Japan in 2011 has been challenged by natural disasters however the Budo of martial arts remains a focal point in the culture.  Every 4 years the best Kyokushin karate fighters in the world converge to Tokyo Japan to find out who can survive 3 days of bare-knuckle knockdown kumite until only one remains to be named World Champion.

The weight division is Open weight usually ranging from 60kg to 130+ kg

The age limit is 18 years upwards

Basic Rules – All striking techniques allowed from any part of your body to any part of the opponent.

Rule Exception: No punches to the face, No throws.

This year 192 elite Kyokushin champions qualified from their respective regions, i.e. Africa, Europe, USA, Russia, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Scandanavia, South America, Caribbean, Oceania and Asia.

Defending 9^th Kyokushin  Karate World Champion 2007 Ewerton Teixeira (Brazil) and also a K-1 WGP Champion took 2011 off from the professional kickboxing arena to concentrate on this Knockdown Karate Tournament.

Well-known and popular fighters throughout the Karate Martial Arts World entered;

Alejandro Navarro (Spain), Lechi Kurbanov (Russia), Tariel Nikoleishvili (Russia), Eduardo Tanaka (Brazil), Darmen Sadvokasov (Russia), Kentaro Tanaka (Japan), Zahari Damayanov (Bulgaria), Andrey Stepin (Russia), Pablo Enstensoro (Spain), Nicolae Stoian (Romania), Makoto Akaishi (Japan), Goderzi Kapanadze (Russia), Djema Bel (France), Daniel Bukowy (Poland), Diogo Silva (Brazil), Steve Cujic (Australia), Patryk Sypien (Poland), Syoki Arata (Japan), Mikael Koslov (Russia), Mohammed Chikh (Canada), Mori Zenjyuro (Japan), Syoki Arata (Japan).

In these Kyokushin World Tournaments,  past successful participants have been trained for the professional K-1 sports arena , e.g. Filho Francisco (Brazil), Glaube Feitosa (Brazil), Ewerton Teixeira (Brazil), Aleksandr Pichkunov (Russia), Jan Soukup (Czech Rep.).

Photos by IKO Kyokushin 

Accommodation for the athletes was at the Olympics Village Sendagaya, Tokyo Japan.

The venue for the World Tournament was held in the Olympic Indoor Stadium, Sendagaya Tokyo, Japan.

A New Zealand highlight in the tournament was Kyokushin Karate Oceania Vice Champion 2011 James Eades (NZ).  Reaching the 2^nd day of kumite competition and fighting Russian Champion – Tariel Nikoleishvili (Russia) in the top 128.  Jamie lost this bout to the Russian who carried on to win the Tournament.

Photo by IKO Kyokushin

Photo by Rob Struthers 

NZ Mens Open Team at the 10^th World Open Tournament, Tokyo Japan.

(L-R)) Conrad Tuhega, Maia Peters, James Eades, Eddie TeAhu, Jack Tuhega,

Tony Rodriguez (Guam), Rob Struthers

Photo by IKO Kyokushin 

10^th World Kyokushin Karate Mens Open Tournament – November 2011 

(L-R) Ewerton Teixeira (Brazil) – Vice Champion 2^nd place

Tariel Nikoleishvili (Russia) – World Champion 1^st place

Goderzi Kapanadze (Russia) – 3^rd place 

2011 Mens World Open Karate Championship Results – Top.8.

1^st Tariel Nikoleishvili (Russia) 88kg


2^nd Ewerton Teixeira (Brazil) 105kg


3^rd Goderzi Kapanadze (Russia) 92kg


4^th Makoto Akaishi (Japan) 96kg

5^th Zahari Damyanov (Bulgaria) 109kg

6^th Nikolai Davydov (Russia) 92kg

7^th Oleksandr Ieromenko (Ukraine) 95kg

8^th Ilya Karpenko (Russia) 92kg 

Another Kyokushin Karate kumite highlight was the inclusion of the 1^st World Kyokushin Karate Women’s Open Tournament in which Rachel McLean represented New Zealand.

Photo by Supercharge 

(L-R) Sensei Tahi, Rachel McLean, Sensei Jayson Vemoa

2011 Women's World Open Karate Championship Results – Top.4.

1^st Anastasia Khripunova (Russia)


2^nd Julie Lamarre (Canada)


3^rd Elena Vorobyeva (Russia)


4^th Anna kaczynska (Poland)

Photo by Supercharge

New Zealand’s Shihan Stephen Takiwa (Auckland) and Shihan Chris Gower (Wellington) official Judges for the Finals on the 3^rd day of the Kyokushin World Tournament.

(L-R) Stephen Takiwa – (6^th Dan) The most decorated Kyokushin fighter to come from New Zealand

5^th World Kyokushin Karate Mens Open Tournament 1991 Tokyo, Japan – 12^th place.

Jayson Vemoa – (1^st Dan) Ichigeki Academy K-1 Trainer to the Elite Kyokushin Champions

Chris Gower – (5^th Dan) Kyokushin Masters Open Tournament 2005 – 1^st place – Tokyo, Japan.

Jamie Eades (NZ) vs Tariel Nikoleishvili (Russia) – Top 128