IFK Argentina will celebrate 25 years

IFK Kyokushin Argentina is founded in early 1995, by Julio Romero, today 6th Dan, when he makes contact with Hanshi Steve Arneil, founder and President of "International Federation of Karate-do Kyokushin" (IFK).
Julio Romero began in the Martial Arts at the beginning of 1979, in a system of the so-called traditional ones. Karate system in which it remained for a little more than 7 years. During this period, he obtains some National awards. Having met Kyokushin through the film “The strongest Karate”, he joins to Kyokushin KaiKan Argentina, in these moment directed by Sensei Jorge Raúl Arturo, Representative in Argentina of “International Kyokushin Karate-do Kyokushin kai Kan” (IKO), introducer of Kyokushin in the country. He remained in this organization for a little more than 8 years. During this period of time, he served in different tournaments, sometimes as a competitor,
sometimes as a referee, and always as teacher and coach. He participated in many courses, trained karatekas for National, South American Tournaments (Chile ‘87; Uruguay ‘89); 4th World Japan ‘87.

In 1988 he organized the reception in Buenos Aires of Akiyoshin Matsui (consecrated World Champion in the 4th Kyokushin World Championship in Japan), who arrived accompanied by Shihan Yuzo Goda, Seiji Isobe, Ademir Da Costa.

In 1994 he participated as a coach in the so-called Mundialito Oyama, a posthumous tribute to Sosai Oyama, held in São Paulo, organized by Shihan Seiji Isobe.

In 1995, he joined IFK Kyokushin, founded by Hanshi Steve Arneil. The same year IFK Kyokushin Argentina is founded. In 2020, the 25th anniversary of IFK Argentina will be celebrated. During these 25 years, they have participated in deferents Kyokushin IFK events, courses and competitions: 1997, 1st IFK Kyokushin World Championship in Russia; 1998, Africa Open (2nd Place); 1999,1st IFK Kyokushin World Championship, Switzerland; 1999, 3rd European Kumite Championship (3rd place); 2011, World Children's Championship, England; 2013, 4th IFK World Championship, England; 2016, 3rd World Seminar of Black Belts IFK Kyokushin.

Julio Romero was graduated to 6th Dan by Hanshi Steve Arneil, in person. 2016 1st Kata South American Championship, “Argentina 2016”, 1st place for children; 1st position novices, 1st position experts "brown and black belts"; 1st place children team; 1st place adult novices: 1st place adult team experts. 1st U21 South American Championship, Uruguay 2018, 1st place male cadets (16-17 years old); 3rd place junior ladies (13-15 years old). Chile South American Championship 2019, 1st place light category adults; 2nd place youth category, lightweight ladies; 4th place light youth ladies.

IFK Argentina has participated in many courses around the world, directed by Hanshi Steve Arneil: Russia and England ‘97; South Africa ’98 (Kumite); Switzerland ‘99 (kata), Spain ‘99 (Kumite);

Argentina 2000, Summer Camp Argentina (1st Summer Camp IFK in South America, directed by Hanshi Steve Arneil); Argentina 2001, 2nd Summer Camp in Argentina directed by Hanshi Steve Arneil; Argentina 2001 (Course with Shihan Jeff Wybrow); Switzerland 2001, 1st World Seminar of black belts IFK Kyokushin; Argentina 2002 (course with Shihan Eduard Gabathuler Representative of IFK Switzerland, and Tomas Imm, at that time representative of IFK Germany); Switzerland 2004, 2nd World Seminar of Black Belts IFK; Switzerland 2008 Summer Camp IFK Switzerland, and Kata international Tournament; Kobudo courses in Paris, France; IFK Great Britain International Summer Camp (British Karate Kyokushin Kai); Argentina 2009, 3rd Summer Camp directed by Hanshi Steve Arneil.

2011, England. Juniors World Championship; 2013, England, Youth, and Adults IFK World Championship; 2013, Argentina, visit to Argentina Senseis Dolores Jaros, and André Emmeneger, Runners-up of the World in Kata. Classes taught by both to IFK Argentina students; 2013 Referee Course 1st World KWU Sofia, Bulgaria; 2018 12th Summer Camp KWU, Kamchia, Bulgaria; 2019 1st Summer Camp KWU, Argentina directed by Shihan Alexander Pichkunov, Secretary General Kyokushin World Unión (KWU).

2020, 25th anniversary.

IFK Kyokushin Argentina closes the 2019 season with a successful balance in many aspects

IFK Argentina has started the year 2019 with a high-level event, such as the first Summer Camp KWU in South America, held in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. Shihan Julio Romero was responsible for coordinating this international visit, receiving in our country illustrious Masters, such as the Secretary General of KWU, Sensei Alexander Pichkinov, and Sensei Dmitry Savelyev, both Kyokushin World Champions. We also received karatekas from other regions of Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia. It was undoubtedly an event of great hierarchy that we hope to repeat.

On the other hand, IFK Argentina completes the training of our students of the subsidiary of the Province of San Juan, in charge of Instructor Roberto Putelli. IFK Argentina continues the preparation of our young karatekas, athletes with a view to the IFK Kyokushin South American Championship, held in Valparaíso, Chile, organized by Sensei Germán Carú.

The participation of the IFK Argentina youth team in the Continental Tournament could not be more auspicious. Jerónimo Romero consecrated South American Champion in lightweight category adults (18 years old): Paloma Romero, South American Junior Runner-up, Lightweight Ladies category (16 years old); Mariana Bosch, 4th place (15 years), same category.

After these important International events, the degree exams arrived. Jerónimo Romero was examined to his 2º Dan, and he approved all his Kyokushin items successfully (Kihon from 10º kyu to Nidan, all katas of the system, special exercises of stamina, skill, power, and Kumite) We will end this season with a training seminar for our Instructors and students of the IFK branch in the Province of Entre Ríos.

IFK Argentina looks forward to next year with as much and good activity as the year that ends. It will be a very special year, since in 2020, IFK Kyokushin Argentina will turn 25, under the leadership of Shihan Julio Romero 6º Dan (who will turn 33 in Kyokushin, 8 in IKO, 25 in IFK), and the unconditional support and work of a small group of students of the first hour of the foundation of IFK Argentina. They are, Shihan María Laura López Goñi, Sensei Mariano Porcel and Doctor Víctor Varone (legal advisor), Doctor Pablo Albina. We look forward to celebrating at a Kyokushin event where we can share with colleagues, students, and friends.

Throughout these 25 years, IFK Argentina participated in many seminars around the world under the direction of Hanshi Steve Arneil; Also in Championships, South American, and Kyokushin World Cups for children, youth and adults (ladies and men). In 2011 a new chapter began in Kyokushin with the creation of Kyokushin World Union (KWU). In 2013, Shihan Julio participates as a referee in the first KWU World Championship, held in Sofia, Bulgaria. Then came more responsibilities related to KWU, KWU Tournament in Chile 2016. 2018 Coordinator of trainers Kyokushin South America in Summer Camp Kamchia, Bulgaria. He also coordinates the first KWU tour in the South American continent directed by Secretary General Alexander Pichkunov and Sensei Dmitry Savelyev.

2020 will be a year to celebrate, share and continue adding friends. IFK Argentina wishes in this new year to face new challenges and continue growing in the Kyokushin.

IFK Brazil Internal Championship

IFK Brazil shared the news:

On November 24th was held in the Hombu of IFK Brazil, under the coordination of Shihan Jeovaldo Barreto the internal Kyokushin Karate Championship, in the modalities of kata and Kumite (Kids with assistant) for children of different ages.

We also had categories for adults’ colorful belts.

Congratulations to all who attended and brought their brightness to more this event of 2019.