The 18th edition of the Kokoro Cup Gala will take place on December 6, 2025 (senior edition) Once again will fighters from different regions step up on the tatami, in a highly professional Full Contact Karate tournament.
Japan, Asia (with Kazakhstan) and Europe will measure the level between the contenders from these regions at the 18th edition of the Kokoro Cup, Poland.
We assume you are familiar with the format of the Kokoro Cup, and we repeat from previous articles: this is a professional gala with “handpicked” fighters in an open weight class. Since there is a limited number of athletes, the tournament is relatively short, efficient and very entertaining – even for those who are not deep into the Karate community.
This year’s athlete once again gives us a good mix of regions and exciting fights. Including Japanese athletes will always arouse interest – even if they are not from the absolute elite. So, who do we really have in this year’s gala? We take a closer look at this year’s fighters.
Kodai Suzuki (Japan) Maybe some of you recognize him from previous events, because there is an opportunity for just that. Represented Japan in the 7th the World Championship weight category, out in the quarter final.
Participated in Kokoro Cup 2023 and ended 4th, was awarded the Spirit award. Secured win vs Mateusz Dyniewicz (Poland) Kokoro Cup 2023. Kodai Suzuki maintains a good all-round level, and it is also stylistically different to fight against Japanese athletes than, for example, European ones.
Konosuke Goto (Japan) maintains a good all-round level, and it is also stylistically different to fight against Japanese athletes than, for example, European ones. Good performance in the 57th All Japan Open, advances to day two.
At the 57th All Japan Open, Konosuke Goto was awarded he heavy award: The Spirit award. (To the right) ⇓To get such a high award in a tournament of this caliber – weigh heavy.
Hungary is fielding its two top fighters on the men’s side. These are familiar names to most of us, active fighters at a high level. Both been on the European Championship podium EKO more than one time.
Gergely Fekete (Hungary) is a very good technical athlete, and despite his relatively young age – the experience belongs to an experienced fighter. Fekete is also very active, and this shows in his development.
With EC EKO in September, Batumi Open i October, signed up for WKB World Championship in November, before the Kokoro Cup in December. If we count in a victory in the WKB 8th European Championship i May…
Patrik Lajtos (Hungary) do also following the tight schedule, and have up to this point a strong season. Runner up in the EC – Shinkyokushin, 3rd in Batumi Open – both strong tournaments with notable fighters in the line up.
Patrik Lajtos is not a easy fighter to defeat, Physically strong in every way, and a toughness that makes him very hard to pass without being marked yourself. One factor we must count in: two tournament with one week in between – you might bring some “souvenirs” from one to the other that can be a consequence.
Like the athletes from Japan, Kazakhstan’s athletes are attracting attention. This is due to the exceptionally high level of their athletes over time – as well as the new generation that has made itself known in recent years.
Nazar Kavazov (Kazakhstan) A very athletic and mobile fighter, with a spectacular style. You can get some Tsukamoto vibes when the kick techniques (out of the ordinary) fly across the mat, as it did last year Kokoro Cup U-22 category.
This year Nazar Kavazov fought in The 7th IFK World Championship, and ended fifth – after a good fight versus Salahat Hasanov in the quarterfinal. It will be highly interesting to follow Kavazov in Kokoro Cup.
Rustam Avzalov the second fighter from Kazakhstan, and style-vise quite different from his countryman Kavazov. Avzalov Have fought some of the very best representing Kazakhstan in different championships. Kembu Iriki in the 7th WC weight-categories, and a particularly strong showdown against Yuta Goto in Goto 13th World Championship.
Rustam Avzalov is strong and technical at the same time, with a good drive, good changes of pace. Fights into 3rd place in the Batumi Open recently, after losing an even semifinal to Davit Mskhaladze (Georgia). Avzalov can take on anyone in the line up,
Victor Mayer (Czech Republic) Showed good spirit and strong fighting last year, advancing into the semi-final after victory in the first. Good stamina and keep going into long fight with good intensity. Been quite active this year, 2nd place 7th IFK World Championship 2025 U-21, 3rd in British Open
Last year Kokoro Cup ended 4th. Winning the first fight vs the veteran Marek Odzeniak (Poland) For many, that was a little surprise – will Victor Mayer bring more surprises to the Kokoro Cup this year?
Lithuania has high quality athletes, and Laurynas Vaicikauskas has represented Lithuania many times in major championships. Made it to top 16 in the 13th World Championship.
Laurynas Vaicikauskas fights with high intensity, and will never give you a break. Vaicikauskas has the ability to grow stronger in the fight the longer it goes on.
As you know, Georgia has really made a big step up in terms of the level of their athletes in recent years. One of the most prominent and most successful has been Davit Mskhaladze Two times (reign) EC Champion WKO
We have to say that we hold Davit Mskhaladze as one of the favorites in this edition of the Kokoro Cup. Last year 2nd, only loosing to Vladimir Artyushin (Kazakhstan) Before that, 2023 reached the final lost to Maciej Mazur (Poland) This might be the right time for highly skilled top fighter from Georgia to make all the way in Kokoro Cup. Photo: Okiem Sportowca
Poland will naturally have a larger team, the fundamental in the tournament. A natural generational change has come, and now we have a young generation that will represent Poland in future championships. Several have already made a strong mark – despite their young age.
Mateusz Mazur Artem Akiemenkow and Mateusz Dyniewicz will represent Poland this time. All well known names if one are used to follow , with Akimenkov and Dyniewicz with the heaviest merits.
Mateusz Dyniewicz ha been in three EC WKO finals the last three years (three 2nd places), and do also have several strong achievements. Did win the IFK U-21 World Championship
Mateusz Dyniewicz is incredible tough, and kan keep on going “all day long” Question for many will be the draw – thinking of the open-weight category, and Mateusz Dyniewicz usually fights in the -70 kg category. Last year he become the winner of Kokoro Cup U-22 -76 Kg – at fought Nazar Kavazov (Kazakhstan) in the final. Both in this line up – theoretically, they can therefore meet this year as well.
Artem Akimenkov has been on the EC WKO podium last three times, and grows for each time. Akimenkov do also have the capacity to reach further on in the tournament, and will have the tools to face everyone in the line up. Photo: Okiem Sportowca
Poland know how to educate new top fighters. Beside the level in Poland, the Polish team recently participated in the 57th All Japan Open. One of them was Mateusz Mazur. In Japan he fought Kodai Suzuki in a good fight, that will give fundamental for further experience.
In our eyes The Kokoro Cup have several functions. The most obvious is to organize a professional gala to promote full contact Karate, and all that it entails. But organizing such a well-organized tournament will also function as a very good tool to educate and sharpen your own athletes.
Kokoro Cup website – Kokoro Cup FB site – Kokoro Cup YouTube
