examination that extended until 6:30 PM, and in which 6 of the participants managed to pass.

To conclude this successful course, all students participated in kumite, which took place from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

IFK Bolivia is committed to implementing the IFK Kyokushin program, and we are deeply grateful for Shihan Germán Carballo's generous willingness to visit us.

Report by Abraham Meruvia, IFK Bolivia

IFK Romania National Kata Seminar

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On the weekend of 29.09-01.10.2023, a National Kata Seminar took place at Tg. Jiu, under the auspices of IFK ROMANIA - the Knockdown Karate Federation organized by the Brandt Dojo Sports Club where 100 athletes participated under the guidance of Shihan Eddy Gabathuler 8 Dan from Switzerland. It helped us in preparing the Romanian team for next year's World Kata Championship in London. At the end of the Seminar we were happy with the promotion of Shihan Christian Hirsch to 5th Dan and Sensei Ștefan Straut to 4th dan. Thanks to the IFK international board for the promotion and the trust granted! Thanks to Shihan Eddy Gabathuler 8 Dan for all the support and the National Kata Seminar! Congratulations to the organizers team, to Senpai Marian Brandt, to all the IFK ROMANIA participants and to Senpai Roxana Tudor with her team WAKU ROMANIA (member of KWU ROMANIA since 2017) as we are delighted to have them with us, Osu!

18th IFK Kuwait Seminar 2023

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IFK Kuwait held their 18th edition of their training seminar under the guidance of Shihan Mossadek Ageli.

Country Representative Shihan Ali Al Manaseer coordinated the nine sessions over the three days focusing on all aspects of the IFK Curriculum.

Austria joined IFK as a new country member

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The IFK is pleased to welcome Austria to our organization. Shihan Zeljko Micakovic has become the Country Representative, starting Kyokushin in 1980 he spent several months at Honbu in the Uchi Deshi program in 1992/93.

IFK Austria can be contacted through their email: office@kyokushinaustria.at

New Country Representative in Venezuela

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We welcome Senpai Gustavo Henriquez as the new Country Representative of IFK Venezuela. We wish him success in growing the organisation in his country.

Gustavo will replace Senpai Hugo Luciani who has emigrated to the USA and will become part of their family by opening a branch in Georgia.

We welcome IFK Bolivia

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We welcome Bolivia back into the IFK with Senpai Abraham Meruvia Morales becoming the Country Representative. We hope to have a positive relationship and keep growing the region of South America which now has.

director@ifkbolivia.com / tel: +59176513547

Av. Juan Pablo II #3612 El Alto. La Paz, Bolivia

Osu!

Ecuador is the new country member of the IFK

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The IFK is happy to announce Ecuador has joined our family under the leadership of Senpai Erick Rivas.

We welcome Erick and hope he can form a good relationship with the neighboring countries in the Americas continent.

Contact: Erik Rivas

Loja, Loja San Sebastian Parish Lourdes Street And Bolivar, Ecuador

Tel: +593962798227

Email: erickrivas22694@gmail.com

Message from the IFK Board

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Dear IFK family,

At this challenging time, where we are all faced with differing levels of adversity, it seems an appropriate
opportunity to pause and reflect – a moment to evaluate many areas of our lives and how we live them.

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During these unprecedented times, like all families, we shall be at some point, close to, or directly
impacted, by the tragic nature that surrounds the COVID pandemic. It is during these times that we can
draw on the spirit of our Kyokushin upbringing and apply Mas Oyma’s principles – not least of all, that
‘introspection begets wisdom’. We may also draw on the Kyokushin principles of ‘patience, endurance
and perseverance’.

Many IFK countries, have in their lifetime, experienced natural disasters and war – their spirit and resolve
has ensured their survival and enabled them to gather and rebuild. This epidemic is a very serious crisis
for us all, a ‘new’ normal will eventually ensue and we shall move forward. It is without doubt that our
life, including karate, will be shaped and influenced by these current times - we will need to adapt in order
to progress.

The IFK Board are standing firm with you all in this time of difficulty and we are trying to offer support,
wherever possible, to our Country Representatives, their instructors and students. Obviously national
and international events have been suspended but we are confident that eventually we will continue our
work in promoting Kyokushin Karate under the IFK banner.

We thank you all for your continued support and hard work at many levels – take care and be safe.

Liam Keaveney (7th Dan)
For and on behalf of the IFK Board
28th April 2020

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IFK Reunion juniors taste success at French Open

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5 fighters from IFK Reunion Island were participating in French Open last week-end, with 4 podiums; 3 golds and 1 bronze.

Congratulations to all.

OSU.

NANGUET Nicolas 3rd place in (KIM DAO DOJO) 8-9 years old under 30 kg

 SEVA Radjann 1st place 8-9 years old under 40 kg (TIGER DOJO)

 PIERRE Samuel 1st place 10-11 years old over 45 kg (TIGER DOJO)

 GRUCHET Emmanuelle 1st place 10-11 years old under 35 kg (TIGER DOJO)

IFK Uruguay closes out 2019 with a review

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How can we summarize a great year for a small Martial Arts organization?

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We accomplished the main goal of enhancing the training of all our instructors in every IFK technical area as well as with our referees to continue improving the work in the different competition modalities.

We had a competitor training at the highest level in San Paulo in a seminar led by the Russian Kumite National team Coach, Sensei Dimitry Savalyev, organized by IFK Brazil. Two months later, four of our instructors trained at the IFK World Seminar led by the highest ranks of our organization in the Papendal Olympic Complex in The Netherlands.

We held several national intensive weekend training sessions in Dolores and Mercedes as well as special sessions in Montevideo. We enjoyed yet another Summer Camp, the eight held in Uruguay, which by now has already become a classic. Trainings included sessions in the sand dunes, beach, forest and at night surrounding a fire; ending with the promotion of a new kuro obi.

Our National Team competed in five tournaments at national, regional and international level:
- April: IFK Kata World Tournament in Arnhem, organized by IFK Netherlands.
- May: Kanku Cap in Montevideo, organized by Kyokukaikan.
- August: 5th IFK Uruguay National Tournament in Montevideo, organized by IFK Uruguay.
- October: 4th South American Tournament in Valparaíso, organized by IFK Chile
- November: 1st Kenbukai Uruguay Tourament in Pinar, organized by Kenbukai Uruguay.

Lastly, we must highlight the achievement of many student that succeeded in their Kyu gradings during the six exam instances held in Soriano and Montevideo.

With the work and dedication of many, the essential support of our families and the collective spirit which is becoming stronger by the day, we are ready to start 2020 aiming for more.

For all of this, thank you very much to each one of you.
OSU!

17th IFK Kuwait Seminar with Shihan Nick Da Costa 7th Dan

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IFK Kuwait completed their 17th training camp with Shihan Nick Da Costa , held between the 5th to 7th of Dec 2019.

The experience and depth of knowledge which was presented contributed to having another successful camp for IFK Kuwait.

One of the IFK Kuwait members who went for grading during the 2019 black belt grading in the BKK Summer camp and was not successful did a second attempt during the seminar here in Kuwait, and as explained by Shihan in previous e-mail, we are glad he managed to pass this time.

IFK Uruguay Annual Meeting

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On December 16th, 2018, IFK Uruguay held its final annual meeting to review the 2018 program and define the agenda and priorities for 2019. The meeting was chaired by Sensei Germán Carballo, President of A.K.K.U. (Uruguayan Kyokushin Kai Organization) and IFK Country Representative in Uruguay.

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Attendees included:
- Senpai María Rocío Gonzalez – A.K.K.U. Secretary
- Senpai Santiago Mosco – A.K.K.U. Vice-president 
- Senpai Noelia Fabre - A.K.K.U. Treasurer
- Claudia López - A.K.K.U. International Contact
- Senpai Mario Hornos – Coordinator for Soriano
- Senpai Maite De León – Coordinator for Canelones
- Senpai Gozalo Díaz – Coordinator for Salto

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First item in the agenda was the report on the 2018 plan, which was successfully completed; followed by administrative matters, including goals for 2019.

The meeting continued with key highlights of the agenda, including:
- 8th IFK Uruguay Summer Camp, to be held in March 2019
- IFK World Seminar and Kata Championship in April 2019, with IFK Uruguay attendance and participation already confirmed.

Additional activities with dates to be scheduled included:
- National Tournament
- Kuro Obi and Kiu exams
- Kuro Obi special training sessions
- Regional seminars 
- Referee training sessions

2019 Agenda will be communicated soon! www.ifk-uruguay.com