IFK Canada is pleased to share our year in review. Over the past months, we have had many outstanding accomplishments, and while we are proud of our work in all of these areas, below are a few we are especially proud of, as we continue our efforts to boost IFK Kyokushin in Canada.
As just a few examples of our activities this year, we hosted seminars with International guest instructors and took part in many National and International events. Where our teams took place, we did IFK proud, by continuously making the podium and demonstrating the strength and skills of the organization.
During the weekend of March 1-3, the IFK Canada Team lead by Sensei Steve Fogarasi and Assistant Coach Oleg Vainshtein, along with Sensei Jonathan Hémond, who refereed the “Knock-down” fights, took part in the 1st IFK Americas Cup at the 43rd Battle of Columbus – Arnold Martial Arts World Games, Columbus Ohio, USA.
The team performed exceptionally, and the results reflect that:
Kata Individual
– Quinlan Van 1st Place
– Kyla Van 1st Place
– Connor Van 2nd Place
– Tony Wu 2nd Place
Kata Teams
– Quinlan, Kyla, Connor 1st Place
Kumite Semi-contact
– Tony Wu 1st Place
Kumite Full-contact
– Pavel Patrushev 1st Place
IFK World Seminar / 5th Kata IFK World Championship
IFK Canada Team had the privilege to participate in the IFK World Seminar / 5th Kata IFK World Championship 2019, organized by the organizing committee of the IFK Netherlands. This IFK international event was held at the Athletic Sports Center of Papendal, Arnhem, Netherlands, from Wednesday, April 24 to Saturday, April 27, 2019. This enriching opportunity brought together more than 28 countries around the world for the seminar and 22 countries represented at the world championship.
There were more than 100 participants at the 5th IFK kata world championship. The IFK Canada delegation was represented by Sensei Steve Fogarasi (coach and country representative), Senseï Jonathan C. Hémond (seminar and competitor), Natália Aragao (seminar), Kyla, Connor and Quinlan Van (seminar and competitors).
IFK Canada had the youngest team with Connor being the youngest in the boys juniors division at age 12 and Kayla the 2nd youngest girls juniors division at age 14. Also, Quinlan was the youngest participant at the seminar at age 10 only.
Senseï Jonathan C. Hémond ranked 32nd, Kyla place 12 and Connor ranked in the top 16!
4th Kyokushin Seminar – Shihan Eddy Gabathuller
The 4th Kyokushin Karate Seminar, with special guest instructor Shihan Eduard (Eddy) Gabathuler 7th Dan, the national representative of IFK Switzerland, was organized by IFK Vice President Sensei Jonathan C. Hemond of Karate Laval, and sponsored by IFK Canada. We welcomed more than 75 participants and took place on May 16th to 19th.
During the seminar testing to place for many Kyu ranks, black belt Dan grads.
Following their participation in this testing, some students also received their official IFK certificates and belts handed out by Sensei Steve Fogarasi, IFK Canada President and Country Representative.
A special event was also the promotion and awarding 6th Dan for Shihan Real Gagnon and Shihan Gaetan Sauve.
2019 Centre de Karate Rimouski – Summer Camp
On June 8-9, a traditional Kyokushin karate summer camp was held in Rimouski, Quebec. The camp was lead by Shihan Real Gagnon 6th Dan.
2019 IFK Canada Kyokushin Seminar
September 6-8, 2019, IFK Canada Headquarters – Contact Kicks Dojo, led by President Sensei Steve Fogarasi, hosted a seminar with Special Guest Shihan Alexey Gorokhov, 5th Dan Russia IFK.
Shihan Alexey Gorokhov is a member of the head referring comity of IFK Russia, Head of the methodology comity of the professional league of Kyokushin in Russia, with many students who are top 3 and champions of Russian, Euro and World tournaments. His own accomplishments are well known, and include:
– Champion of Russia (99, 03, 04, 13).
– Russian Cup Champion (01,06)
– European Cup Champion
– World Cup Champion no weight division in Japan
– North American Champion
We had over 60 participants from Toronto, Laval, Montreal, and the United States. Special thank you to Sensei Jonathan C. Hemond from Karate Laval and IFK Canada Vice-President, Sensei Mikhail Zimerman from Montreal, Sensei Pascal Hemond from Laval and not lastly Shihan Mike Monaco 7th Dan Country Representative IFK USA.
His seminar was methodically put together, with one class a prerequisite for the following class and one building to the next, which ultimately culminated with the last day focusing on how to put the principles together in Kumite.
Everyone was extremely impressed by this true master of Kyokushin, his abilities and knowledge, great teaching methods, and not to mention a true gentleman who is approachable and friendly and performs all examples with a smile.
29th American-International Karate Championships
October 19th, competitors from Contact Kicks Dojo Toronto, the Headquarters for IFK Canada attended the 29th Annual American-International Karate Championships in Rochester NY, organized by USA IFK.
Our team had 12 members, 9 competitors in both divisions, kata and kumite, 1 assistant coach and photographer Oleg Vainshtein and IFK Canada President Steve Fogarasi as head coach and country representative. From Karate Laval, Sensei Jonathan C Hemond attended as a referee.
Results:
Adults
– Pavel Patrushev 1st kumite semi-contact; 2nd kata
– Tony Wu 1st kata
– Roxana Trifan 1st kata
– Mici Fogarasi 4th kata
– Daniel Zelentsov 2nd kumite semi-contact
Kids
– Robert Fogarasi 2nd kata
– Quinlan Van 1st kata, 2nd kumite
– Connor Van 1st kata
– Kyla Van 1st kata, 2nd kumite
– Van Family – 2nd in family kata division
Black Belt Testing at the Headquarters in Toronto
The last event to close out the year was Kyokushin Karate testing for Kyu Belts and Dan Ranks at the Headquarters in Toronto. Kids testing was held on December 8th, and Adults December 15th.
The Adults testing ran all day, ending in the afternoon with Kumite (fighting) for those testing in higher kyu ranks, and those testing for Shodan. As well Senpai Mici Fogarasi who tested for her Nidan.
– Kyu ranks fought 10 rounds
-1st Degree Black Belt – Shodan 30 rounds
– 2nd Degree Black Belt – Nidan 40 rounds
1st Degree Black Belt (Shodan) was awarded to Sergei Fukuro, Scott Heaney, Oleg Vainshtein and Alex Burnaru. Mici Fogarasi receiving her 2nd Degree Black Belt (Nidan)
The Year Ahead
This year, and every year, the efforts of the IFK Canada executive committee, students, dojos, Senpai, Sensei and Shihans has had a direct, positive impact on Kyokushin, both locally and internationally. At IFK Canada, rather than just theorize about change, we also work on the ground, in collaboration with other dojos, to contribute to the growth and success of IFK Canada. We are building with everyone an active organization in Canada and a more inclusive Kyokushin organization.
We’d like to thank the many people across IFK Canada who has generously contributed their time this year, in helping us build the organization and exceed our goals.
We have many activities, seminars, and tournaments on the roster for the New Year, and IFK Canada will continue to grow. Still, none of it is possible without you, the students, members, and participants. We generously thank all of you for your contributions, and we couldn’t be prouder.
2020 will be even better!
OSU!
