2025 USA-IFK Summer Camp - July 18th-20th 2025

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Written by Bill Stewart

Photos by Danny Kistler

The 2025 USA-IFK Summer Camp was held July 18th-20th. This year’s camp was once again held in beautiful upstate New York and hosted by Gray Wolf Kyokushin in Holley.

Led by USA-IFK President Shihan Mike Monaco (8th Dan), the 2025 USA-IFK Summer Camp brought together over 100 karateka from across the United States. Also attending were Shihan Michael Schramm, who brought students from IFK Germany to share in a weekend of intense training.

For three days, students participated in tough training sessions covering a full gamut of Kyokushin practice. Kihon, kata, kumite, self-defense, and syllabus were all covered. An additional session for Judges/Officials was also included during the camp.

Saturday’s kumite session was led by experienced fight coaches Shihan Scott Haug (5th Dan), Shihan Sean Schenker (5th Dan), and Sensei Karl Biedlingmaier (4th Dan). Together, they shared their decades of combined experience helping students improve their footwork and striking as well as strategy and tactics.

The USA-IFK continues to stress the importance of cultivating knowledgeable officials within our organization and had a dedicated session. The session was led by Shihan Jerry Poe (5th Dan) (Chairman of USA-IFKK Officials Committee), Shihan Greg Stokelin (6th Dan), and Senpai Rebecca Haskel (2nd Dan). The session included live demonstration bouts judged by three members of the USA-IFK Fight Team: Senpai Lyric Schenker and Senpai Caitlyn Anderson working corners, and Senpai Mason Salvestrini serving as center referee. All three are experienced national and international competitors.

After a very full day, the warmup for the Saturday evening session was led by experienced yoga teacher Angie Poe. She shared a yoga-based stretching and breathwork routine.

On Sunday afternoon, the weekend concluded with a three-hour grading. The grading was led by Shihan David Sheets (5th Dan), USA-IFK Technical Director and Chairman of USA-IFK Grading Committee. Candidates were required to demonstrate knowledge, skill, and understanding of IFK-Kyokushin. Most importantly, they all had to demonstrate the thing that Kyokushin is most known for… The spirit of OSU! Congratulations to the following successful candidates:

• Senpai Lyric Schenker - Nidan

• Senpai Greg Johnson - Nidan

• Senpai Lucas Geller - Shodan

• Senpai Mason Salvestrini - Shodan

• Senpai Edward Hufnagel - Shodan

Shihan Monaco wishes to express his appreciation to the USA-IFK Strategy Team, who coordinated the camp, the instructors and officials who volunteered their time and expertise, and most of all, the students. You’re the reason we do what we do!

Osu!


32nd American International Karate Championships - 9th November 2024

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Osu! The 32nd American International Karate Championships (AIKC) took place on November 9th, 2024, in Holley, New York. As the longest-running knockdown tournament in North America, the AIKC continues to maintain its standing as one of the premier Kyokushin events in the United States.

 This year's tournament featured participants from 31 dojos across five countries. With karateka from the USA, Canada, Mongolia, Israel, and Kyrgyzstan, the event was a great day of competition and camaraderie.

 With 364 event entries, the competition offered numerous opportunities for participants to showcase their skills. Divisions included Knockdown, Semi-Contact, Open-Hand Kata, and Weapons Kata. Full-contact Knockdown fighting, for which Kyokushin is renowned, was particularly thrilling for spectators as fighters demonstrated exceptional endurance, technique, and resilience.

 Knockdown Results

 Male Open Lightweight Division (-70kg):

  • 1st Place: Taylor Haug (S&S Fitness and Martial Arts Center, USA)

  • 2nd Place: Nathan Smyl (Kanku Dojo, USA)

  • 3rd Place: Jack Dunphy (Fighting Spirit Karate Dojo, USA)

 Male Open Middleweight Division (-80kg):

  • 1st Place: Francois Presseault (Karate Mascouche, Canada)

  • 2nd Place: Jack Sweeney (S&S Fitness and Martial Arts Center, USA)

  • 3rd Place: John Brownridge (Kyokushin Karate Club, USA)

 Female Open Division:

  • 1st Place: Audrey Bartholomay (S&S Fitness and Martial Arts Center, USA)

  • 2nd Place: Berenisse In (McCreery Karate-Do Kyokushinkai, USA)

  • 3rd Place: Veronica Williams (American Vital Karate, USA)

 Male Veterans Heavyweight Division (+85kg):

  • 1st Place: Hassan Jomaa (Maximum Training Centre, Canada)

  • 2nd Place: Daniel In (McCreery Karate-Do Kyokushinkai, USA)

Male Open Super Heavyweight Division (+90kg):

  • 1st Place: Joel Bilodeau (Karate Mascouche, Canada)

  • 2nd Place: Байэль Шерматов (Shevchenko, Kyrgyzstan)

 USA-IFK President, Shihan Michael Monaco, and AIKC Tournament Director, Sensei Karl Biedlingmaier, wish to express their appreciation to the many volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything possible. They also thank the numerous martial arts schools and organizations that have supported and continue to support the American International Karate Championships each year.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2025 for another unforgettable day of karate excellence at the 33rd AIKC!

 The USA-IFK’s next event is the 7th Annual United States International Kyokushin Championship, set for February 1st, 2025, at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. For more information and registration, please visit uskyokushin.com. Don’t miss it!

 Osu!

 

IFK Aruba Spring Kyokushin Camp - 2024

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Sensei Zairo Ruiz & Senpai Brian Marchena (IFK Aruba) welcomed Shihan Sean Schenker (USA IFK) & Senpai Jonathan Gonzalez (IFK Costa Rica) to lead the 2024 Aruba Spring training camp. Approximately 50 students of all kyu ranks attended this year's 4-day camp. Hard work, sweat, brother/sisterhood, memorable locations and detailed IFK training were part of the overall experience. The three integral pillars of the IFK (Kihon, Kata, Kumite) were all covered in detail and dedicated to the spirit of the IFK.

Shihan Sean Schenker (5th dan) conveyed his experience on our beautiful island and the enthusiasm which he could feel from all participants at the camp which he led together with multiple International Kyokushin tournaments champion Senpai Jonathan Gonzalez.

The camp ended with Shihan Schenker, Sensei Zairo & Senpai Brian greeting Mr. Jan Hendrik (Endy) Croes, Minister of Education & Sports of Aruba, each receiving the prestigious 4D medal of Aruba from the minister himself:

  • Desire

  • Dedication

  • Discipline

  • Determination

Organized by Tokon Dojo, this was the camp’s second year of many more to come. Our gratitude goes to Sensei Zairo Ruiz (Country Representative IFK Aruba and main instructor Tokon Dojo Aruba) and Senpai Brian Marchena (Instructor Tokon Dojo Aruba) for putting together another amazing camp!

Special thanks to Shihan Monaco for his guidance in opening the doors of the IFK to all. The USA IFK appreciated the opportunity to share with such an incredible dojo in Aruba, and we continue to look forward to making more Kyokushin memories together in the future.  OSU!








OSU!!

SEMINAR RECAP - GRAY WOLF DOJO, USA April 21 and 22, 2024

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The USA-IFK was blessed to have two of the top instructors in the world in the same dojo at the same time! Students were treated to instruction by a special guest of Shihan Michael Monaco, Shihan Eddy Gabathuler of IFK-Switzerland. During the two evenings, instruction on kihon, tournament fighting and street fighting was engrained into the student through sweat and hard work. Shihan Eddy continued to press the theme, “Train Your Brain”, over and over, leaving students tired and inspired physically and mentally. Thank you both Shihan Monaco and Shihan Gabathuler for this fantastic opportunity! Osu


5th Annual United States International Kyokushin Championships

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Osu! 2024 has got off to a great start for the USA-IFK Kyokushin on Saturday, January 27th with the 5th Annual United States International Kyokushin Championships! The tournament venue was the world famous Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

It was an awesome day of competition and camaraderie and a great turnout with competitors coming from all over the United States and other countries. There were participants from 51 dojos, 22 organizations, 15 states plus Washington DC, and 7 countries including Aruba, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Mongolia, and Poland.

On behalf of USA-IFK President Shihan Mike Monaco (8th dan) and Chairman Shihan Sean Schenker (5th dan) we would like to thank all the competitors, spectators, along with the officials, staff, and members of our USA-IFK family for their support. No event of this magnitude happens without the help of those both in front of and behind the scenes. A big OSU to all of you! We also want to once again thank our special guest Shihan Ted Oyama! OSU!

5th Annual United States International Kyokushin Championships

Knockdown Results

FK-01 Male Lightweight Division (-70kg)

1. Jack Dunphy USA IFK-Fighting Spirit Dojo

2. Daymar Brown USA Zhang Sah Martial Arts

3. Ramazan Isliamov USA Kyokushin Fight Club

FK-02 Male Middleweight Division (-80kg)

1. Jack Sweeney USA IFK-S&S Fitness & Martial Arts

2. Sebastian Bonislawski USA Kanku Dojo

FK-04 Male Super Heavyweight (+89kg) Division

1. Jonathan Gonzalez Costa Rica IFK Martial Arts and Training Center

2. Hannes Drechsler Germany IFK Germany

3. Harun Abdur-Rahim United States IFK-Endicott Kyokushin Karate

4. Andronov Vyacheslav United States Dallas Kyokushin Karate

FK-06 Female Heavyweight Division (+60kg)

1. Audrey Bartholomay USA IFK-S&S Fitness & Martial Arts

2. Alanna Olive-Smith USA Capital Kyokushin-Kan

3. Jessica Krause Germany IFK Germany

Female Lightweight Division

1. Jessica Krause Germany IFK Germany

2. Lyric Schenker USA IFK-Fighting Spirit Dojo

FK-08 Male Veterans Middleweight Division (-85kg)

1. Ociesielski Marek USA Seiken-Dojo

2. Kevin Felix USA James Dojo

FK-08A Male Seniors Middleweight Division (-85kg)

1. Tomasz Puzon Poland IKO Nakamura

2. Luigi Fioravanti USA Central Florida Kyokushin

FK-09 Male Veterans Heavyweight +85 kilos

1. Robert Grant USA Forge Dojo

2. Shemallian Arrieta USA Central Florida Kyokushin

3. Jaroslaw Kurowicki USA Seiken-Dojo


The 31st American International Karate Championship

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The 31st American International Karate Championships were held on Saturday, November 11th, 2023 in Holley, New York.  This renowned event is hosted by Shihan Michael Monaco (8th dan) and supported by the USA-IFK Kyokushin organization. Held annually, the AIKC attracts competitors from around the United States and Canada, as well as other countries.  This years tournament saw more than 250 competitors competing in kata, weapons, semi-contact (knockdown rules with equipment), and knockdown. There were more than 750 spectators there to cheer them on.

 

No tournament is successful without the help of volunteers. USA-IFK President, Shihan Michael Monaco and AIKC Tournament Director Sensei Karl Biedlingmaier, wish to thank the multitude of volunteers who helped behind the scenes and made it all possible. We also wish to thank the many martial arts schools and organizations that continue to support the American International Karate Championships every year.

 

Coming up next for USA-IFK Kyokushin will be the 5th Annual United States International Kyokushin Championships on Saturday, January 27th, 2024 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Online registration will open soon. Visit uskyokushin.com .

IFK USA - Battle on the Boardwalk 5 - Saturday January 27th 2024

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USA-IFK PRESENTS

United States International Kyokushin Championships 

"Battle on the Boardwalk 5"

Saturday, January 27th, 2024

Tropicana Hotel - Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Early Bird Registration Begins: MONDAY NOVEMBER 13th, 2023 

at www.uskyokushin.com

We will have divisions in Kata, Semi-Contact & Full-Contact weight divisions.

The 2023 USA-IFK Summer Camp

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Karatekas joined in Holley, NY to train at the multiple scenic locations of Letchworth State Park, Hamlin Beach Park, and Gray Wolf Martial Arts Dojo. 

 This years edition of the summer camp focused mainly on ‘rhythmic’ training as adopted by Hanshi Arneil for training within Kihon and Kata. 

 The camp also included Kumite sessions and ended with a Dan test where the following candidates below successfully passed and achieved new rank. 

 We would like to express our gratitude to Shihan Monaco for his teaching and dedication to the USA-IFK organization, and the entire International IFK for their continued support. 

 Dan Testing Candidates:

 David Sheets (Godan)

Brian Walsh (Shodan)

Summer King-Barra (Shodan)

Andrew Balaban (Shodan) 

IFK Aruba Training Camp 2023

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Shihan Monaco led an inspiring 4-day camp this past weekend in Aruba at the Tokan IFK Dojo. The training consisted of multiple training sessions in the IFK Aruba Tokan dojo, on the beach for morning sunrise & sunset sessions, cliff sessions, in the water ocean training, IFK Kihon, Kata, Syllabus and Kumite. Shihan Sean Schenker & Shihan Jerry Poe assisted with the amazing training camp, (along with Shihan Lacie of Aruba) and the students of Aruba gave it their all & showed incredible hospitality to the USA IFK.

The camp ended on Sunday with a fantastic grading where 3 students all received promotion:

Sensei Zairo Ruiz (3rd Dan)

Senpai Greg Helder (1st Dan)

Derek Schenker (3rd Kyu)

Thank you to Sensei Zairo & Senpai Brian and the Tokan students and families for their warm welcome & generosity of spirit and time.

OSU!