KWU: We are already looking forward to the next Summer Camp

Milen Lesemann Photography

The Kyokushin World Union shared an open letter after the end of the 14th KWU International Summer Camp in Kamchia, Bulgaria.

Here it is what the organization shared to all karatekas:

“On 16-23 August 2020 was held the 14th KWU International Summer Camp in Kamchia, Bulgaria.

The global situation has drastically affected the preparation and holding of the camp. The dates were changed several times, the organizers had to keep updated with all the changes to the requirements of epidemiological safety.

But the KWU International Camp is one of the main events in the life of the world Kyokushin, which has long become a good tradition and which athletes from all over the world are always looking forward to. Given that the circumstances of this year due to the COVID-19 had already deprived athletes of the opportunity to train regularly, everyone realized that this camp would be a breath of fresh air for athletes.

That is why, despite all the difficulties, constantly changing security requirements, and limited international air traffic, the organizers did everything possible to hold the camp. All security measures were ensured: there was testing for coronavirus infection for everyone who came to the camp, each participant was given a mask, and there were disinfectant dispensers on the territory.

Roman Odessky

Thanks to all the efforts, the camp gathered 600 participants from 14 countries. Athletes from many countries in South America, Asia, and Europe, who could not come to Bulgaria, followed our training camp through our pages on Instagram and Facebook.

Despite the smaller number of participants, compared to previous years (in 2019, the camp gathered 1600 people from 28 countries), this week of the camp was very intensive, full of emotions and new knowledge for athletes.

This year's training program of the camp was particularly focused on the KWU Professional League training, where masterclasses were led by eminent K-1 athletes: Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Semmy Schilt, as well as Shihan Ivo Kamenov, Shihan Aleksandr Pichkunov.

Within the framework of the camp, two tournaments were held: the KWU Youth World Cup (18-21) and the 6th edition of the KWU Professional League SENSHI.

The KWU Youth World Cup (18-21) is the successor to the international tournament Varna Cup, which has been held since 2017. Due to the number of participants, this year the organizers decided to combine all weight categories and hold this tournament in absolute weight. 31 participants from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, Germany, Poland, and Belarus fought in the Cup. Winners received financial prizes and special awards.

On August 21, the professional fight gala-show SENSHI 6 (KWU Professional League) took place. The arena hosted bright bouts according to the rules of KWU Full Contact, KWU SENSHI, K1. Special guests and commentators of the gala evening were K-1 stars: Semmy Schilt, Ernesto Hoost, and Peter Aerts, as well as the Chairman of the KWU Professional League and Chairman of the Bulgarian Martial Arts Association Shihan Ivo Kamenov (6 dan) and the Secretary-General of the Kyokushin World Union (KWU) Shihan Aleksandr Pichkunov (5 dan). Another special guest this year was the well-known Czech karate and kickboxer Jan Soukup.

The KWU International Summer Camp is a unique platform where honored masters and famous athletes can share their experience and knowledge with younger sportsmen, where athletes not only from Kyokushin but also from kickboxing, muay thai, wrestling and other martial arts can train together, which is of great benefit for all.

We sincerely hope that in the near future, the world will defeat the coronavirus completely, and we are already looking forward to the next year when there will be no obstacles for athletes from different countries to gather in the largest training Kyokushin camp.”

Milen Lesemann Photography

Fireworks and fierce fights offered the professional fight gala night SENSHI 6

Great fights, lots of energy and tension in the ring – this is the recap of the sixth edition of the professional fighting gala evening SENSHI, which took place last night in the ancient theater of the Black Sea resort of Kamchia in Bulgaria, and was broadcast live worldwide on the American online television FITE and on Boec.com. Champions from 8 countries faced each other in the arena of SENSHI 6, and the electrifying matches and the intriguing battle card did not leave the audience’s attention even for a second.

In the opening match of the gala, the Bulgarian Daniel Getsov did not leave any chances to his opponent – the Kazakh Nurlikhan Sadvokasov, and won according to the rules of KWU FULL CONTACT in the category up to 75 kg. The second match faced Dragomir Petrov from Bulgaria against Omar Magomedov from Russia. The match was played in three rounds according to the rules of KWU FULL CONTACT and category up to 70 kg, and the victory went to the Bulgarian.

The excited audience enjoyed a match between Petar Stoykov from Bulgaria and the Englishman Andrew Turland also known at the Tornado. The two played according to the rules of KWU SENSHI, cat. up to 70 kg., and their match lasted in three rounds. The duel ended in favor of Stoykov, with which he continues to be undefeated at the gala.

On the ring, we saw another fight between fighters from Bulgaria and UK –  Nikolay Yorgov from Bulgaria and the Englishman Harry Hill. This time, however, the match ended in the first round with a victory for Yorgov, who took down his opponent in about a minute. Their fight was played by the rules of KWU FULL CONTACT in the category up to 80 kg.

In the fourth match, Merey Suyunov (Kazakhstan) and the Frenchman Jean-Paul Jaco made their debut at SENSHI 6. The two competed according to the rules of KWU FULL CONTACT in the category up to 85 kg, and Suyunov deservedly won. Another very intriguing match was between Eduard Aleksanyan (Bulgaria) and Nikola Todorovic (Serbia). Their clash took place according to the rules of K-1 in the category up to 80 kg, and the judges awarded the success of the Serb with 2: 1 vote.

In the ninth fight of the night, we saw a match between Sergey Brown from Germany and Daniel Manole (Romania). The master of Kyokushin karate Brown triumphed in the category up to 80 kg according to the rules of KWU FULL CONTACT.

The Bulgarian fighter Bogdan Shumarov and Milos Bayovic from Serbia also had an exceptional and very contested fight. The match was played according to the rules of K-1 style, category up to 75 kg. The Bulgarian fighter who won a vacated WAKO PRO European title at SENSHI 5 once again triumphed by a judge’s decision.

On SENSHI 6 we also saw a rematch. For the second time the captain of the national kickboxing team of Bulgaria and world champion of WAKO PRO in cat. up to 71.8 kg. Atanas Bozhilov faced Alin Cimpan from Romania. The two again offered a lot of spectacle to the fans, and the second clash was again won by Bozhilov. Even the great game and hard bouts between the two of them, they both demonstrated great sportsmanship after the fight was over. The match was played in K-1 style and category up to 75 kg.

The last fight of the night was between the four-time Russian kickboxing champion, two-time winner of the “Battle of Champions” tournament, and winner of the WAKO PRO World Belt in low kick style (cat. 85.1 kg) from SENSHI 5 Andrei Chekhonin and Madalin Mogos from Romania. Their fight was according to the rules of KWU FULL CONTACT in the category up to 85 kg and ended with a knockout. Chekhonin attacked with his legs and conducted multiple attacks on his opponent. With one of his hits Chekhonin stroke Mogos in the leg, he fell to the ground and the meeting ended. The intervention of the medical team was necessary, and the suspicions were about the broken leg of the Romanian. Chekhonin received one of the special prizes – “Knockout of the evening”.

Once again, special guests and commentators of the gala were the legendary kickboxing trio – K-1 champions and professional instructors of the KWU International Professional League Semmy Schilt, Ernesto Hust and Peter Arts, as well as the chairman of the league and chairman of the National Martial Arts Association in Bulgaria Shihan Ivo Kamenov (6 dan) and Shihan Alexander Pichkunov (5 dan), who is the Secretary-General of the World Kuokishin Union (KWU). Among the special guests, this time was the Czech fighting star Jan Sokup – European champion, silver medalist of the World Championship, and winner of the prestigious All-Japan tournament, and Sensei Sergey Plekhanov – silver medalist from Absolute Open championship 2003 and multiple times Russian champion. 

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Results:

Daniel Getsov won against Nurlhan Sadvokasov

Dragomir Petrov won against Omar Magomedov

Petar Stoykov won against Andrew Turland

Merey Suyunov won against Jean-Paul Jacquet

Nikolay Yorgov won against Harry Hill

Nikola Todorovic won against Eduard Aleksanyan

Atanas Bojilov  won against Alin Cimpan

Bogdan Shumarov won against Milos Bayovic

Sergej Braun won against Daniel Manole

Andrei Chekhonin  won against Madalin Mogos

Special prizes:

Best Technique: Sergej Braun

Fighting Spirit: Bogdan Shumarov

Best Knockout: Andrei Chekhonin

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Special guests for the event were the legendary K-1 Heavyweight Champions who are also instructors at the KWU International Professional League Seminars –Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Semmy Schilt.  Тhe Chairman of KWU International Professional League and head of the National combat sports association in Bulgaria Shihan Ivo Kamenov (6th degree) and the General Secretary of KWU Aleksandr Pichkunov (5th degree will also be attending the event. Special guests are the Czech superstar Jan Sokoup who is a European champion, a silver medalist from World Championship, and winner of the “All Japan” tournament and Sensei Sergey Plekhanov – silver medalist from Absolute Open championship 2003 and multiple times Russian champion. 

Last year the SENSHI fight nights introduced the rules and regulations of the KWU International Professional League.

The main goal was not only a bigger attraction to the crowd but returning to the glorious past and the traditions of Kyokushin. There were full contact fights with blows to the head, takedowns, and elbows.

The idea started with the opening SENSHI fight night. There was one fight under those rules while the second fight night produced 4 full contact bouts.

The crowd obviously loved it and the fans started to require more and more.

By the end of 2019, we witnessed SENSHI Cup – a two-day tournament that included fights conducted under the KWU SENSHI rules. There was also an exciting fight night in Varna that produced 5 fights conducted under the KWU Full Contact rules, 4 fights under the KWU SENSHI rules, and three clashes that were conducted under the K-1 rules.

KWU World Youth Cup 2020 – Results

KWU World Youth cup 2020 winners and judges

As part of the 14th KWU International Summer Camp was held the KWU Youth World Cup (18-21 y.o.), which is the successor of the International Varna Cup, held since 2017. The first international tournament Varna Cup was held in 2017 and was a success. Due to the great interest and increasing number of participating countries, in 2019 the format changed to the World Cup for young karate talents.

KWU World Youth Cup (18-21 y.o.) was held in openweight category for males and females. Each winner received a medal, a cup, a diploma, and a financial award.

Male division with 20 participants: 1st place 3000 euros, 2nd place 2000 euros and 2 third places 1000 euros each; Respectively for Female division with 11 participants: 1st place 2000 euros, 2nd place 1500 euros and 2 third places 1000 euros each.

After contested and interesting bouts – 4 bouts to the final in the male division and 3 battles to the final in women division, the winners are:

Males:                    

1. Yuriy Rusin (Ukraine)   

2. Thomas Ritter (Germany)                      

3. Vladislav Rubalskyi (Ukraine)

3. Yunus Emre Demir (Turkey)                          

Females:

1. Valeriya Lozanova (Bulgaria) 

2. Ayfer Yeter (Turkey)                             

3. Aliaksandra Kantsavenka (Belarus)        

3. Martina Chobanova (Bulgaria)

Special awards:

Best Technique: Valeria Lozanova (Bulgaria) & Yuriy Rusin (Ukraine)

Fighting spirit: Martina Chobanova (Bulgaria) & Yunus Emre Demir (Turkey)    

Best Knockout: Aliaksandra Kantsavenka (Belarus) & Atanas Lichev (Bulgaria)

Iaido traditions incorporated in the 2020 KWU Summer Camp

The 14th annual KWU Summer Camp will be taking place next week in Kamchiya, Bulgaria. The international camp is by far the biggest event in the world of Karate Kyokushin in the last 13 years.

Shihan Ivo Kamenov (6 dan) – Chairman of the KWU International Professional League and Chairman of Bulgaria’s National martial arts association.

But there is one ancient martial art that is incorporated and represented every year at the KWU International Professional League seminar and that is Iaido.

Iaido is the Japanese art of drawing, cutting, and resheathing the katana. It places a great emphasis on correctness of form, precision and efficiency of movement, and mental focus. Practitioners of the art – iaidoka – use real swords (or else replica blades which are still quite dangerous) so it is primarily a solo art.

KWU International Professional League’s mission is to bring us back to the glorious past of Kyokushin.

Just like Kyokushin, Iaido develops the power of your mental concentration. The motion in both arts is smooth and they both require great focus and stability.

Iaido practice can be as intense or as relaxed as one likes and is suitable for people of many different ages and varying fitness levels.

There’s an old saying about Iaido:

“If a man has excellent skills of Iaido, the enemy wouldn’t fight against him, leading to the victory of him without drawing the sword.”

Sosai Mas Oyama and Hanshi Steve Arneil

It’s the same in Karate Kyokushin – practice makes perfect and if you are practicing enough, there will be no need to fight your enemy or adversary, because they will be smart and wise enough not to mess with you.

The 14th annual KWU Summer Camp will include a total of 3 Iaido training sessions with Shihan Asen Asenov. The first training session will take place on August 19 (Wednesday) from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m; the second session will take place the very next day at the same time and the final one will be held on August 21 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

There is no way one can be called a fighter without proper sword knowledge and technique.

Аll you need to know about 2020 KWU International Professional League

Last year the SENSHI fight nights introduced the rules and regulations of the KWU International Professional League.

Shihan Ivo Kamenov (6 dan) – Chairman of the KWU International Professional League and Chairman of Bulgaria’s National marts arts association.

The main goal was not only a bigger attraction to the crowd but returning to the glorious past and the traditions of Kyokushin. There were full contact fights with blows to the head, takedowns, and elbows.

The idea started with the opening SENSHI fight night. There was one fight under those rules while the second fight night produced 4 full contact bouts.

The crowd obviously loved it and the fans started to require more and more.

By the end of 2019, we witnessed SENSHI Cup – a two-day tournament that included fights conducted under the KWU SENSHI rules. There was also an exciting fight night in Varna that produced 5 fights conducted under the KWU Full Contact rules, 4 fights under the KWU SENSHI rules, and three clashes that were conducted under the K-1 rules.

The pinnacle of the return of Kyokushin full contact took place this year on February 22 in Varna. The fifth SENSHI fight night produced some glorious KWU International Professional League fights. There were a number of top-notch fighters from a lot of different countries that touched down in Varna in order to face Bulgaria’s finest fighters. The proof for the increased interest in SENSHI was the fact that the renowned FITE.TV was broadcasting the show.

The coronavirus pandemic postponed the sixth edition of SENSHI fight nights.

After a few hard months of isolation, the organizers announced that SENSHI 6 will be taking place amid the 14th annual International KWU Summer Camp in August. The event will be held from August 16-23 in Kamchiya, Bulgaria.

The fight show will offer a total of 10 matches that will be conducted under the KWU SENSHI, KWU Full Contact, and K-1 rules. There will be fighters from 9 countries (Germany, England, France, Brasil, Russia, Kazakhstan, Romania and etc.)

The 2020 KWU Summer Camp will include KWU International Professional League training sessions conducted under the guidance of Shihan Aleksander Pichkunov (5 dan), Shihan Marin Mitev (6 dan) and Shihan Ivo Kamenov (6 dan) – Chairman of the KWU International Professional League and Chairman of Bulgaria’s National marts arts association. The sixth edition of SENSHI fight night will take place on Friday (21.08), while the degree promotion exams will take place the very next day from 8 to 12 a.m.

The remaining instructors that will be taking part in the 2020 KWU Summer Camp are Shihan Asen Asenov (6 dan), Shihan Ramil Gabbasov (5 dan), Sensei Zahari Damyanov (4 dan).

Once again, special guests of the KWU International Professional League seminar will be the kickboxing legends Semmy Schilt, Peter Aerts and Ernesto Hoost.

Here’s a quick reminder of what is prohibited and what is allowed under the regulations of the KWU International Professional League.

KWU SENSHI Full Contact:

What’s allowed: all kinds of boxing punches, spinning back fist, all kinds of kicks; one knee kick to the head after a two-handed grab; clinching up to 5 seconds; sweep kicks; leg grab and kick without pulling or pushing the opponent.

What’s forbidden: strikes to the groin, the back of the head, the spine, with the inside of the glove; strikes to the knee joint; headbutts; hitting fallen opponent; hitting while lying down, elbow strikes; throws; groundwork; choking; biting;

KWU SENSHI:

What’s allowed: all kinds of boxing punches, spinning back fist, all kinds of kicks; one knee kick to the head after a two-handed grab; clinching up to 5 seconds; sweep kicks; leg grab and a strike; elbow strikes, throws.

What’s forbidden: strikes to the groin, the back of the head, the spine, with the inside of the glove; strikes to the knee joint; headbutts; grabbing the head of the opponent with one hand and hitting it with the elbow of the other hand; hitting fallen opponent; hitting while lying down; groundwork; choking; biting;

KWU OPEN:

What’s allowed: all kinds of boxing punches, spinning back fist, all kinds of kicks; clinching up to 10 seconds; sweep kicks; leg grab and a strike; elbow strikes, throws; groundwork twice up to 30 seconds per round; choking on the ground; locks on the ground (of the leg only on the Achilles, without twisting the ankle or knee joint); strikes with arms or knees to the body only on the ground.

What’s forbidden: strikes to the groin, the back of the head, the spine, with the inside of the glove; strikes to the knee joint; headbutts; hitting a fallen opponent from a guard; attacking with elbows and knees in the head on the ground; biting; throws that cause the opponent to fall on his head and along the spine with falling on the opponent.