Deepening of relations with the Hungary Branch, an organization full of tradition, and the meeting with SportAccord President Marius Vizer
The Hungary Branch, full of history and tradition, organized a camp. Led by Shihan Kalman, many participants actively took part in the trainings. During the visit, there was a meeting with SportAccord President Marius Vizer, and it was a very meaningful trip to Hungary.
The annual summer camp was held during July 4-6 in Siofok, 130 kilometers southwest of Hungary’s capital Budapest, and President Midori and Technical Committee Chairman Yasuharu Fujihara led the technical trainings for the 130 participants.
Shihan Furko Kalman (7th Dan), the organizer of the event, is a member of the WKO Grading Committee, and one of the famous senior members in the world. The Hungary Branch, one of the largest Branches in the world with a long tradition, is also known for developing strong competitors, such as World Champion Veronika Szovetes.
The camp site, Siofok, is on the southern coast of Lake Balaton in Western Hungary, the largest lake in central Europe, and is a famous lakeside resort area. The camp was for three days and two nights, with 3 trainings a day, in the early morning, morning, and late afternoon. During their free time, participants enjoyed the lakeside atmosphere, and they very much enjoyed this “Resort & Training” content of the camp.
There was plenty to learn, such as the Kata seminar held outside by Shihan Fujihara in the early morning and late afternoon, and the Kumite seminar held inside by President Midori in the morning. Shihan Fujihara, while checking the movement of the participants, provided opportunities for technical improvement, and the participants seemed very interested when he explained Kata Bunkai in detail. The clear understanding in everybody’s facial expression, towards the technical explanation by Shihan Fujihara, who travels around the world to lead trainings as the Technical Committee Chairman, was one of the highlights of the camp.
For the Kumite seminar, President Midori explained the importance of reviewing “Uke” (defense), as one of the key factors in going deep and winning in tournaments, and this was trained repeatedly. The participants very much understood President Midori’s explanation, “If training of hand techniques and foot techniques of Uke are continued, it will improve. The review of these basic movements is the key to improving competition ability”. They all seemed very happy and impressed, to be led in training by President Midori personally.
The Hungary Branch is planning an international tournament for September 2014, to be held as a memorial event to mark the 20th anniversary of Sosai Oyama’s death, and observation of related sites and arrangements of organizational issues were carried out during the visit. It was agreed that this event will be coordinated by further deepening the cooperative relationship with WKO Headquarters, and that the tournament will be co-organized (with WKO Headquarters). Also, as a matter related to the Olympic Games, there was a meeting with President Marius Vizer. He is the President of the IJF (International Judo Federation), and was elected President at the SportAccord General Assembly this May. He is an influential figure, and one of the key members WKO should develop a very close connection with, for the inclusion of Karate in the Olympic Games, which WKO actively promotes.
Shihan Kalman and Mr. Vizer have known each other for a long time, and this connection played a large role in arranging this meeting. Mr. Vizer has a deep understanding of Kyokushin Karate, and he expressed his position that he would like to support Kyokushin Karate, regardless of groups/organizations. He also expressed his understanding that the unification of Kyokushin, and the unification of Full Contact Karate, is our most important task. We very much appreciated his precious advice, an indication of a clear path to pursue our goals. It can be said that this was a very fruitful trip to Hungary.
Report by WKO Executive Director Yasukazu Koi, Photographs by Hungary Branch and
WKO Executive Director Yasukazu Koi