The 2nd KWU World Tournament are history, and through the tournament many good impressions was done. The tournament was promoted with a bigger hype than before, and with a glorified setting that all parts should be united. The very first thing to do is to unite the schedule for the various partners that work together – if one really believe that this should be an overall World Championship. We have to be honest, and for the last years it has been common to join each others tournaments. With this angle we only have another new WT. All the organizations that was attended at the KWU have their own WT, and that will always be the main goal. And when the tournament are held close to other WT and big tournaments, it will hardy reach the height that we all dream of. So its time to get united – at the schedule..
The 2nd KWU World Tournament raised the stats at the tournament when official partners was announced. From the start the IFK and Kyokushin-kan have pointed out the direction of the KWU. Teaming up with (now) WKO and working in an official matter does take this a step further. But as we all stand at this point, every organization have their own World Championship or World Cup, and all organizations visit each others tournaments. Is the KWU World Championship just one more World tournament?
Lets go back to 2009, Hungary. This year the All Kyokushin World Tournament was held. This tournament gathered 420 fighters from 57 countries. In some of the men divisions we was witness huge categories with almost 80 fighters. The organizer, Kyokushin-Kan, with Royama Kancho in the lead, did a superb tournament with support from many others. (Click logo for more)
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This was a message of things to come, but the biggest difference will be that through the great job from KWU at the organizationally level, this will at sight be possible bigger. But the All Kyokushin World Tournament in 2009 was held with a good distance to any other big tournament as WC. The next KWU WC are all ready announced, and it remains to be seen whether the timing is better than this time. If not, it only seems to move the fighters round after where the next Championship is.
When we see how the 2nd KWU World Championship was promoted, there is no doubt about the high level and the professionalism from start to the end. This IS how we like to see a World Tournament! 47 countries was listed in the draw. Now as in 2013 we was witness to several matches became “no show” one of the fighter did not show. This is unfortunate for all sides, so there is a job to do for athletes and everyone involved. It is not possible to “save” all the fights, but the effort to avoid this should be at the maximum.
The top level av the fighters are really good, and that together with a quality packed organizing we truly believe that this is the right way to promote Kyokushin Full Contact Karate to the world. For all the Karatekas that all ready are “inside” the full contact Karate community, it is of course very exiting how your “own” fighters do it against others….. or is it? Many of us also totally forget this when the “game is on” because we love this so much. And there you have it, you really just want to see the best fighter of the world!
We need to come “out and up” with the Kyokushin. To get recognition and the deserved attention for our hard work. Not just up against others martial arts, but as a sport overall. Having said so is obviously a question of wondering, how far are we willing to go to get this. Kyokushin Karate is Budo Karate..
Taking a look at the finals in the 2nd KWU WT we can really see the “dialect of fighting” from several organizations. This is really exciting, and many fight will be a question, or more a “battle of the styles” Note that the tournament has a strict line of hand use, “pushing” and this was a little challenging for some.
The finals was nicely lifted up the second day, and out from the results it was about what one could expect. (only women review at this time.. )
Women 55 kg – (18 fighters from original draw)
Boycheva Stanislava (Bulgaria) was with her good timing, moves and kicking skills one step ahead of Russian fighter Virabyan Anna. Stanislava manage to hit the face of her opponent more than one time with her kicks, but did not have the power to score. Virabyan on her side, was strong in her pressure, and show good punching combinations. But the Bulgarian fighter did not let this happen to often, and kept the distance with kicks and good movements. The decision was a fact when a Genten was given in the overtime.
- Boycheva Stanislava (Bulgaria)
- Anna Virabyan (Russia) VIDEO
Women 60 kg (15 fighters from original draw)
Guzel Fattakhova (Russia) won this final against reigning EC IFK champion Emma Markwell (Great Britain). Fattakhova showing great game of distance, and neutralizing the British fighter and her reach advantage through the fight. Also braking up the combinations and set the pace of the fight that suited her style. making her 
opponent miss clearly, dodging the kicks and strikes, and counter. However it is a patient way to fight, and with elite fighter on the other side of the mat – it will take time.. Excellent played tactics by the Russian, and winner of the fight.
- Guzel Fattakhova (Russia)
- Emma Markwell (Great Britain) VIDEO
Women 65 kg (10 fighters from original draw)
Also in this final Russia was best. Anzhelika Sabaeva (Russia) was all over Diana Santerj Peres (Spain) from the start, and this final was over in the first round. Sabaeva was in control from the start, and Peres, (Diana Cantero past name) the several KWF European Champion and KWF World Champion was never a threat. The Russian fighter was constant scoring with punches, and the Spanish fighter that use to be dominant was being dominated by Russian technique, power and tactic.
- Sabaeva Anzhelika (Russia)
- Diana Santerj Peres (Spain) VIDEO
Women 70 kg (9 fighters from original draw)
This final was between Russia and Japan. Homefighter Irina Kriazheva had much to prov after she lost her gold medal in the WT in 2013 during a positive doping result. Japanese fighter Rika Hasegawa was looking strong early in the tournament. Taking a 5-0 decision after one round against Kirsten Gladius Smith GB was a statement. Gladius Smith on her side had earned a wazari victory over reigning KWF EC 2015 champion Karpuk after dominating her the whole fight. Hasegawa and Kriazheva fought hard through ordinary time, and through extensions, very strong both and no one willing to give an inch. Judge decision 3-2 to the homefighter in a very even final.
- Irina Kriazheva (Russia)
- Rika Hasegawa (Japan) VIDEO
Women +70 kg (8 fighters from original draw)
Russia vs Lithuania in the last final.Tatiana Gendik from Russia fought her way through Mor Veiter/Israel in a convincing way, before a safe win against Aurore Chatagnier/France, who on her side had stopped the reigning World Champion KWF Aneta Zuk/Poland in the 1st round. The result of this match became a “talker”. The Lithuanian athlete kept a good press through the fight from the start, and was undoubtedly the most active. Pushed forward with great impact and strong knees. When it stood again 30 seconds woke the Russian fighter to life and executed a strong final stage, and leveled it out. This meant the judges were enough to win the game. Many believe that this could/should have been an extra round.
- Tatiana Gendik (Russia)
- Brigita Gustaityte (Lithuania) VIDEO