Sensei Brad's Report is HERE with a photo gallery

Reported by Haoyin Zheng

Enter the World
　

After the North American Selection Tournament in Montreal on March 26, Johnny and I started to prepare for the 3rd world weight category tournament in Tokyo.   The tournament draw was released in April.  We found out that Johnny will be facing Andrey Stepin, a strong Russian fighter and I will be facing Felipe Kuwahara, a lightweight from Brazil.  We mainly focused on fighting strategy against our opponents.  Stepin is known for his uppercuts and inside low kick, so Johnny worked on defense and counters against those combinations.  I knew almost nothing about my opponent, other than he took 2nd place at the South American selection.  Since Brazilians are famous for their kicks, and lightweight fighters usually have great stamina, I focused mainly on head defense and stamina. 

We left for Tokyo on April 26 via Seattle.  After a 9 hour flight, we got on the shuttle bus at Narita Airport and headed into Tokyo.  It was my first time in Japan so I was rather curious to look around.   The bus ride took just under 2 hours.  The Crown Plaza Metropolitan Hotel in Ikekubero is located directly in front of Honbu, and a large banner reading "Welcome, 3rd World Weight Category Tournament, Kyokushinkaikan" greeted us at the hotel front door.  After checking in, we went out for dinner and walked around the neighbourhood.  Since I can read Kanji and have traveled to Asia many times, I felt I was able to get around without too much trouble.   

Most of the other teams have checked in by 4/28.  It was interesting to see the great fighters of Kyokushin such as Lechi, Teixeira, Kozlov, Stepin, etc. walking around in plain clothes.  In a way this reminded me that they are simply human, just like everyone else. 

On 4/29, Shihan Corrigal, Sensei Brad and I went to the Tokyo Gym to watch some of the kata and kids tournament.  Tokyo Gym is only 6 stops away from the hotel on the Tokyo Metro, very easy to get to.  When I saw the Japanese kids warm up in the gym, I was amazed at their discipline, technique, stamina and most of all, spirit.  They simply do not quit.  The new generation of Japanese tournament fighters will no doubt emerge from this group.  If Canadian fighters want to be victorious over their Japanese counterparts, never quitting spirit is a must. 

The official weigh-in for all non-Japanese fighters took place in the hotel on the night of 4/29.  The official fighter's package of tournament program, t-shirt, competitors' and coaches' passes were handed out to everyone.  The weigh-in allowed everyone to have a closer look at their opponents.  A few fighters talked among their own teammates, otherwise very little were said. 

We spent our last day before the tournament relaxing in Ikekubero. After several days of resting, we were anxious to fight.  Sensei Tats arrived at the tournament hotel on Saturday (4/30) night and talked a bit with us. 

　

First Rounds

All competitors gathered at the hotel lobby at 830 am on May 1.  Two buses took us to Tokyo Gym where we proceeded to the sub arena and set up our own warm up areas.  The Brazilian team took a prominent spot and Riuji Isobe put up the Brazilian flag on the wall.  They then huddled in the middle of the gym and chanted "Brasil".  Their team seemed to be the most united.   

I started warming up shortly since the lightweight division starts right after opening ceremony.  I followed my usual routine of stretching, 3 rounds of shadow boxing and 2 rounds on the big mitt.  Surprisingly, I felt very relaxed, not nervous at all.  All fighters marched into the main arena and lined up on the fighting area.  After the Japanese national anthem, Kancho Matsui delivered opening speech, then Sensei Tagahara from Japan and Sensei Kostov from Bulgaria declared fighters' oath.   

The first fight started right away after rules explanation.  Riuji Isobe fought very well against the Australian fighter and scored ippon with chudan mawashi geri within one minute into the match.  Four more matches went by quickly; I stepped into the ring as my name was called by the announcer.  Felipe Kuwahara attacked immediately after the match began.  He had solid, fast techniques.  I mainly defended for the first bit of the match, always watching for his high kick.  I felt more comfortable as the match continued since I was able to neutralize his attacks and felt no damage.  Time went by very quickly, I heard sensei Tats call "30 seconds left" and started to attack more aggressively.  Towards the end of the round, I felt that he was getting tired and was slowing down.  However, before I realized it, time was up and I had dropped a 3-0 decision.  I had no injuries and felt no fatigue.  In that sense, it was very disappointing.  Thinking back about the fight, I simply waited too long and was not aggressive enough in the first 2 minutes.  This was due to a lack of international experience.   

Surprisingly, one of the Japanese favorites, Masafumi Tagahara was overwhelmed by the power and aggressiveness of Gogonel from Romania and was eliminated in the first round.  The other three Japanese fighters, Suzuki, Shiojima and Fukui all advanced to the quarter finals by decision.   

Dominic Adam from Montreal was in the first fight of the middle weight division against a Japanese favorite, Hiroyuki Kidachi.  Dominic fought very well in the first round, pushing Kidachi back with front kicks and low kicks.  Kidachi's punches did not seem to have any effect on Dominic's body.  However this was not enough for the judges and the fight continued into the extension round.  Overall the extension round was fairly even, Kidachi fought back with punches while Dominic mainly stood his ground and used kicks.  At one point Dominic taunted Kidachi, inviting him to punch.  This proved to be a poor strategy as the match was awarded to Kidachi.  Dominic had no injuries and was nevertheless disappointed. 

Emil Kostov of Bulgaria showed his punching power, winning by Ippon without breaking a sweat. 

In the heavyweight division, Russia's Maxim Dedik showed great skill and power against Poland's Piotr Banasik, gaining Ippon by two wazaris.   Another excellent Polish fighter, Habraszka was defeated by Russian fighter Titkov.   Stoyko Kolev from New York fought reasonably well against Kenshin Morimura from Japan, but lost by decision.  Japan's favorite, Tanaka Kentaro also advanced easily by a 5-0 decision. 

The super heavyweight division started with Russia's Lechi Kurbanov against New Zealand's Warren Gabb.  Despite the large weight and size advantage, Warren seemed to be very timid against Lechi.  This allowed Lechi to time his attacks and easily won by 2 wazaris, punch to the stomach, and back spin kick.  The third fight of the division was Johnny Leblanc against Russia's Andrey Stepin.  Stepin threw inside low kicks and punched hard.  Johnny was able to check most of the low kicks and match Stepin's punches.  Towards the end of the round, both fighters became more aggressive and traded non stop punches and low kicks.  Stepin landed more techniques and seemed a bit stronger and was awarded the decision after one round.  Other favorite fighters such as Pichkounov, Tokuda and Teixeira also advanced to the quarter finals without any trouble. 

　

Quarter Finals

　

The quarter final matches began after a long tamashiwari session. 

In the first quarter final match, Riuji Isobe looked tired against Japanese fighter Yuzo Suzuki.  Isobe simply backed up as Suzuki kept punching away.  Suzuki won a deserving 5-0 decision.  Shiojima narrowly defeated Murakaev after three rounds.  Fukui was doing very well against Kuwahara when he suddenly injured his leg and could not continue.  Kuwahara advanced by Ippon.  Romanian Lucian Gogonel looked very strong against South African fighter Mthembu and won by decision. 

In the middleweight division, Andrews Nakahara of Brazil looked very impressive.  His excellent technique and stamina put him through to the semi finals. Kostov won by punching his way through his opponent.  Japanese fighters Sakurai and Kidachi also advanced. 

Dedik easily over powered Brazil's Eduardo Tanaka and advanced in the heavyweight division.  Japan's Kentaro Tanaka had a hard match against Russia's Darmen, but won by decision.  Fabiano Da Silva of Brazil and Japan's Morimura made up the rest of the top four. 

The super heavyweight quarter finals was action packed.  Lechi landed his trademark ushiro mawashi geri on Armenia's Hovhannisian and scored Ippon.  Teixiera landed a well timed Jodan Hiza Geri on Mikhail Kozlov shortly into the match, knocking Kozlov out cold. 

Russia's Alexandre Pichkounov fought one extension against his countryman Temrokov and won by decision.  Stepin fought Tadakuni Tokuda, the only Japanese fighter remaining in the top 8.  Tokuda had little response to Stepin's punches and knees, so Stepin advanced after one extension.

　

Semi Finals

　

Two of the best Japanese lightweight fighters, Suzuki and Shiojima fought first.  Shiojima looked tired in this match, Suzuki looked very fresh and attacked non-stop with punches and knees.  His multiple knee combination looked impressive.  Suzuki won by decision after one round.

Kuwahara fought Gogonel.  Gogonel is a very strong fighter with heavy punches and kicks.  Kuwahara did not check low kicks and backed up against Gogonel's punches.  Finally Gogonel got wazari with chudan tsuki and advanced to the finals. 

Brazil's Andrews Nakahara faced Japan's Kidachi in the first semi final match in the middle weight division.  Nakahara had amazing high kicks, including a dangerous axe kick that has Kidachi concerned.  Nakahara seemed to have more power than Kidachi and a wider display of techniques.  The bout was declared draw after two extensions so the decision went to Nakahara based on number of boards broken at tamashiwari.

In the other semi final match, Japanese fighter Sakurai backed up against Emil Kostov's powerful punches.  Kostov had the upper hand in the first round but it was declared a draw.  In the first extension round, Kostov continued to punch while Sakurai fought hard to not back up as much.  In the final extension round, Kostov's powerful combinations began to seem predictable, and he looked slightly tired and frustrated.  Sakurai kept fighting back, but really had no effect on Kostov.  I was surprised to see the decision go to Sakurai.  Had it gone to the tamashiwari tally, Kostov would have won. 

In the heavyweight division, Maxim Dedik faced Japan's Morimura.  Morimura simply took the punishment from Dedik and did not fight back very much in the first round.  In the extension, Dedik attacked more aggressively and landed a jodan mawashi geri.  There was some discrepancy as to whether Dedik punched Morimura in the throat.  After many replays on the big screen, Dedik was given a chuyi.

In the other match, Kentaro Tanaka easily defeated Brazil’s Fabiano Da Silva by 5-0 and advanced to the finals 

The super heavyweight semifinal matches were Lechi vs. Andrey Stepin and Teixeira vs.Pichkounov. 

Lechi and Stepin fought cautiously for the first half of the bout.  Lechi casually adjusted his already perfectly tied belt, then exploded into his trademark ushiro mawashi geri which landed squarely on Stepin’s face.  In the blink of an eye, Stepin fell to the ground lifelessly.  He did not move and a stretcher was used to carry him out of the ring.  The audience was in awe of Lechi’s perfect technique.  A devastating ichigeki technique such as Lechi’s certainly drives fear into future opponents. 

Teixeira had a tough match against Pichkounov.  The match could have gone into an extension but Teixeira was able to advance by a 3-0 decision.

During the intermission, the two world champions, Shihan Filho and Sensei Kiyama put up a great demonstration.  Flawless fighting techniques were displayed, as well as expert ice breaking.  It is certainly a treat to see the top practitioners demonstrate their ability.  This was certainly one of the best demonstrations of all time.

In the fights for 3rd place, Shiojima out punched and kicked Kuwahara, winning by 5-0 decision. Kostov did not show for the fight, thus 3rd place went to Kidachi. Fabiano Da Silva easily defeated Morimura. Stepin was injured so 3rd place of the super heavyweight divison went to Pichkounov. 

　

World Champs

　

In the lightweight final, Romania's Lucian Gogonel and Japan's Yuzo Suzuki had a great match, going through two extension rounds.  Both fighters gave it their best.  Gogonel's techniques seemed to have more power and he was deservingly awarded the lightweight title after seven full minutes of fighting. 

In the middleweight final, Nakahara again displayed his wide array of high kicks against a battered Sakurai, almost landing a couple of text book axe kicks.  Nakahara took the middleweight title without doubt. 

In the heavyweight final, Kentaro Tanaka kept a low stance and focused on low kicks against Maxim Dedik.  Tanaka's defense was excellent as he did not get hit very much during the match.  Tanaka had slightly better technique and form and the match was awarded to him after one round.  This would be the only Japanese title of the tournament. 

As predicted by many people, Ewerton Teixeira and Lechi Kurbanov faced each other in the super heavyweight finals.  Lechi attacked aggressively in the first round and was awarded one flag from the judges.  In the first extension, Teixeira's power began to show as Lechi did not answer back to his punches and low kicks.  At this point, Lechi also seemed tired as his movements slowed and none of his many attempts of ushiro mawashi geri came even close to landing on Teixeira.  In the final extension round, Teixeira attacked more aggressively with punches and low kicks while Lechi looked like he ran out of gas.  Lechi attempted even more roll kicks and spin kicks, even a front roll kick.  However, at this point these previously deadly techniques seemed like out of desperation.  The judges did not hesitate to award the title to Teixeira. 

　

See you in 2007

　

Kancho Matsui delivered a speech at the sayonara party later in the night, then the top four fighters of each division spoke briefly of their training and thoughts of the tournament.  The party was only 2 hours long, so we talked to shihans, fighters and coaches from other branches.  Amazingly, most of the fighters did not seem to be seriously injured.  I chatted with my opponent, Kuwahara for a bit afterwards and was surprised to hear that only a few members of the Brazilian team train full time, all others, including himself, have to work or study.  I deeply admire their dedication and spirit.   

Many teams left on the following morning (5/2).  We spent our last day in Tokyo with a bit of sightseeing and rest. 

So unfortunately all three Canadian fighters lost in the first round.  However, the difference between North American fighters and other top fighters is not as large as I had imagined.  With dedicated, hard training, they can be defeated.  It is truly up to the individual fighter to decide what he wants to accomplish.  Our main weakness compared to Russia, Brazil and Japan is the intensely competitive atmosphere and the number of active fighters.  The quality of tournament fighters inevitably increases with a larger pool of competitors and sparring partners.  As our organization grows, there will be more students and more fighters will certainly emerge.  I hope that in the next World Open Tournament in 2007, a Canadian fighter will reach the final day and place in the top 32.   

In the end, I would like to thank Shihan Stuart Corrigal and IKOK-C for supporting me in the event.  Once again, I would also like to express my gratitude to Sensei Tats, Sempai Joel, Sempai Dean, Johnny, Michi, and the entire Vancouver Kyokushin Karate team for training and preparing me for the tournament.  I would never have gone this far without their support.   Osu. 

This tournament exposed many weaknesses for me.  I will work hard to improve myself and prepare for the next tournament. 

Osu! 

Haoyin Zheng
Vancouver Kyokushin Karate