We are approaching this year’s big event, the 6th World Cup in Karate Shinkyokushin,and in this context we will take a closer look at athletes in the respective classes.. Four divisions for men/women, and the best fighters from each region are chosen through results from notable tournaments as All Japan open, European Championship etc.

The middleweight up to 75 kg will be a very interesting category. The category have four “outside entries” that clearly will tighten the tournament more. Seibukaikan, Japan, Sokyokushin, Africa, KWU/IFK, UK and Rengokai, Russia. The category also have various nations in a high number, over 20 nations spread over 32 athletes. The category have a mix of fighters that we know from lightweight and middleweigt – from before the weight limits was changed.

Japan and Russia will be the toughest nations we think, but there is of course strong fighters all around the world..Khasai Magomedov, Russia. Top international fighter with many titles across the organizations. Winner of British Open in 2016 was one thing, victorious over Dmitriy Moisseyev, double World Champion weight category in the final was a another thing! European Champion in 2015 (Kyokushin-kan) and European Champion in 2016 KWU, also winner a very strong Szolnok European Cup in 2015.

We think Magomedov will advance, but we will look forward to the second fight, because we also believe that the winner of George Suciu, Romania vs Shunsaku Kawase, Japan will bring some interesting factors “to the table” Further down the draw Georgian veteran : Mikheil Tsiklauri – two times EC Champion, and several times on the EC podium. Made it to the final this years EC in April where he faced a strong Andrius Miseckas, Lithuania.

In the next block ⇑ we got the most interesting “outside entry fighter” : Tenta Onodera, Seibukaikan. This fighter comes of a recently win in the 1st Asian Open KWU, a 3rd place in the KWF World GP, also the runner up in the 3rd All Japan Weight Tournament – 2016 JFKO, only beaten by super athlete Yuki Maeda. So, will Onodera`s slick fight-style and creative legwork hold stand against several time podium All Japan Open fighter Junki Ochi or EC Champion from 2016: Salahat Hasanov, Azerbaijan. The battle of style seems to be a factor here, and that will always raise the interest even more – if possible!

In the 3rd block, a another EC Champion, an the ruling one from 2017, Andrius Miseckas, Lithuania. Well known in the European sector. Very physical hard grinding fight-style, this has brought him to several top spots as the EC podium, Which he entered for the first time more than ten years ago. Did manage to reach the podium last time, 5th World Cup, with 3rd place  Facing young Hotaka Yoshizawa, Japan could be a challenge for Miseckas, as the Japanese fighter holds a very high pace in his style.

The winner will most likely met Dawid Ozga UK, if he win against Asset Akhmadiyev, Kazakhstan.In the same block: Tsuyoshi Midori, Japan and Maxim Smolyakov, Russia. They will also probably met in their 2nd fight and once again it will be an interesting fights so follow. Tsuyoshi Midori ended at 7th place last time in Lithuaniia, lost to home fighter Miseckas – and of course we might see a fight two between them.

Last bock  starts with Rengonkai fighter, Russia Shamil Ramazanov. The reign EC Champion Rengokai 2016. On the other side of the block, the big favorite Yuki Maeda, Japan. Maeda will be the heavy favorite, and it is expected that he will advance. Winner of the  All Japan Weight Tournament – 2014, 15 and 16. First challenge would be Tengiz Bastoian, Georgia.Favorite vise we could come out with Maeda vs Magomedov in the end of the day. But several fighters in the the line up, can turn the tables. If Maeda reaches the final, it would be his second time, lost the final to Dmitriy Moiseev in 2013,Lithuania.