Armenian Cup 2019

On April 7, Kyokushin Karate Federation of Armenia headed by IFK BC Andranik Hakobyan held its annual "Armenian Cup" in Ashtarak city.

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The prize winners of this championship will have an opportunity to take part in β€œGrand Prix” International Championship to be held in Yerevan on April 21.

IFK Uruguay Summer Camp 2019

The 8th Uruguay Summer Camp was held in the Military Vacation facilities in Salinas on March 15, 16 & 17.
The Summer Camp was organized by the Uruguayan Kyokushin Kai Association A.K.K.U., and technically led by Sensei GermΓ‘n Carballo 4th Dan (Uruguay IFK Country Representative).

With over 30 participants, all the dojos from Uruguay were present, including students and instructors from Montevideo, Canelones, Soriano and Salto.

Nine trainings took place focusing on technique as well as physical conditioning and strengthening in several different locations including the beach (both in the water and sand), the woods, as well as indoor. A special technical training for advanced grades (as from 3rd kyu) was held covering advanced katas.

As usual, the Camp included KYU and KURO OBI (1st dan) gradings, the 20-kumite challenge for Kuro Obis who successfully obtained their 1st dan during 2018, and the addition of the 25-kumite challenge for Ni Dans.

 

As an organization, A.K.K.U. is proud to present the new grades: 

- Clara Monteiro (Red 10th Kyu)

- Victoria Villano (Blue 8th Kyu)

- Agustina Latorre (Blue 8th Kyu)

- Juliana Latorre (Blue 8th Kyu)

- Mauricio Nesteruk (Blue 7th Kyu) 

- FΓ‘tima Parra (Yellow 6th Kyu)

- Oscar Pricoli (Yellow 6th Kyu)

- Gabriel Fernandez (Yellow 6th Kyu)

- Juan Pablo Bianchi (Green 4th Kyu)

- Guzman CenturiΓ³n (Green 3rd Kyu)

- CΓ©sar Acosta (Black 1st Dan)

The kuro obis (1st Dan) who succeeded in the 20 Kumite challenge during the camp were as follows: 

- Senpai Alvaro NuΓ±ez

- Senpai Gonzalo Bentancur

- Senpai CΓ©sar Acosta


Kuro Obis (2nd Dan) who succeeded in the 25 Kumite challenge were:

- Senpai Noelia Fabre
- Senpai Santiago Mosco  

 A.K.K.U. would like to thank the everyone's effort to be a part of this event.

www.ifk-uruguay.com 

IFK Uruguay Annual Meeting

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 GermΓ‘n Carballo, President of A.K.K.U. (Uruguayan Kyokushin Kai Organization) and IFK Country Representative in Uruguay.

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Attendees included:
- Senpai MarΓ­a RocΓ­o Gonzalez – A.K.K.U. Secretary
- Senpai Santiago Mosco – A.K.K.U. Vice-president 
- Senpai Noelia Fabre - A.K.K.U. Treasurer
- Claudia LΓ³pez - A.K.K.U. International Contact
- Senpai Mario Hornos – Coordinator for Soriano
- Senpai Maite De LeΓ³n – Coordinator for Canelones
- Senpai Gozalo DΓ­az – 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.comο»Ώ

Zahari Damyanov UK seminar

On the 23rd February 2019, Sensei Zahari Damyanov, the current absolute World Champion was in London to lead an open seminar hosted by the BKK’s Sensei Hristo Lyubenov at his Ichi Geki dojo in Bounds Green, alongside BKK Chairman and IFK Secretary General, Shihan Liam Keaveney.

The seminar was attended by a number of Kyokushin groups (BKK, IFK, Kyokushin-kan, Shinkyokushin,IKO1, KWU, EMAR) all with a common goal of knowledge sharing, developing Kyokushinkai, and building strong friendships old and new.

(L-R) Shihan Liam Keaveney, Sensei Zahari Damyanov, Sensei Hristo Lyubenov

(L-R) Shihan Liam Keaveney, Sensei Zahari Damyanov, Sensei Hristo Lyubenov

Sensei Zarahi Damyanov with BKK National Coaches Sensei Kenny Jarvis, and Sensei Wai Cheung

Sensei Zarahi Damyanov with BKK National Coaches Sensei Kenny Jarvis, and Sensei Wai Cheung

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.

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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 β€˜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.

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 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.

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#timetobeunited

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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 SΓ£o 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 Uruguay IV National Tournament 2018 and Results

On Sunday August 5th, the IV I.F.K. Uruguay National Tournament was held in the Praga Club facilities in Mercedes City.

Over 70 athletes from several cities across the country took part, competing in different categories: Kata, Kumite against a sandbag (6 - 9 years old) & Kumite Knockdown -juniors, cadets and adults- according to official I.F.K. rules.

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The Tournament was declared of State Interest by the Municipal Board of Soriano, and was a qualifying instance for the I.F.K. Under-21 South America Tournament to be held in November in Montevideo City, Uruguay.

OFFICIAL RESULTS:

 Kata

 Pee-Wee (White - Blue belt)
1Β° Victoria Villano (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
2Β° Rafael Alvarez (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
3Β° Ruben Quesada (IFK Yantsu Dojo)

 Pee-Wee (Yellow - Green belt)
1Β° Kevin Vidal (IFK-Kanku Dojo)
2Β° Denis Lazarga (IFK-Kanku Dojo)
3Β° Alan Lazarga (IFK-Kanku Dojo)

 Adults (White - Blue belt)
1Β° FΓ‘tima Parra (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
2Β° Mauricio Nesteruk (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
3Β° Guillermo Parra (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
4Β° Donato Sena (IFK-Sai Dojo)

 Adults (Yellow - Green belt)
1Β° Claudia LΓ³pez (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
2Β° JoaquΓ­n Mesa (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
3Β° Juan Pablo Bianchi (IFK-Dojo Estribo)

 Pee-Wee - Kumite against a sandbag

 6 & 7 years old
1Β° Tatiana Nesteruk (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
2Β° Avril Carballo (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
3Β° Santiago Rosso (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)

 8 & 9 years old

1Β°Santiago Cuenca (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
2Β° Lautaro Lafranchi (IFK-Kanku Dojo)
3Β° Brandon Bermuedez (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
4Β° Nahuel Picherno (IFK-Dojo Estribo)

Kumite Knockdown Juniors & Cadets

10 & 11 years old

1Β° Ezequiel Rodriguez (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
2Β° Aragon Gavarone (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
3Β° Luciano Lemos (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
4Β° Enrique Acosta (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)

12 & 13 years old
1Β° Rodrigo Gomez (Kyokukaikan Dojo Coetc)
2Β°Gabriel Fernandez (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
3Β° MartΓ­n Machado (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)

14 & 15 years old
1Β°GuzmΓ‘n CenturiΓ³n (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
2Β° JoaquΓ­n Castro (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
3Β° Leonardo Sabella (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)

16 & 17 years old
1Β° Nahuel Filippini (WKB Hombu Dojo)
2Β° Jonathan Funez (IFK-Yantsu Dojo)
3Β° Ian Lugo (Kyokukaikan Dojo Coetc)

Kumite Knockdown - Adults absolute category

1Β° Gonzalo Bentancur (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
2Β° Yonathan Perez (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
3Β° Brian De Los Santos (WKB Hombu Dojo)
4Β° RaΓΊl Rodriguez (IFK-Dojo Estribo)

Special mentions:
Tameshiwari (highest number of broken boards in the adults semifinal instance): Gonzalo Bentancur (IFK-Dojo Estribo)
Best technique of the tournament: Brian De Los Santos (WKB Hombu Dojo)

Referees:
Chief Referee: Sensei GermΓ‘n Carballo,  

Shushinis: Senpai Santiago Mosco, Senpai Noelia Fabre and Senpai Mario Hornos. 

Fukushins & Arbitrators: Senpais Gonzalo DΓ­az, Maite De LeΓ³n, Cesar Acosta, Jonathan FΓΊnez, MatΓ­as LaΓ­no, MartΓ­n Rucci, Claudia LΓ³pez and MatΓ­as Arenas.

Officials: 
Senpai RocΓ­o Gonzalez y Florencia Muniz.

Dojos that participated in the tournament: 
Yantsu Dojo (IFK-Mercedes) Instructor: Mario Hornos
Kanku Dojo (IFK-Dolores) Instructor:  Mario Hornos
Dojo Estribo (Montevideo) Instructor: German Carballo
Sai Dojo (Montevideo) Instructor: Richard Giordano
WKB Hombu Dojo (Montevideo) Instructor: Gustavo Matos
Dojo Coetc (Montevideo) Instructor: Walter Urruzola
Chugi Dojo (IFK-Salinas) Instructor: Maite de LeΓ³n
Tameshiwari Dojo (IFK-Salto) Instructor: Gonzalo DΓ­az

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to make this event possible. Until the next one!

OSU

I.F.K. Kyokushin Uruguay
A.K.K.U. AsociaciΓ³n Kyokushin Kai Uruguay. 
www.ifk-uruguay.com

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

IFK World Kata Championships 2019 announced

We are pleased to announce the IFK World Kata Championships will be held in Papendal, Netherlands, on the 27th April 2019.

This event will be for adult and U18 participants selected by their IFK Country Representatives.

All details will be loaded onto the event website shortly.

The IFK will also hold an International Seminar at the Papendal Sportscentre from 24th April - 26th April. This seminar is for all styles and not restricted to only IFK.

Seminar participants must be a minimum of 6th Kyu and 14 years old. Any U18 student who attends the camp with a responsible adult in charge.

1st Fight Night - IFK Brazil

The 1st IFK Fight Night held on April 14th was a real success !

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First event of professional karate fights of the year, the evening featured several states of Brazil and different karate schools. With tough fights and several knockouts, we are already seeing the next edition.

IFK Brazil thanks everyone who participates in the event and hope we will be together to make professional full contact karate in Brazil.

IFK Kyokushin European Open Championship - Team medals

The IFK held the European Tournament

among children, youths and juniors, men and women in weight categories on 7-8 April, in Yerevan, Armenia, at β€œMIKA” sports complex. The organisers and hosts were The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and Armenian Kyokushin Karate Federation.

TEAM MEDALS

IFK Kyokushin European Open Championship 2018 - Results

The IFK held the European Tournament

among children, youths and juniors, men and women in weight categories on 7-8 April, in Yerevan, Armenia, at β€œMIKA” sports complex. The organisers and hosts were The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and Armenian Kyokushin Karate Federation.

Results MEN & WOMEN division

Women -60Kg

1. Ekaterina Shemina (Russia)
2. Emma Markwell (Great Britain)
3. Irina Valieva (Russia)
3. Anastasia Shvydun (Russia)

Women +60Kg

1. Anna Vishnyakova (Russia)
2. Aneta Meskauskiene (Ireland)
3. Anna Ulybina (Russia)
3. Kristina Golovanova (Russia)

Men -70Kg

1. Omar Magomedov (Russia)
2. Dmitry Rodichkin (Russia)
3. Daniel Redondo cardoso (Spain)
3. Ivan Tumashev (Russia)

Men 70-80Kg

1. Artem Nazaretyan (Russia)
2. Emelian Bitkash (Russia)
3. Shamil Ramazanov (Russia)
3. Narek Aboyan (Armenia)

Men 80-90Kg

1. Jonas Rosin (Sweden)
2. Hovhannes Sargsyan (Armenia)
3. Artem Lyalikov (Russia)
3. David Bitkash (Russia)

Men +90Kg

1. Vitaliy Ishakhneli (Russia)
2. Dmitrii Solovev (Russia)
3. Aleksandr Karshigeev (Russia)
3. Stanislav Stepankov (Russia)

Here are FULL RESULTS 

IFK Kuwait 15th training camp with Shihan Terry Prescott

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.

IFK Poland 23rd Winter Camp held on 16th to 18th February

IFK Poland held their 23rd Winter Camp with Vice President Shihan David Pickthall with Country Rep Sensei Dariusz Struski from the 16-18 February in Rzeszow.

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Karateka from Poland IFK and Shinkyokushin and also visitors from Israel and Belarus took part in the camp that focused on all elements for the IFK. Thanks go to Sensei Jan Wac for organising the event

Happy 25th Anniversary IFK Ukraine

IFK Ukraine their celebrated their 25th anniversary with a seminar at the headquarters in Kiev. 

Country representative Shihan Oleg Sereda invited international instructors to the event with Vice President Shihan David Pickthall leading the main sessions with the assistance of Shihan Andrew Turner GB and Shihan Dmitry Aleknovich Belarus.

There was also a successful dan test and of a superb celebration meal in a traditional Ukrainian restaurant.

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Christian Nugent (1958-2018)

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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

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

Emma Markwell - Silver medal winner

Maria Papadopoulou - Gold medal winner

Maria Papadopoulou - Gold medal winner

Time to be United!