IFK Dan Promotions

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We are pleased to announce that Shihan David Pickthall (IFK President) on behalf of the IFK Board announced the following Dan Promotions at K2 on 1st October 2022.

8th Dan

Alex Kerrigan and Liam Keaveney

6th Dan

Paul Baker, Martin Okeleke,

David Jones and John Moulden

5th Dan

Stephen Davies and Wai Cheung

The ceremony of awarding the new grades took place during the official opening of the 44th British Open Knockdown Tournament 2022 incorporating the 12th Cup of Europe at K2 Crawley on the 1st of October.

The event was the largest knockdown championship the BKK has hosted with 270 participants. We hope that the introduction of the youth categories will inspire future karateka. The Cup of Europe demonstrated that this pathway is how BKK will build athletes of the future with their Champions.

Congratulations! Osu!

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!

IFK Western European Championships – Registration

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The 2022 IFK Western European Championships 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡

IFK Netherlands invites you to participate in the IFK WESTERN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS on the 5th of November in Zevenbergen, the Netherlands.

Registration can now be done using the form on the website following the link below. The deadline is October 15th, so make sure to be on time.

www.nka-ifk.nl/ifk-west-european-championships

IFK Switzerland Summer Camp

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From the 23rd till 26th The IFK Switzerland summer camp took place in July at the sports center in Willisau.

97 athletes from 11 dojos and ages 8 to 66 set off to deepen their knowledge of Kihon, Kata, and Kumite in groups and under the expert guidance of various Sempais, Senseis and Shihans. The weather was good for the camp and so they sweat a lot. Everyone could benefit from new training methods and ideas and expand their knowledge.

All brown and black belts were also given the opportunity to expand their skills as part of a refereeing course on Sunday evening.
On Monday afternoon, like every year, a 30-man Kumite took place, with big and small fighting each other with much respect and spirit. In the evening, the reward was followed by the Sayonara Party – which also marked the 25th anniversary of IFK Switzerland this year. So Mr. and Mrs. Karateka threw themselves in the bowl and spent the evening with great food and good company. The examiners organized a supporting program, which was varied and amusing throughout the evening. In addition, many old and newer photos have highlighted the highlights of the last 25 years.

After a final training on Tuesday morning and the graduations, the training camp, unfortunately, came to an end again.

We congratulate all the students on their performance:

Kohai Maximilian Blum, 2. Kyu
Kohai Lea Weber, 2. Kyu
Kohai Angela Egli, 1. Kyu
Sempai Peter Ammann, 1. DAN
Sempai Mirjam Bucher, 1. DAN
Sempai Ismael Diez, 1. DAN
Sempai Christian Ettlin, 1. DAN
Sempai Larissa Krummenacher, 1. DAN
Sempai Sina Burri, 2. DAN
Sempai Angela Felber, 2. DAN
Sempai Ramon Pfändler, 2. DAN
Sensei Philipp Hartmann, 3. DAN
Sensei Simon Zurfluh, 3. DAN

In addition, the IFK Switzerland and the World Federation awarded the following graduations:
Sensei Fritz Trautmann, 4. DAN
Sensei Alexandra Tabord, 4. DAN
Shihan Michel Estermann, 5. DAN
Shihan Melania Garcia, 5. DAN
Shihan Rolf Imhof, 5. DAN
Shihan Heinz Muntwyler, 5. DAN
Shihan Toni Gansner, 6. DAN

We congratulate all graduates and thank you for your dedication to the IFK.

We look forward to seeing you all next year from the 22nd. – 25. July 2023 to be seen again in summer camp.

OSU!

IFK Switzerland

Photos at: https://ifk-schweiz.ch/ifk-schweiz-sommerlager/

IFK USA Summer camp 2022

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The USA-IFK held their annual summer camp from July 21st to 24th, led by Shihan David Pickthall, President of the IFK (7th Dan)

On July 21st the Summer Camp began at Gray Wolf Martial Arts in Holley, NY before transitioning to Fighting Spirit Karate in Gardiner, NY for the remaining three days.

Shihan David led a total of 11 training sessions, including Kihon, Kata, and Kumite. Around 75 different participants from 4 Countries attended the camp over the four days of training including Shihan Michael Monaco, USA-IFK President & IFK Board Member (8th Dan).

Camp ended with Dan Grading where 16 candidates from 3 countries successfully passed for the following grades:

Sandan:
Sensei Michael Brotchie (UK)
Sensei Mike Thireos (USA)
Sensei Jack Welsh (USA)

Nidan:
Senpai Reggie Gold (USA)
Senpai Tuari Schenker (USA)
Senpai Lisa Cook (USA)
Senpai Kaitlyn Cook (USA)
Senpai Wojtek Arentewicz (USA)
Senpai Dae'Shaun Moore (USA)

Shodan:
Senpai Benjamin Shannon (USA)
Senpai Asher Rosen (USA)
Senpai Lyric Schenker (USA)
Senpai Jack Dunphy (USA)
Senpai McDarren Paschal (USA)
Senpai Brian Marchena (ARUBA)
Senpai Richa Rai (USA)

The USA-IFK would Like to Thank Shihan David, Shihan Monaco, the Entire IFK Organization, and USA-IFK Staff for making this year's camp a possibility.

Shihan David Pickthall Zoom

Shihan David Pickthall Autograph

Photos by USA-IFKK, Bill Steward and Tom Dunphy

USA IFK Summer Camp Zoom training with Shihan David Pickthall

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First-ever worldwide chance to train alongside one of the greatest Kyokushin teachers in an exclusive ifk online ZOOM Kumite session during the USA IFK Summer Camp!

IFK Online World-Wide Zoom Exclusive Kumite Training with the IFK President Shihan David Pickthall

*Followed by a short, moderated live Q&A

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2022

3:30 PM USA-Eastern Standard Time

Open to IFK and practitioners from all over the world, please join the exclusive Kumite training session to be held live online during the upcoming July USA IFK SUMMER CAMP. Do not miss the opportunity to train with one of the world's best! Osu!

Must register here to receive the exclusive USA IFK ZOOM link: bit.ly/Registration-Training-Shihan-David

IFK Bulgaria Summer Camp 2022

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IFK Bulgaria held an International Kyokushin Karate Summer Camp from the 1st to the 8th of July with chief instructors Shihan David Pickthall, 7 dan, President of IFK, and Sensei Emma Markwell, 4 dan, world, and European Kumite champion. A special guest at the camp was Shihan Eddy Gabathuler, 7 Dan, IFK Board Member.

A total of 160 karatekas from Poland, led by Shihan Jan Wac, 5 dan, Romania led by Sensei Christian Hirsch, 5 dan, and Bulgaria took part in the camp.

On 02.07, a commemoration ceremony evening was organized in memory of Hanshi Steve Arneil, 10 dan, which ended with a torchlight procession to the beach as a tribute to Hanshi.

Grading for kyu and dan degrees was held at the end of the camp.

Shihan Nikola Blagoev, 6th dan, and IFK Bulgaria thank Shihan David, Shihan Eddy, and Sensei Emma for the efforts they make for the development of IFK in Bulgaria and the region.

Courtesy of Prestige 96, sweet treats were provided each day to the delight of all participants. Thanks for your support!

More pictures and videos here: facebook.com/IFK.Bulgaria

In Remembrance of Hanshi Steve Arneil

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On the first anniversary of the passing of our Founder Hanshi Steve Arneil, I ask you to spend some time today reflecting on what this great man has given the IFK.

As a direct student of Sosai Oyama, he was a leader who was at the forefront of the growth of Kyokushin in the 70s and 80s throughout Europe.

For nearly thirty years Hanshi developed the IFK to become what it is today: a truly global federation of likeminded Karateka that have mutual respect for one another regardless of gender, ethnicity, or grade.

Today we will mourn the loss of Hanshi Arneil knowing he lives on in the members of his organization, the IFK.

OSU

Shihan David Pickthall

6. IFK World championships 2022 final statement

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The 6th IFK World championships were held on 4 and 5 June in Valencia, Spain. Fighters participated in 4 age groups: U16, U18, U21, and men and women. In the document below you can find the final results and protocols of all categories.

Szolnok Cup 2022

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The IFK Executive board met at the 6th IFK World Championships

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The IFK Executive board met at the 6th IFK World Championships to discuss plans and strategies for the future of the IFK.

The board then met with the IFK Country Representatives to update them on several strategic aims.

We are pleased to announce that Shihan Shane Lalor was appointed as the Secretary-General of the IFK after Shihan Liam Keaveney's retirement.

The 7th IFK CUP UAE 2022

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The National Championship 7th IFK CUP was held in UAE on the 20th of May with over 250 competitors in kumite and kata. Guest of honor Shihan David Pickthall was there to open the event and give prizes.

We congratulate all the prize winners and thank the Country Representative Sensei Shamseer CK and his team for a well-run tournament.

1st Indo-Nepal IFK Karate Championship 2022

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From the 6th to the 8th of May 2022, the 1st Indo-Nepal IFK Karate Championship took place in the city of Kathmandu, Nepal. 18 fighters from India took part, 5 of them won gold medals and the rest silver medals. The best fighter from India became Mr.Ranojay Dey. Nepal participants also did quite well.

We congratulate all participants and wish them good luck in future events.

IFK Swiss Kyokushinkai 19th Budo Training Day

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On Saturday, May 21, 2022, Shihan Eddy Gabathuler, 7th Dan, organized the 19th day of Budo training, which was held in the gym in Felsberg.

The training was structured as follows: 09:30 to 11:30 kihon and test combinations in groups, 12:30 to 14:30 katas in groups, and 16:30 to 17:00 fight training and fights in three groups. These were divided into over and under 16-year-olds, whereby the under 16-year-olds were divided into two groups (white belt up to 7th kyu and from 6th kyu). The following karatekas served as instructors:

Shihan Klaus Ming, 7th DAN

Shihan Toni Gansner, 5th DAN

Shihan Roland Juric, 5th DAN

Sensei Rolf Imhof, 4th DAN

Sensei Fritz Trautmann, 3rd DAN

Senpai Claudia Schlegel, 1st DAN

A total of 96 karatekas from 10 dojos of IFK Switzerland Kyokushinkai took part in the training sessions. We thank the instructors and the karatekas for their numerous appearance and their sweaty effort. We hope that they will again participate in large numbers in 2023 – OSU.