How many European Championship in Kyokushin Fullcontact karate do you know about? Truly – we have lost the count. What we do see, is that many new European Championships have been added to the calendar lately.
We did the same thing “there can be only one” some years back, regarding to the growth when it came to world championships, and it is without doubt time to talk a little about the raising number of European Championships as well. European Championships, Cups, for teams and so on..
It’s been many years since an EC medal was the same as high level – without doing a background check where it was taken and in what context. In many cases, you now have EC that guarantees a medal if you compete. You can lose your first match and still end up on the podium.
This is not about disrespecting athletes and fighters – this is about organizing the championship, in terms of resources and what value the organizer actually gives to an EC medal. And it must be allowed to ask: how to organize an EC without having fighters to fill the championship categories?
Most athletes participate where they are told to participate by their superiors in the system. Although there is an increase in “going freelance” with the idea of gaining the most merit in the shortest possible time. The raising of events like countless EC’s and World Championships will most likely encourage this.
From our point of view, this is quote logic – in which direction this is developing. In most cases this is about power, and position. “Owning” your own organization will make some things relatively easy in your own eyes. Our opinion : people can do what they like..Ok lets take a look..
⇑ WKO (World Kumite Organisation) and So-Kyokushin both with their first edition of their European Championship this year 2026.So-Kyokushin locks it down to their So-Kyokushin member, as World Kumite Org have open to all, from what we can understand.The WKO EC is organized by the International Kyokushin Federation (IKF)
IKO Nakamura up with their 3rd edition, and seems to keep on with activity and establish i Europe. “The European Kyokushin Open” in Normandy is quite interesting – organized of KWF – only three weeks before the KWF hold their European Championship i Poland. We see this as two different championships, but using the “European Open” term makes it like – especially when one post it on social medias.
⇑ IKOKU (International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan Union) delivers their 15th European Championship in Belgium. Kyokushin-Kan holding their “open” EC – that means everybody can join in, no limits what so ever – beyond the region of Europe.
⇑ KWF hold their EC in Poland as mention, stated to be the 37th edition, but the first KWF EC was held in 2011. The KWF EC will be held 24-25 April, but that is not the only event that day. IFK Armenia organize World Cup same day – not a EC, but anyway. Geography will probably play a role in where you participate, as well as the size of the trophies – and not least where you are told to be in relation to where you belong organizationally.
⇑ Just to mention, on April 25th in Poland, they also have this event, not EC though.
⇑ On the same day, we will also pick the next two. Shinkyokushin and WKB World Kyokushin Budokai 9th May. Both have good lines up on the general basis, WKB keeps its championships open to all and sundry, Shinkyokushin is for members only. WKB has its championships with all classes included, from children up to old masters, while Shinkyokushin has adults and -18 years (16-18)
The 34TH Open Kamakura IBK WKKO Kyokushin Karate Championships are doing their thing, and have been doing that for many years. Same date, same place every year. Not on the same date, IKO Matsuhima European Championships 2026 will be held in the Hungarian city of Miskolc on the 24 & 25 of October.
⇑ IKO1 Holding their annual EC as usual, this time in Bulgaria. Since 2018, EC has only been held in Bulgaria and Poland (weight class EC) IKO, like Shinkyokushin, also has their Open -Weight EC in the fall, they won’t be included here but – just for the record..Latvia has its Full Contact Open European Cup – this is the third edition, and offers kumite to all age groups
⇑ Western Europe EC – Belgian Championship is a different twist. Nothing new in that sense, and we also have the Eastern European Championship version which is held in the fall. Do you think we will soon get a “Northern world Championship” for example?
The bottom line is that as of today there are European Championships and World Championships at all levels and formats. You can become a champion as an 8 year old without even realizing it – and you can have to suffer through hell to become a European Champion on the same day – somewhere else. You can be awarded the trophy and title that you knew in advance, and you can be shocked and win the dream of your life.
How do you as an Karate athlete promote your achievements? Do you share all info, or just the good one? Did you win because you did something good, or did you win because you entered a tournament you knew you gonna win? Everything is of course legal, but are you aware of this, and this way of thinking? Participating with your own tasks can also be a goal – while the result comes second.
But what we distinguish between is to describe a split as a “development of Kyokushin”. This is a very often used term. If you create a new organization, and establish several new clubs, with new people who have never trained Kyokushin before – then you have contributed to development. If you establish a new organization, and it contains the same people from the previous organization – then we are essentially standing still. Of course there are exceptions..
For athletes who follow their leaders, what does this mean? As said, most are told where to compete. At times, athletes become a tool for their leaders to show strength and competence. How many have participated in a championship they didn’t really want to? Especially with regard to the younger athletes.
Honest cooperation or playing for the gallery?
We constantly hear talk of collaboration, and NOW everyone is on the same page. High-profile leaders sign agreements, state that they will back up wherever it may have been agreed, thank you for the meeting – go home and organize the same format of championships around the same date that they have agreed to back others. -or adding another one to the already packet list. Why?
If you want to be perceived as cooperative – then you play this game – smoothly. You send a few athletes, for show, while the rest stay home and prepare for your own championship. Several reasons why it can be like this. As the leader of your own organization, you don’t want to lose face. If you realize that the level is too high, you will have little influence when it comes to, for example, draws and judging. If you are “the right type” then you may not be in the spotlight as much as you want in your own organization – that’s also a reason.
We just want do do our own thing
There are some who choose to sail in their own waters, which also works well for them and their environment, organization. Environments that have often existed for a long time, have their values of a good foundation in calm conditions. Sounds very relaxing if you ask me..
So, where do you think this will end? We’ve probably made up our minds about this, with the numbers behind us. Actions speak louder than words – the number of EC’s is increasing, and then you can’t say that you are on the way to being united – not honestly.
But whatever you do, wherever you go – there can be only one….