Kyokushin-Kan Internacional 

Kancho Royama points out that it is critical that we, in Kyokushin-kan, reclaim what was lost. As karateka we must develop self-defensive reflexes against hand strikes to the head. The creation of the new face-contact tournament rules for certain specific tournaments in Japan (including our first face-contact world tournament that was held past year) is a result of that mandate. However, the “traditional” Kyokushin karate practitioner should not panic. Most of us will continue to train for, and compete in, Kyokushin tournaments with traditional rules. The theory is that an elite class of competitors who want to compete with head punches will do so and that, since that group will become role models and also continue to fight in the tournaments with traditional rules, the entire “style” will be influenced towards a better trend in which our stances, footwork, and the way we use our guard to protect our heads will be improved. After all, the reason why an earlier generation of competitors lost the ability to defend their heads was exactly because they were looking at the champions, their heroes, who won tournaments without head punches. Our suggestion, therefore is that if a new class of heroes are developed that fights better (because they’re staying mindful of the possibility of incoming punches to the head), the next generation will be thus positively influenced.

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In conclusion, according to Kancho, it IS vital that we all develop reflexes to defend our heads from punches. It is NOT, however, necessary for all of us to rush into dangerous head-contact competitions. Those who want to try, should try. Those for whom that level of competition doesn’t make sense, should not be pressed. As instructors and sempais, it’s important that we are able to explain this new trend in these non-threatening terms.