How it started
On October 12, 2011, the Founding Conference of the Kyokushin World Union was held, which was attended by Chairman of the Presidium of the Association of Kyokushinkai of Russia Shihan Yurii Trutnev, President of Kyokushin-kan International (KI) Kancho Hatsuo Royama, former Vice-President of Kyokushinkai-kan International Tsuyoshi Hiroshige, member of Directors Board of Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation («The Society for Promotion of Kyokushin Karatedo») Kenji Sugekawa, President of the International Federation of Karate (Kyokushin) Hanshi Steve Arneil, Representative of the UK International Federation of Karate (Kyokushin) Shihan David Pickthall, President of the Kyokushin World Federation (KWF) Shihan Loek Hollander, President of the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation Shihan Ivo Kamenov, as well as representatives of the member federations of the Association of Kyokushinkai of Russia.
At the Founding Conference the leaders of the world Kyokushin Steve Arneil (IFK), Hatsuo Royama (KI), Loek Hollander (KWF), and Ramil Gabbasov (AKR) signed the Statute of the new organization – Kyokushin World Union.
How it’s going
In 2013 KWU held the 1st KWU Kyokushin World Championship among men and women in weight categories in Sofia, Bulgaria. The championship attracted participants from 52 countries.
In 2015, within the framework of the 2nd KWU Kyokushin World Championship among men and women in weight categories in Khabarovsk, Russia, representatives of KWU and WKO Shinkyokushinkai agreed to sign a Cooperation Agreement between the two organizations.
In 2017 was held the 3rd KWU Kyokushin World Championship among men and women in weight categories in Ekaterinburg, Russia, and the event was defined by the international press and many karate influencers as one of the best Kyokushin competitions not only as a level of fighters but also as an organization.
In 2018 by the initiative of Shihan Ivo Kamenov (Executive director of the KWU International Professional League and Chairman of the National combat sports association in Bulgaria (NABS) was established KWU International Professional League Senshi. Since February 2019 we already have 9 Professional fight galas and 1 European Senshi championship. Many camps with the world’s most famous instructors were held also. And we have big plans for the future. Just stay tuned for more…
In 2019 was held the 4th KWU Kyokushin World Championship among men and women in weight categories in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan. The impeccable organization offered spectators and participants a colorful Kyokushin feast. The 4th KWU World Championship prize fund was $ 90,000
Due to the epidemiological situation and the inability to travel KWU Executive Committee decided to postpone the 5th KWU World Championship among men and women in weight categories to 2022. We believe that everything will end soon and we will return to international events stronger than ever.
In December 2021 will be held KWU European Championship among Men and Women in weight categories, which will be the 3rd European level event after Beograd 2016 and Varna 2018. We wish you all good luck and can’t wait to see you in Varna again.
Today, 12 October 2021, Kyokushin World Union celebrates its 10th anniversary! Hooray! 10 years filled with many events, victories on the tatami, many new friends, which we proudly call: family.
Thank you for being with us and together, united we will continue the development of Kyokushin and Full contact karate! Osu!
