Dear Country Representatives, Shihan and Sensei
As you may be aware of, in the recent few weeks European Kyokushin has been seriously attacked by IKO Honbu.
Just few days ago, they removed our dear friend and respected Shihan Andre Drewniak, as he was the one who sent an e-mail protecting EKKO and our Country Representative’s policy. (*see the attachment 1)
On the next day, Shihan Pinero was blackmailed with an e-mail from Honbu, saying that if we do not resolve EKKO immediately, he would not be allowed to meet Kancho at the meeting in Bucharest. (*see the attachment 2)
After such a disrespectful message from Honbu, Shihan Pinero and Shihan Hollander informed Kancho Matsui, that they decided to leave IKO and sent the letter of explanation for this decision.
Ridiculously enough, on the next day Shihan Gorai sent a short message from his BlackBerry mobile phone saying that IKO Honbu does not accept their resignation and Kancho decided to expell them from IKO, as of August 13.” (*see the attachment 3)
As you see, till the very end they tried not to lose the face. It was already too late though.
We have already sent a letter to correct the lie on IKO Honbu’s website, that Shihan Hollander and Shihan Pinero has been expelled. They were not expelled, but they left. That is a big difference.
Our decision was made long before that. In the time of such a disrespectful attack and trial to take over EKKO, what we have been building for the last 40 years, we decided to leave IKO Kyokushinkaikan lead by Kancho Shokei Matsui.
He was a great karateka, fighter and leader in the moment he took over the organisation from the late Sosai Oyama. We all respected him and supported in the time of many crisis situations before. The way his organisation has been lead in the last few years however, was not acceptable and the last incident of trying to take over the European organisation does not even need a comment.
It is a big shame, he and his people did not respect the will of Sosai Oyama, who personally insisted on registering the EKKO and was supporting it strongly in his lifetime.
We know also, that Shokei Matsui is not the authentic leader of IKO Kyokushinkaikan anymore. All these strange decisions, including the idea of invading the Europe has been made by Yoshiko Tomita. Some of you might have seen her during the latest tournaments in Japan. It is a shame Kancho have never had enough courage to introduce this mysterious person to us.
With this letter, we would like to invite you to take part in the extraordinary EKKO meeting in Bucharest’s Intercontinental Hotel, the upcoming Friday and Saturday, August 20-21.
Details will be sent to you soon.
Respectfully yours.
OSU !
Shihan Loek Hollander
Shihan Antonio Pinero
Shihan Andre Drewniak
Shihan Lars Hoquist
Shihan Stanislav Blizniuk