News · October 8, 2022

Kyokushin-Kai Open Tournament 2022 in Mexico City

The Kyokushin-Kai Open Tournament 2022 was held on Saturday, October 8, in the gymnasium of Deportivo Casa Popular La Magdalena Contreras, in Mexico City. It was the organization’s first tournament after more than two years of pause because of the pandemic, and it was held as a posthumous tribute to Shihan Gessi Krame, who introduced Kyokushin Karate in Mexico in 1976 and was the only Mexican direct student of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama.

The event was organized by Sensei Jacobo Ramírez Chávez, Branch Chief of IKO Matsushima in Mexico, with the presence of Hanshi Roman Szyrajew, Chairman of IKO Matsushima for North America, who supervised the kumite.

International kumite competition

Competitors from Mexico, Canada and the United States attended. As is traditional in Kyokushin, the competition centered on full-contact kumite, with children’s, junior and adult categories, in women’s and men’s divisions.

In children’s and junior categories, head, instep and fist protection was allowed. In advanced grades the bout was fought without that protection, keeping the rule of not striking the head with a fist or elbow: kicks and knee strikes to the head, chest and legs are permitted. The atmosphere was marked by the intensity of combat and, at the same time, by martiality and respect between opponents.

Autumn camp and Dan examinations

In addition to the tournament, the tribute included an Autumn Camp with training led by Hanshi Roman Szyrajew and Dan examinations. Visiting schools, such as Kyokushinkai Baja California, also took part: Sensei Víctor Ortiz won his category championship and Sensei Juan Ortiz debuted as a judge.

Venue

The gathering took place at Deportivo Casa Popular La Magdalena Contreras, at Avenida Luis Cabrera number 1, Colonia San Jerónimo Lídice, La Magdalena Contreras borough, Mexico City. The final date — after a rescheduling from the original July calendar — widened the possibility of participation.

Sensei Jacobo Ramírez summarized the spirit of the day: after years without competitive activity because of the pandemic, the tournament made it possible to meet again with “brothers of the discipline” and enjoy kumite once more in tribute to Shihan Gessi Krame.

Editorial adaptation for So-Kyokushin Mexico, based on coverage by Sendero Artes Marciales and prior announcements from the same outlet.