9-10 December 2017 in Ekaterinburg, Russia in Metropolitan Sport Hall the third unification KWU Kyokushin World Championship were organized with participation of 242 fighters from 48 countries. This great event was comparable to the Olympic Games. The event was prepared very professionally and the audience had a chance to appreciate the advantage of lightings settings, cameras, live broadcast (e.g. replays in slow motion of the most interesting elements of fights). It all gave satisfaction to about five thousand spectators and countless viewers of the event who followed live broadcast on the Internet.
7 December 5 buses repainted in the colors of the championships took everyone from Airport to the Riviera Convention Center. December 8 was devoted to active rest i.e. morning warm-up, sightseeing, medical checkups, organizational issues and an organizational general meeting for all competitors, judges and organizers.
On the first day of the Championship, December 9, qualifications fights were held on three mats. The fights were full of surprises. On the second day there was a spectacular opening ceremony (professional dancers and mimes doing their show referring to the Japanese martial arts). The most impressing show was prepared by the famous Japanese Taiko drum group who implemented a lot of visual effects. The official opening of the World Championships and raise of the KWU flag was executed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Yuri Trutniev, President KWF Antonio Pinero, President IKF David Pickthall and President KKI Hatsuo Royama. The face of the Championships was a famous actor Dolph Lundgren, who supports the initiative of TIME TO BE UNITED.
The 14 final fights took place on one mat. They were dominated by Russians. The KWF fighters won 16 medals. Also the awards were given to the contestants in a very nice atmosphere. The awards were presented by the aforementioned shihans and shihan Andre Drewniak, shihan Koen Scharremberg, shihan Romas Vitkauskas and shihan Hennie Bossman. As part of the accompanying events, an International Judges Course, the KWU Board Meeting and the Press Conference were held.
After that there was held a solemn Sayonara in the Center where participants received films with their fights and best championship spots.
A local and central TV stations, radio and press informed about the course of events and accompanying other events for two days. The costs of accommodation of all participants in Jekaterinburg were covered by the Kyokushin World Union. The organizer of event was KWU General Secretary Sergey Suvorov and his Team.
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