Kyokushin & full-contact Karate
SHIHAN KAHIL SALAM
IIKKF DEPARTMENT
The IIKKF Department is headed by Shihan SALAM KAHIL in Ukraine, Odessa city,and operated out of offices in the USA , Germany, Russia, India, Pakistan and Iran.
On this page you will find information on IIKKF events upcoming, regional International Committee activities and Shihan KAHIL's blog.
Osu!
Who we are?
The International Independent Kyokushin Karate federation follows the Karate way of building character and training the mind and body to contribute to society, based on Sosai Mas Oyama's Kyokushin spirit "Keep your head low (modesty), eyes high (ambition), mouth shut (serenity); base yourself on filial piety and benefit others." We in Kyokushin Karate-Do do not promote or practice discrimination or prejudice based on ethnicity, race, nationality, politics, philosophy, religion, sex or age and recognize that everyone has the same rights. Our greatest pursuit is to reach for the goal of international friendship and world peace. We follow the Budokan group and the family of Sosai.
The history of Kyokushin karate
Sosai Masutatsu Oyama was born on July 27th, 1923, in a village in Southern Korea.
At the age of 9 whilst staying on his sister's farm in Manchuria, he first learnt the Martial Arts, studying the southern Chinese Kempo form known as "Eighteen Hands." In 1938 Mas Oyama traveled to Japan with the desire to enter an aviation school and become a fighter pilot, but he was forced to abandon his dream and find work. He continued practicing judo and boxing and his interest in Martial Arts led him to the dojo of Gishin Funakoshi and thus, he started practicing Okinawa Karate.
With his dedication, Mas Oyama progressed quickly and by the time he was 20 years old he had obtained his fourth Dan. It was at this time that Mas Oyama entered the Japanese Imperial Army and began studying judo in the hope of mastering its holding and grappling techniques. When he stopped training in judo, after about 4 years, he gained a fourth Dan.
Following the defeat of Japan after the second world war, Oyama like all other young Japanese, was thrown into a personal crisis. He found a way out of his despair by training with So Nei Chu, a Korean Master of Goju-Ryu Karate. This great teacher, renowned for the power of his body, and deep spiritual inclination had a profound influence on young Mas Oyama. Master So taught him the inseparability of budo and the spiritual fundamentals of Buddhism. After a few years of training, Master So advised Mas Oyama to make a firm commitment to dedicate his life to the Martial Way and retreat to a mountain hideout and train his mind and body.
In 1946, Mas Oyama went into training, at a remote spot, on the Mt. Kiyosumi in Chiba Prefecture. He was accompanied by one of his students named Yashiro and a friend Mr. Kayama brought them food supplies every month. Through vigorous training, Mas Oyama learnt to overcome the mental strain caused by solitude but Yashiro could not bear it and fled after 6 months. About fourteen months later Mr. Kayama told Mas Oyama that due to unforeseen circumstances he could no longer sponsor Mas Oyama's retreat in the mountains and thus Mas Oyama's original plan of remaining in solitude for three years was brought to an end.
In 1950, Mas Oyama began his famous battles with bulls; partly to test his strength and also to make the world sit up and notice the power of his karate. All together, Oyama fought 52 bulls, killing 3 instantly and taking the horns of 49 with knife-hand blows.
Mas Oyama opened his first "Dojo" in 1953 in Mejiro, Tokyo. This was the time that Mas Oyama's karate strength was at its peak so the training was severe. Many students were members of other styles and Mas Oyama would compare styles and build on his karate. He would take what he felt were the best techniques and concepts from any Martial Art and gradually fit them into his training; therefore, laying the foundations of Kyokushin Karate.
The first "School of Oyama" outside Japan was opened in 1957 by Shihan Bobby Lowe in Hawaii. In 1952, Mas Oyama gave his first demonstration in Hawaii. After the demonstration Shihan Bobby Lowe met Mas Oyama and arranged to train with him. Bobby Lowe's father was an instructor of Kung Fu so he had done much training in the Chinese Martial Arts. He had participated in any fighting Art he could; by the time he was 23 he had earned his 4th Dan in judo, 2nd Dan in Kempo, shodan in Aikido but Mas Oyama's powerful demonstration had stunned him. Mas Oyama invited Bobby Lowe to Tokyo to train with him and Bobby Lowe did and trained for over a year and a half. In this way Shihan Bobby Lowe became the first "uchi-deshi" of Kyokushin, a tradition that later grew to be known as the "Wakajishi" or Young Lions of Mas Oyama, where a select few are chosen each year to devote themselves to Karate for one thousand days.
The building of the World Headquarters started in 1963 and was officially opened in 1964. It was at this time that Mas Oyama adopted the name Kyokushin "The Ultimate Truth". Kyokushin had started its spread around the globe and at present is one of the largest martial art organization in the world.
It goes without saying that a style is only as strong as the students who represent it. This is why it is the responsibility of all those who have chosen to follow Sosai, to train hard and forge and indomitable spirit so that the tradition of strength in Kyokushin Karate may be recognized by all for many years.
About Shihan Sobhi Berri
Shihan Berri
OSU!
Shihan Berri was born in Lebanon 1959. He started to practice karate in 1973 with the style of master Akomoto and Master Nakayama for 6 months. He attended the yellow belt in Shotokan karate style. After two years he started to learn the kyokushin-kai karate style with Master Hachem Makki, and attended the 1st Dan black belt at the end of 1977.
With his 1st Dan, he started to teach in the dojo of Master Makki, and became his training helper until 1979. After that, Berri had a contract with the Iraqi police and military to train them by the way of Masutattsu Oyama. Shihan Sobhi Berri was one of the first Arabic instructors who started to train kyokushin-kai in Iraq. In 1980 he already held the rank of 2nd Dan. After that he returned to home land Lebanon and joined the Lebanese police department and continued to coach police officers and at the same time civil students at Makkis dojo. In 1982 the Lebanese government sent him to Paris, and there Berri had a hard training in Savat, kickboxing and wrestling. He also trained the French police officers by the kyokushin-kai way. In 1987 he attended the 3rd Dan in kyokushin-kai and in 1993 the 4th Dan. In the end of 1993 year he founded his own karate federation (MARTIAL ARTS & SELF-DEFENSE) under the Lebanese karate federation. After that he came to the USA, and joined the World Self-Defense federation and became their Lebanese representative. In 1994 the he already held the 5th Dan black belt with the chief hood of the Middle-East. In 1996 Shihan Berri were awarded with the 7th Dan by the World Self-Defense federation for his hard work in martial arts development. In 2000 year he attended the 8th Dan in kyokushin-kai as a founder of his own federation. Now he's the president of the international kyokushin-kai & self-defense federation witch based in the USA.
Berris federation is recognized by many of kyokushin-kai groups and organizations. It also has many branches around the world.
In the mean time Shihan Berri is one of the most popular Arabian kyokushin-kai instructors and always doing his best to join all karateka around the world in one powerful and united federation.
With the respect of Shihan Salam Kahil 6th Dan kyokushin karate
Shihan Salam Kahil
Shihan Salam Kahil-1983
I was born in Lebanon 1967, in the capital city, Beirut. In 1980 I started to practice karate kyokushinkai. My teacher was grand master HASHEM MAKKI, the branch chief of the Lebanese kyokushinkai organization. 1984 is the year when I attended the 1-st Dan black belt degree. In 1988 I came to Odessa (Ukraine), to study and I organized my first group and started to teach karate. My club name was karate dojo.
In the year 1990 I returned to Lebanon and took a test on the 2-end Dan. After my return to Odessa, I knew that already exist a Ukrainian kyokushinkai federation, but from the first contact with them, I felt that I am not welcome in their organization. In 1991 I developed my own federation and style. It was the simmey-do karate or the way of the bright spirit. It is a mix style, so universal. The base was kept from kyokushinkai karate with the add of jiu-jitsu elements and kickboxing punches. At the present time we have many branches in a different countries . Russia, Ukraine, Chechnya, Dagestan, Armenia and many more. In 2005 year I joined the international Kyokushin-kai & Self-Defense Federation and became it representative in Ukraine with the rank of 6th Dan black belt. In the beginning of the year 2006, I have developed the international independent Kyokushin karate federation, to continue the way of Mas. Oyama.
What is Kyokushin?
Shihan Salam Kahil-1990
KYOKUSHIN Karate is a classical Japanese form stemming from several Asian 'styles' or systems of martial arts.
Kids entering the IIKKF Kids Program will be introduced to the ABC's of authentic karate practice with the goal being to give an insight into their own unique spirit through the mysterious excitement of this ancient Japanese martial art. No experience is necessary and students who have had martial arts before will be guided with care to seamlessly adapt their skills to the Kyokushin method.
In all our sessions the importance of self-discipline and respect for themselves and others is stressed while we incorporate fundamental fitness drills, interactive games and traditional karate techniques, in a safe and kids-friendly atmosphere.
In each class we will start off together and kneel down for a brief period of traditional Japanese "Mokuso" meditation period followed by simple warm-up exercises. Minutes later we reassemble for stretching and then move immediately into individual practice of karate punches, kicks and blocks. During each session, we incorporate group games and other unique activities that promote camaraderie and teamwork and give the kids a sense of friendly competition. Again, in all areas of the session, we instill in our students the significance of karate practice, where and when to use these maneuvers for real, while allowing them a venue by which they may open their eyes to "Budo", the Way of the Samurai.
The kids are often paired with one another near the close of class to practice elementary application of the techniques under instructor supervision. This lets them practice balance and target accuracy in a down-to-earth manner. This is all done smoothly and gradually, but Kyokushin karate is a contact 'sport' so protective gear is required to participate.
The terminology is Japanese which we step by step translate into English, giving the kids an exceptional opportunity for appreciation of the language and culture of Japan. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our program and look forward to meeting you soon.
Dojo Kun (Dojo Oath)
* We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm unshaking spirit.
* We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence.
* We will follow our god, and never forget the true virtue of humility.
* We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires. All our lives, through the discipline of karate, we will seek to fulfil the true meaning of the kyokushin way.
The Eleven Mottoes of Mas Oyama
- The Martial Way begins and ends with courtesy. Therefore, be properly and genuinely courteous at all times.
- Following the Martial Way is like scaling a cliff - continue upwards without rest. It demands absolute and unfaltering devotion to the task at hand.
- Strive to seize the initiative in all things, all the time guarding against actions stemming from selfish animosity or thoughtlessness.
- Even for the Martial Artist, the place of money cannot be ignored. Yet one should be careful never to become attached to it.
- The Martial Way is centered in posture. Strive to maintain correct posture at all times.
- The Martial Way begins with one thousand days and is mastered after ten thousand days of training.
- In the Martial Arts, introspection begets wisdom. Always see contemplation on your action as an opportunity to improve.
- The nature and purpose of the Martial Way is universal. All selfish desires should be roasted in the tempering fires of hard training.
- The Martial Arts begins with a point and end in a circle. Straight lines stem from this principle.
- The true essence of the Martial Way can only be realized through experience. Knowing this, learn never to fear its demands.
- Always remember: In the Martial Arts the rewards of a confident and Grateful heart are truly abundant.
