KWU Seminars with IFK instructor

The KWU held training seminars across South America for the last few weeks with IFK Argentina, IFK Chile and IFK Brazil assisting with organising venues across the region. General Secretary Sensei Alexander Pichkunov and IFK Russia St Petersburg Instructor Sensei Dmitry Savelyev were invited to hold training sessions and meeting with representatives of KWU and other organisational heads in these countries.

From January 19 to January 21, 2019, for the first time, an open Kyokushin training seminar in Argentina was organised by Shihan Romero with the support of the KWU and National Federation ‘KWU Argentina’. This seminar was attended by the heads and athletes from Kyokushin organizations of Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Then Sensei Dmitry travelled to Chile to Senpai Caru and held sessions with both Chilean and Bolivian students from the 21st -24th January in Valparaiso.

 His final leg of the journey was to Sao Paulo, Brazil to IFK Rep Sensei Jeovaldo Barreto from 25th -27th January. This had a large turnout with many organisations and also students from IFK Uruguay willing to come together and work for a common goal.

#timetobeunited

First special item 2019 agenda for IFK Uruguay

On Saturday January 26th 2019 kuro obis of Uruguay, including State representatives coming from Salto, Soriano and Canelones joined black belts from Montevideo to participate in the first special training session of 2019.

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For over 3 hours, under the watchful eye of Sensei German Carballo, Country Representative of IFK Uruguay, kuro obis worked on stances, strikes and bunkai among other formal aspects of the IFK Syllabus.

On an international level, IFK Uruguay is being represented by Nicolas Dagys in the Kumite Seminar led by the Russian coach and world champion Sensei Dmitry Savelyev held in São Paulo, Brazil - part of the KWU South America trip.

2019 agenda continues with the referees training session, which will focus on IFK kumite rules -  activity scheduled for Februay 23rd; along with special ongoing sessions focused on kata for the national team who will compete in the IFK World Kata Tournment next April.

IFK Bulgaria Summer Camp 2018 held in Primorsko

IFK Bulgaria hosted their Summer Camp in Primorsko by the Black Sea from the 27th June to 4th July with approximately 150 students attending the course, led in the main by Shihan David Pickthall with instruction also from Country Representative Nikola Blagoev and also guest fighting sessions from Senpai Aneta Meskauskiene of IFK Ireland.

We also had Romanian students attending including CR Sensei Christian Hirsch and Irish representation from Senpai Emilia Cahill and family, and Senpai Maciej Solarski of KWF Ireland

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IFK Kuwait 15th training camp with Shihan Terry Prescott

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We have completed our 15th training camp with Shihan Terry Prescott, it was held between the 8th to 10th of March 2018.

The level of techniques and spirit which Shihan Terry gave made this camp another successful camp of IFK Kuwait.

We are very proud to be instructed by Shihan Terry from the BKK and we look forward for more training with him in the near future.

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Christian Nugent (1958-2018)

With deep sadness we announce the passing of the Christian Nugent the Country Representative of the Reunion Islands. 

Originally a Godan in Shotokan Christian joined the IFK in 2013 working with the representative in Mauritius to integrate into the organisation he became a Nidan in Kyokushin in 2016.

Our condolences are with the family at this difficult time.

1958-2018

RIP

Happy New Year across the world!

A new year, a new start, and way to go. The IFK wishes you all a successful and glorious New Year!

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3rd KWU World Tournament, held in Ekaterinburg, Russia

WHAT A SHOW!

As the IFK reflect on the success of the 3rd KWU World Championships in Ekaterinburg we can only marvel at the work of the organisers.

This event has set the bar as to where we would aim to be if we achieved Olympic status and it shows we are more than capable of doing it. The opening ceremony was an extravaganza of colour and sound that brought the stadium to life and we thank both the organisers and the creative directors for their vision.

This 3rd edition of the championships showed the KWU is learning from their mistakes in the past.  Competitor check-in procedures were slicker, judging seminars focused on the main issues and as in so many events we didn't witness lots of long speeches by the dignitaries. The athletes were the stars and they rightly took centre stage.

242 competitors from 48 countries meant the majority of the weight categories had solid participation.

Of course the KWU could achieve much higher numbers by allowing more than one participant from a country in each division but this would defeat their aim. We all hold our own championships with our own rules, weights and participation levels. This must be different, the five kilogram categories are suitable for an Olympic programme and as with the other combat sports we follow the example of one athlete per country.

It is interesting to note that for Karate in the 2020 Olympics it is scheduled for each of the six weight categories to have a maximum of 10 athletes only. At the KWU Championships thirteen of fifteen categories achieved more than that number.

Focusing on the performance of the IFK once again we must be proud to have played a major role in its success. We had 52 fighters from 17 countries and topped the medal table with 6 different countries achieving prizes.

Of course our major contributor was the top team in the championships Russia, but we also gained medals from Great Britain, Ireland, Iran, Belarus and an amazing gold from Greece!

Emma Markwell - Silver medal winner

Maria Papadopoulou - Gold medal winner

Time to be United!

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Shihan Koos van Berkel

On behalf of the IFK Executive Board I would like to express our sadness of the news that Shihan Koos van Berkel has passed away.

Shihan Koos started his journey in Kyokushinkai Karate in the early sixties. He was a Country Representative for the IFK in the Netherlands for many years and was deeply respected by martial artists around the globe.

I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of Shihan Koos.

Hanshi Steve Arneil

President IFK Kyokushin

KWUCAMP: Reports from KWF and INTERNATIONAL KYOKUSHIN SUMMER CAMP VARNA 2017

On 2-9 July 2017 the biggest in the World, International Kyokushin Summer Camp was held.

Nearly 1300 participants, representing IFK, Kan, KWF and AKR, were accommodated in six hotels and practiced at the Kamchiya Sports Center. The opening of the camp was made by: Sports Minister of Bulgaria Krasen Kralev, shihan Andre Drewniak, shihan Dawid Pickthall and shihan Ivo Kamenov (main organizer). The program included two obligatory training sessions per day, at 8am and 6pm.

The participants were grouped as follows: black belts, brown and green belts, yellow and blue belts, children and a separate group of fighters. Volunteers could also take part in a Iaido sword training.

Training sessions for black and brown belts were run daily by shihan A. Drewniak (KWF) and shihan D. Pickthall (IFK). World champions Zahari Damyanov (Kan) and Sergey Plekhanov (KWF) as well as other Bulgarian masters, such as shihan Asen Asenov, shihan Marin Mitev, sensei Nikolay Rachev and senpai Petar Martinov, led sessions for the sports group and others.

Shihan Ramil Gabbasov conducted daily training classes for 80 international KWU judges.

The Professional Grand Prix of Bulgaria was held on 5 July. The President of WFKO Aleksander Tanyushkin from Moscow opened the event and the main judge was shihan Andrey Bura. Fighters fought five rounds of 2 minutes each, with a minute’s rest. The first match was won by Aleksander Drozd (Russia) who defeated Andrey Andreev (Bulgaria). The second one was won by Nikolay Yorgov (Bulgaria) who defeated Naoki Morita (Japan). The organizer was the Kyokushin Bulgarian Federation led by shihan I. Kamenov.

Shihan Hatsuo Royama came at the end of the camp to take part in the International Youth Tournament, dan exams and a farewell photo session.

On 7 July was held the International KWU Youth Tournament “Varna Cup” with the participation of about 130 fighters from 16 countries. The main judge was shihan R. Gabbasov and it was opened by shihan A. Drewniak on the behalf of KWU. Prizes were given by shihan H. Royama, shihan A. Drewniak, shihan M. Mitev and sensei N. Rachev. The event was organized by the Bulgarian Kyokushin Federation headed by shihan I. Kamenov.

On 8 July dan examinations were held, supervised by Shihan H. Royama and shihan A. Drewniak.

In the evening the official closure of the camp and a photo session took place in which participated shihan H. Royama and shihan A. Drewniak, as well as all leading instructors. Late in the evening in Varna a Sayonara party for about 400 adult participants was organized in the Rappongi Restaurant.

David Pickthall 7th Dan Promotion

Congratulations to Shihan David Pickthall who was promoted to 7th Dan by Hanshi Steve Arneil and the IFK Board at the recent World Tournament in Romania.

More information at http://gbkyokushinkai.com/newsblog/2017/7/18/david-pickthall-7th-dan-promotion

3rd IFK Tunisia seminar with Shihan David Pickthall and Sensei Moss Ageli

IFK Tunisia hosted the 3rd seminar under the guidance of Shihan David Pickthall and Sensei Moss Ageli.

The Seminar was split into three regions with sessions held in Sousse, Tunis and finishing in Kairouan course with a grading test.  All seminars were well attended with between 120-180 students in each.

Thanks must go to Country representative Sensei Fethi Nasra and his team who worked tirelessly to make the seminars a great success.

IFK Kuwait 11th Camp with Shihan Felix Ntumazah

We have completed the IFK Kuwait annual camp with Shihan Felix Ntumazah.

The camp was excellent, and Shihan Felix did everything possible to introduce to us his method of training and fighting strategy.  The camp included different groups and other martial arts. 

We also held All IFK juniors and girls sessions.

IFK Belarus Spring Seminar, and Budo Festival

IFK Belarus hosted their spring seminar with Shihan David Pickthall and conducted a Budo Festival in the city of Brest.

Over one thousand students took part over the three day seminar focusing on kihon, kata and kumite sessions. 

The Budo Festival was managed by Country Representative Dmitry Alehnovich who had seven hundred participants in their mass demonstration. The event also feature many of the different arts in the region and the Police and Army did combat demos with Kyokushin instructors.

Shihan Eddy Gabathuler was also a guest along with Country reps Shihan Oleg Sereda (Ukraine) and Sensei Dariusz Struski (Poland). Shihan Franz Slavinsky was their representing Russia and Vladimirs Talapins (Latvia)., including students form these countries at the seminar.

Slovakia joins the IFK

Sensei Péter Molnár has joined the IFK as the country representative  of IFK Slovakia forming another member of our European family.

Contact details can be found here

Welcome!

Uruguay Summer Camp 2017 with Shihan David Pickthall

The 6th Uruguay Summer Camp was held in Salinas Montevideo from the 10th-12th March under the instruction of Shihan David Pickthall. 

Participants from all the Uruguayan dojos attended along with the Country Representatives of Brazil Jeovaldo Barreto and Chile German Caru. Also in attendance was the VP of IFK Canada Jonathan Hemond and Planning committee member Pascal Hemond. Several students from these countries participated and it was good to see former Brazilian Champion and participant from the 5th World Tournament Shihan Luiz Feitoza train in the seminar. Its been 26 years since Shihan Pickthall and Feitoza fought in Japan together and the Brazilian fighters are certainly fortunate to have Shihan Luiz prepare them for our upcoming World Tournament in Romania.

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The camp featured sessions in all aspects of the IFK and finished with a dan test for the Chile participants.

Thanks must go to Sensei German Carballo for organising such a good camp with his team of Noelia Carballo, Rocio Gonzalez, Santiago Mosco and Claudia Lopez.

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IFK Belgium Winter Camp 2017

The IFK Belgium Wintercamp was held in Kasterlee from 10-12 February under the guidance of Shihan David Pickthall and Shihan Janine Davies with the assistance of Country Representative Shihan Etienne van Holt and Sutani Dojo Leader Shihan Benny Gelyukens.

Our thanks go out to the karateka from Belgium IFK, Shinkyokushin and Rengokai as well as IFK Germany, IFK Bolivia and IFK France who participated in the camp which focused on elements of Kihon, kata and Kumite.

There was a grading test at the camp. Congratulations go to Sensei Hans Broeckart 3 Dan, Senpai An Beyers and Kevin van Holt 2 Dan and Senpai Jelle Strybosch, Tine Beyers and Erwin Hoebus 1st Dans.   Sensei Dave Geentjens was also promoted to 4th Dan. Well done to all.

14th Annual Summer Camp 2017 with Shihan David Pickthall

This weekend the 14th Annual Australian Summer Camp was held in Sydney under the guidance for Shihan David Pickthall.

Over 50 students attended during the three days of intensive training focusing on Kihon, Kata and Kumite.

We thank Shihan Jim Phillips, Sensei’s Graeme Rose, Daniel Langworthy and Senpai,s Cesar Cabrera, Rodney Eve,Ben Vale, Shaun Buchanan plus their students for supporting this IFK Australia event.

All of the IFK Board were in attendance with Country Representative Jenny Fuller, Shihan Doug Turnbull and Shihan Shaharin Yussof organising the camp.

First IFK Uruguay Kyu Grading Exam of 2017

On January 7th, 2017, at the Italian Society premises in Mercedes City, the first 2017 IFK Uruguay KYU grading exam took place. 25 students from Dojos located in the cities of Mercedes, Dolores and Salto took their exams (ranging from 10th to 1st Kyu).

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The board of examiners included authorities of the Kyokushin Kai Uruguayan Association (A.K.K.U): Sensei Germán Carballo (IFK Uruguay Country Representative and A.K.K.U. President), Senpai Santiago Mosco (A.K.K.U. Vice-president), and Senpai Mario Hornos (Coordinator for Soriano).

We congratulate all the students on their performance as well as the spirit and companionship demonstrated during the exam. It´s now time to enjoy what you´ve all earned and keep moving forward!!

OSU!

Award ceremony of the 5th KWUCHAMP 2016 – pictures

The 5th KWU Kyokushin Open World Youth Championship took place in Varna, Bulgaria on December 3-4, in beautiful Palace of Culture and Sport.

666 fighters from 33 countries fought for 32 sets of medals in 3 age groups – 12-13, 14-15 and 16-17 years old.  The tournament's level of fighting, as compared to the previous Youth World Championship, has grown considerably. The girls and boys who won the right to hear the anthem of their country are a real strong future of Kyokushin karate.

Here are the pictures from winners ceremony, good emotions and happy faces, captured on photos by Andrey Kurtiy from superkarate.ru

Karate into the Olympics, and how it affects the KWU

The following is an extract of an article from KWU General Secretary, Sergey Suvorov, commenting on the inclusion of karate into the 2020 Olympics, discusses the prospect of KWU in this process.

Everyone knows that World Karate Federation WKF was repeatedly storming Olympic leadership for inclusion of karate in the programme of the Olympic Games and now, finally, the dream of the millions of karatekas all over the world came true and this kind of sports will be represented at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 year. I’d like to note immediately that this refers now only to the participation in Tokyo Olympics. There 4 more such sports as karate. This is the novation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and it deals with the reformatory strategy of the new IOC leadership and personally with the president Tomas Bach. Indeed, according to the Olympic Charter (in essence the charter of IOC) rotation of sports for every Olympics follows the principle one in – one out (one enters and another one exits the programme of the Olympic Games).However, the Olympic Session as the supreme authority has the right to solve any questions, which deal with development of Olympic movement, which was decided after the Olympic Games in Sochi-2014.  Therefore, for participation in the programme of Games 2024 WKF will have to go through the difficult voting procedure again under the condition that the country-holder of the Olympic Games will nominate this kind of sports. 

Read the rest of this article here...