Helgen 17-19. mai var det klart for 5th IKK OPEN i Folkestone, Kent , England. Til å være en såpass nyetablert turnering er det gode rammer som ligger til grunn, og ikke minst rent kulturelt er det “riktig” å være Norsk i Folkstone. Frankrike og England er her de sterkeste, men nordiske land ypper seg betraktelig…
< Kalle Andrèn /Sweden vs Martin Skogmo/ Norway
Shihan Michael Söderkvist gets award for his work.
“Michael Söderkvist assigned sports leadership the award for his dedication and contributions to the youth. Michael is a true enthusiast for his club and has an ability to see and lift each individual based on his or her potential, regardless of gender, origin, size and disability. Michaels personalized leadership makes him a strong role model for other leaders. ”
Yuki Maeda, Japan.
Japanese elite fighter, and one of the best lightweight in the world. Incredibly strong pace and with great technique and timing. With this combination, Yuki Maeda, a fighter who also gets along very well in the open weight class. Strong Merits like 3 times All Japan Open Weight Category Champion and more recently 2nd place in The 5th World Cup, and strong efforts during the 10th World Championship in 2011
Nazar Nasirov, Russia. Good technical variety, strength and endurance. And also the ability to set up knock outs. 6th place in the World Championship 2015, and Technical Award.Winning the Russian Open weight 2016, defeating the best of Russian fighters across organizations and weight. Runner up in the 6th World Championship Weight category 2017. Technical award in the 12th World Championship, reaching top 16. World Champion KWU just few weeks later 2019
Kenta Mori vs Valeri Dimitrov. 
Fighting the same person more than one time, that is nothing new. These two top athletes met in 2001 and now in 2013 World Cup, and for those who are interested, what has changed? Can you see any changes from one fight to the next? Well, that’s your challenge!
Marius Ilas, Romania. Always on top of the tournaments he participates in. With his unique style and charisma is it always interesting to follow him. Seven times European champion, in the middleweight division, a thought category always well represented. Also winning the Open Weight in 2013, and winner of a very strong Szolnok European Cup in 2015. Reaching the EC final in 2016 and 2017, in the new weight class. Humble in his appearance and an inspiration to all who search the way of Budo.
Winner of The 5th Karate World Championship Weight Categories. Not only did this strong fighters win this year, but he repeated her performance from 4 years back..To win the World weight category, it requires extremely good qualities. And when an athlete does this twice in a row, it is very impressive. A few chosen merits:
1st 15th Asia Open 2014,1st Asian Open 2012,1st Yamburg Cup IFK 2014, 2nd British Open 2016
Sensei Valeri Dimitrov did win the world championship weight categories. But it did not stop his gain there. Days after his victory in the World Championship, he also passed the test for 4th Dan.
See Valeri Dimitrov Sensei`s fight sequence from his grade test.
Edit Abraham, Hungary.
European champion several times 2008/2009, and top world athlete for many years. 2nd place World Cup 2009 June 20th & 21st, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2009, and only few month later she took 4th place in the All Kyokushin World Tournament 2nd, 3rd & 4th October 2009, Budapest, Hungary. Always hardworking and honest will to perform her very best. Other EC podium places 2nd 2010, 3rd 2011/12
Kenji Midori 18.April – happy birthday today, and we congratulate!