Due to the war in Ukraine, which Russia unleashed against the Ukrainian people, the international organization decided that the IKO European Championship 2022 will be held without sportsmans from Russia and Belarus.
A letter with relevant information was received by the Branch Chiefs of the International Organization Kyokushinkaikan.
Dear IKO European 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 education of youth. Opportunities to gather at competitive events brings us closer together as a global community.
The IKO European Championship are scheduled for Varna, Bulgaria this June 2022. Due to the war in Ukraine, IKO Kyokushinkaikan has made the difficult, for the safety of all participants, to disallow the participants of IKO Russia and IKO Belarus members and representative in IKO Kyokushinkaikan international gathering at this time.
We are an international community of hundreds of thousand of active members around the world. Through mutual exchange and camaraderie, the IKO Kyokushinkaikan strives to contribute to World Peace.
I believe our IKO Russian and Belarusian members are as disheartened by this situation, as are we all. IKO Honbu hopes peace will come soon, and all IKO members can get together as one family again. We look forward to that day, and to seeing all IKO member nations unite again for our common goal, at the 13th World Open in Tokyo, 2023.
Best regards,
Katsuhito Gorai
Director, International Department
IKO Kyokushinkaikan
3/16/2022
