As the most of you know, new grades from WKO was announced some days ago, as always we like to take a closer look at some of the persons that have been awarded a higher rank. We released many (especially younger practitioners) do not know many of the profiles that for many years have given enormous contribution to WKO – and still do!
The information about the recommended Dan promotions are posted at the official site of WKO Shinkyokushinkai and can be found here. As mention We will take a look at some of the profiles, that said all the names on the list receiving recommended Dan grades have done a great job for many years in their position, region and country.
In Kazakhstan there was also done the regular graduating test, and strong profiles manage to lift their grades, top athletes as József Stefanovics, Hungary, Mariusz Mazur, Poland with more. On the female side Annika Peterson, Sweden and least but not least Anca Wallmen, Romania. All really high skilled working hard for development.
Grades, Dan grades has always been hard topic in discussions across the world, and we believe it always will be. One thing for sure, we are seeing that the age is getting younger and younger in the Kyokushin world regarding to the Shodan/Dan grades, and in the other end the grades are getting higher and higher than before. Following this way, we will see a “Sensei” 3rd Dan as an 15-16 years old practitioner – soon, we will see – one time in the future, 15th Dan in Kyokushin. (and maybe it is out there all ready) This is for many provoking to read, but it will happen.
But people that work hard for many years must be rewarded. As always – it is a balance. And one should have in mind that this is our education structure. If we compare it with the rest of the world, and the professions we know, then many of the answers will give themselves in relation to how most people will respond to degrees and distinctions.
15 year old brain-surgeon and 15 years old Sensei? Don`t think so. That is how serious we should think about it, mot all can reach these titles.
First thing that catches the eye according to the list would be the high merited athletes. Some of the most merited fighters, retired as well as active fighters. Six World Champions! And a couple of European Champions also. But we must also remember that they do more than competition, being a profile like so also mean that camps, seminar and training sessions are “bread and butter”
But first out: Hiroshi Nanri Shihan 7th Dan. Many do remember the demonstration at the World Championships. In 2007, Shihan Hiroshi Nannri performed special demonstration at The 9th World Championship. He was 66 years old then, and his special demonstration included breaking hanging cement blocks and icicles. In 2015 he also made a demonstration at the 11th World Championship, and that in an impressive age 74 years old! But we need to take a look further back in time, if you are in a hurry you can jump to 2:00 in the video, but we highly recommend seeing the whole…
Winner of the 8th World Championship, and one of the most merited fighters, Kunihiro Suzuki. Also being runner up in the 6th World Championship, and placed 5th in the 7th World Tournament. 3rd place in the World Cup. All Japan Open Open weight Champion four times, also being All Japan Weight category champion, and placed several times top three. Took official farewell to the international fighting arena in 2013, World Cup in Lithuania, but still active in miner tournaments.
Kunihiro Suzuki, 4th Dan. Japan
Maybe the strongest female fighter we have seen ever. Veronika Szovetes from Hungary was almost unstoppable, winning the European Championship more than any other female fighter, and World Champion in 2007. Also winner of the World Cup, World Championship in Weight Categories 2 (?) times. Ans of course also winner of several others open tournaments.With this record we believe that she is one of, if not the most winning female athletes. Last (official) appearance in the World Tournament 2007. Veronika Szovetes,4th Dan. Hungary
The next two we are going to list up, will also be one man and one women, both World Champions, one from Japan and one from Hungary.
Word Champion from 2007 and the 9th World Championship. Winner of the 3rd World Cup in 2005, Osaka , Japan. Third place in the 8th World Championship, 2003. Winner of the All Japan Open weight category back in 2003, 3rd in 2004. Winner of the 36th All Japan Open (Open weight) 2004, reaching the final in the 38th All Japan Open ending 2nd. Besides that he have several top 4 places in All Japan Tournament.
Takayuki Tsukakoshi, 3rd Dan. Japan
Being World Champion for the first time in 2009 – in Hungary organized by Kyokushin-Kan, Royama. Another female Hungarian Champion had made her name known. But it should take several years before new heavy tittles was capture. Being runner up in the EC WKO four years a row (09-12) she finally succeeded to take EC title in 2013 – and stayed there for four years (13-16) So in 2015 – World Champion in Japan, whit out doubt the hardest title to capture!
Csenge Szepesi, 3rd Dan. Hungary
The last female World Champion is from Japan. Winner of the World Championship in 2011, runner up in the World Cup 2013. Top fighter in the All Japan Open for many years, fighting larger opponents have not slowed her down. After a little lay off,holding seminars was on the agenda, up til the comeback was a fact. Winning 48th All Japan Open (Open Weight) made her ready for the 6th World Championship in weight categories 2017, there she was placed 1st place.
Emi Shoguchi, 2nd Dan. Japan
The only double World Champion, winner of the 6th World Champion and the 10th World Champion. Just be able to fight in five World Championships held every 4 year is a very remarkable thing to do – and being number one two times, number seven two times, and among the top 16 one time.. Winner of the 1st World Cup in 1997, 2nd 2009. Are to find at the top spot in All Japan Open 1994 – up to 2010. Winning several times the openweight as well as the weight categories.
Norchika Tsukamoto, 5th Dan. Japan.
Back in the days, and back in Europe, one fearsome fighter made himself well known winning the 4th European Championship in 1987.And with names as Andy Hug and Michael Thompson behind, the level was high. Being a part of one of the strongest team for many years with fighters as Hans Mars, Eric Constancia,Robert Van Boxtel and last but not least Peter Smith. Entering the world tournament in the same year, and placed top 16!
Michel Wedel, 5th Dan. Netherlands
In 2016, Salahat Hasanov was crown as the European Champion. This was the first top spot in fifteen years! In 1999 European Champion Allahvezdi Rustamov, Azerbaijan. Now for the most of us known as Brand Chief and country representative for Azerbaijan. Fighting in the 7th World tournament, advancing to round three, lost to Muzaffer Bacak, who ended 2nd. Four year later advances in to round two, loses top world class fighter Denis Grigoriev.
Allahvezdi Rustamov 6th Dan, Azerbaijan.