News · December 10, 2023

World Cup Chile 2023 — seminar and grading

In December 2023, the Mexican Kyokushin representation took part in the 6th IKO Matsushima Kyokushin Karate World Cup, held in Santiago, Chile. The official world-cup program ran from December 8 to 13, with the main competition on December 9 and 10 at Estadio Víctor Jara.

The World Cup, organized under IKO Matsushima with Branch Chief Claudio Toledo in Chile, brought together delegations from the Americas, Africa, Europe and Oceania — including teams from Australia, South Africa and Ukraine — in a high-level setting with official tatamis, an officiating crew and a trophy table.

Competition: kata, open cup and kumite

According to the program published by IKO Matsushima, the day included the Kata World Cup, the International Open Cup and the weight-division kumite categories of the World Cup. The stadium setting — an indoor complex with capacity for thousands of spectators — concentrated much of the activity to reduce travel between venues.

World camp, seminar and Dan grading

In addition to the tournament, the cycle included the World Camp at Hacienda Picarquín (about an hour from Santiago), with joint training, a seminar and a Dan grading. Combining international competition and technical training is characteristic of these Matsushima world events.

For the Mexican school, participation in Chile was part of its international cycle within the Matsushima circuit: measuring level on the world tatami and using the seminar and examinations as formative continuity for the dojo.

The outdoor group photo summarizes the spirit of the trip: practitioners of different ages and grades gathered at the same international event, with the support of the Mexican organization.

Context based on official releases from IKO Matsushima about the 6th World Cup in Santiago (December 9–10, 2023) and the associated camp at Hacienda Picarquín.