Another reaction of an international organization Kyokushinkaikan to the war in Ukraine unleashed by Russia. This time, Honbu does not allow IKO members take part in events in Russia and Belarus.
Dear IKO Branch Chiefs and licensed Dojo Operators,
Osu,
I hope you and your family are safe and well.
On behalf of all members of the people who lost their lives and those who continue to suffer from the war in Ukraine. I express my gratitude and respect to the people in European nations adjacent to Ukraine, who are helping and supporting the millions of Ukraine refuges.
We are an international community of hundreds of thousands of active members around the world, and endeavor to contribute to society through international exchange, social welfare, and the education of youth. In this moment, we should remember Sosai Masutatsu Oyama’s teaching, that we do not tolerate discrimination or prejudice based on ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, politics or philosophy. We must always strive for our highest purpose, international friendship and World Peace.
IKO Honbu hopes peace will come soon, and all IKO members can get together as on family again. We look forward to that day, and to seeing all IKO member nations unite again for our common goal.
Sincerely,
Kancho Shokei Matsui
President
International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan
3/30/2022
Dear IKO Branch Chiefs and licensed Dojo Operators,
Osu,
I hope you and your family are safe and well.
As members of the International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan family, we endeavor to contribute to society through international exchange, social welfare, and the education of youth. Through mutual exchange and camaraderie, the IKO Kyokushinkaikan strives to contribute to World Peace.
Due to the war in Ukraine, and until further notice, IKO Kyokushinkaikan has made the difficult decision, for the safety of all participants, to disallow the participation of IKO Russia and IKO Belarus members and representatives in IKO events and championships. Likewise, IKO Kyokushinkaikan has determined that IKO international members and representatives from non-Russia/Belarus nations may not participate in IKO Russia and IKO Belarus events and championships.
IKO Honbu hopes peace will come very soon, and all IKO members can get together as one family again.
Best regards,
IKO Honbu
3/30/2022
– On March 16, 2022, Shihan Katsuhito Gorai notified European Branch Chiefs that the European Championship 2022 will be held without Russian and Belarusian fighters.
– On March 25, 2022, on the 30th day of the war, IKO Russia practitioners openly supported the President of the Russian Federation, thus his actions against Ukraine and its citizens. The fighters who participated in the video supported and are proud of the President of Russia: Andrey Chirkov, Igor Zagainov, Daniyal Abdrakhmanov, Arsen Gasoyan, Evgeny Makaev, Artem Oganesyan, Dmitry Ogly, Sergei Novoselov, Jovid Nazarov, Artur Muratov, Konstantin Koganovsky, Ramin Kazymov, Khamid Mazabov, Regina Satvaldieva, Lasha Gabaraev.
