Written by Kenneth Lim
*Disclaimer: The following are based on Kenneth’s experience and understanding, aiming to provide insider insights to Kyokushin Karate.
Hi everyone, my name is Kenneth and I have been practicing Kyokushin Karate for over the last 11 years. This article is not to prove that Kyokushin Karate is the best, but to educate anyone who might be interested to give Kyokushin a try. So hence, a little more background about myself so you may better assess the judgment for yourself. Like most Singaporeans, I do not train Kyokushin Karate full-time and professionally (even though I should, and let me explain that much later). Over the years, I have been training at least for the bare minimum 2 hours every Friday night with Yio Chu Kang Karate Dojo and during my first 4-5 years, I would train anywhere between 3 – 5 days each week, each time under 2 hours.
Why am I such an advocate to Kyokushin Karate?
Firstly, the harsh reality of this full contact martial arts leaves very little room for “wayang” (for show). Please understand that this form of martial arts is hardly a form of sport nor a form of entertainment display. To set the record straight, Kyokushin tournaments follow the Knock Down Rules, hence to say, there is only half points and one point awarded during a match. Half point for an effective technique to cause serious damage to your opponent while a full point can either constitute of 2 half points or simply… having a technique that resulted in an instant knockout (KO).
You may look up Kyokushin tournaments on YouTube and watch what happens there.
Hence, the practicality of Kyokushin Karate got me attracted to it for over a decade. I still remember that on most occasions if one is not careful, then stay prepared to receive some fresh bruises and wounds after each sparring session. And there are many benefits to that.
It reminds the karateka that fancy moves may look good on the screens but when it comes to an actual fight, you really want to get the fight over and done with, all within that few strikes. This point really goes back to why most karatekas are quite adamant about training up every basic strikes repeatedly over YEARS!
What is the mindset that has been passed on in Kyokushin?
Founder of Kyokushin Karate, Mas Oyama, has been revered as “God Hand” in Japan and until this date remains the only man who has challenged the whole of Japan and won. As some has claimed Kyokushin Karate to be the “strongest karate”, Oyama continues to preach an hardworking attitude and humble spirit.
It has also often been taught that “One strike, certain death”, very much like the ancient samurai’s discipline that if the sword has been drawn then blood shall spill. Of course not to that extent, but the essence simply meant that you must bring down your opponent ideally in one single effective strike.
How about the physical training?
Like what has been mentioned earlier, one cannot deliver that killing blow without years of dedicated training. The fact that Oyama enforced Kyokushin as a full contact martial art was so that people remain down-to-earth and trains hard both in body and mind. So hence, expect many body conditioning exercises intended to strengthen your body to take blows, also to toughen up your overall body structure so that every body part can potentially be an effective body weapon (i.e. knuckles, elbows, knees, shin etc.)
And training should actually be infused into one’s daily life. Besides having a routine to train everyday, training can take place anywhere. It could be on the public transport where you train on your balance or you train on your Sanchi Dachi (a form of stance). Eventually one can start to feel the change in your own body, especially when you find yourself being much more efficient in movements, maneuvering,
Is Kyokushin still an art? Or just bull fighting?
In my opinion, it depends on yourself. From my experience, it is still an art since it forces you think how can you manage bigger size opponents who are stronger, better and faster. Also, Kyokushin is very much mental as much as physical. And all these will be shaped eventually if you train hard consistently over time. Kata, also known as form or prearranged sequence, trains the karateka mentally and also the “inner” aspects such as breathing, enhancing your qi and trains your discipline and focus.
Karate, all-in-all, has many facets to it and it takes perhaps decades of dedicated training to even start to appreciate the true beauty of it. Of course, there are also values, respect and honor taught. Some karatekas eventually discovered that it is not too fun to fight and violence should never be an option. Ironically as it sounds, self defense, self discipline are absolutely still necessary, because we never know when those skills are needed to protect our loved ones or to stand up against injustice.
Personally, being an avid traveler, Kyokushin definitely has served as one of the most essential accessory anyone can bring into a foreign ground. If you are also a martial artist, do let us hear your experience and benefits of martial arts in general!
Yio Chu Kang Budokan Kyokushinkaikan Karate Dojo 