Sosai Masutatsu Oyama (1923-1994) founded the International Karate Organization (IKO) Kyokushinkaikan in 1964. Since then the organization has spread over the world and is now one of the biggest martial arts organizations worldwide. Today the IKO is chaired by Kancho Shokei Matsui in Tokyo (Japan).
Every 4 years since 1975, the prestigious world open full
contact tournament is held in Tokyo. The 12th edition took place in November
2019 with the victory of the Japanese Mikio Ueda, bringing the title back to Japan
after 16 years since the victory of his compatriot Hitoshi Kiyama in 2003.
Karate-Do is a Japanese martial art, or fighting method, involving a variety of
techniques, including blocks, strikes, evasions, throws, and joint
manipulations. Karate practice is divided into three aspects: kihon (basics),
kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).