We are sad to announce that our beloved colleague EKKO board-member, Shihan Christoph Fischer, died on January 17th in the hospital in Hamburg.

Christoph, who was only 46 years old, leaves behind a wife and a daughter. It was known that he was very proud of them. To us, he regularly showed photos of his family. As a husband and a father he will be missed very much.

As Country Representative for Germany Shihan Fischer built a strong German Kyokushin Organization with an increasing number of dojos. Some of his students became international champions. Last summer Christoph was promoted by the International Karate Organization to the high grade of 5t Dan with the honorary title of Shihan.

During the last five years Shihan Christoph Fischer was a well respected member of the board of EKKO. As a responsible treasurer and in a professional way, he took care for all financial matters. This meant days and nights of hard work, especially while at the European Karate tournaments. He seemed tireless and had lots of energy.

In the notary's office in Barcelona in December 2006, together with his colleagues board- members, Shihan Christoph was one of the co-founders in the official registration for the European Kyokushin Karate Organization.

We all will remember Shihan Christoph Fischer for his nice personality, his friendship and his loyalty to the organization that he served with dedication and hard work.

Our thoughts are with the family and the loved ones that he leaves behind.

Board of EKKO

Antonio Pinero 7th Dan, President , Spain
Andre Drewniak 7th Dan Secretary General , Poland
Ton van Rijn 6th Dan Vice President, Netherlands

   Ukrainian Kyokushin Karate Cup 2009 took place in Donetsk on December 12. 170 competitors from 20 regions of Ukraine and the team of Russian Kyokushin Karate Organization take part in this event.
   Special guests were Shihan Katsuhito Gorai (IKO General Secretary) and Shihan Aleksandr Ipatov (the President of Russian Kyokushin Karate Organization).
   Donetsk region became the holder of the Cup. Second place took Kherson region, Poltava region was 3rd.
   The main judge was Sensei Viktor Maksymov. Organisers of the championship were the Honoured president of UKKO Shihan Stanislav Bliznuk and the UKKO General Secretary Sensei Aleksandr Goldobin.

Illustrative trainings under direction of Shihan Katsuhito Gorai took place on December 13 for the Ukrainian Cup participants and UKKO competitors.

   The 9th Openweight Category Kyokushin Karate Championships Paris 2009 took place on November 28. Record number of 166 competitors from 19 european countries participated in the event.
   Special guests were Kancho Shokei Matsui (President of IKO Kyokushinkaikan), Shihan Katsuhito Gorai (IKO General Secretary) and Shihan Loek Hollander (IKO International Committee Member), as well as EKKO Board members: Shihan Antonio Pinero (EKKO President), Shihan Andre Drewniak (EKKO General Secretary), Sensei Christoph Fischer (EKKO Treasurer).
   During the opening ceremony, Kancho Matsui handed the certificates for 6th dan to Shihan Stanislav Blizniuk and Shihan Jacques Legree.
    Alejandro Navarro became the openweight category European Champion for the fourth time in a row (previously in 2006, 2007, and 2008). Another Spaniard, Pablo Estensoro was second. In Women's open category, two Polish fighters: Agnieszka Sypien and Dobroslawa Soltysik-Habraszka met in the final. The former champion Sypien took the glory.
   Main judge was Shihan Antonio Pinero. Organiser of the championships was Sensei Jose Pernas, who co-operated fully with Shihan Jacques Legree.

RESULTS

Seniors | Juniors

    Current european champion Alejandro Navarro (Spain) became the vice champion at the 41st All Japan Open Karate Tournament that took place in Tokyo on November 21-22, 2009. The winner was Kentaro Tanaka, former All Japan and World Champion. Makoto Akaishi was third.
   Organiser of the event was IKO Kyokushinkaikan, led by Kancho Shokei Matsui.

   On October 24, International Friendship Karate Match between national team of Poland and national team of France, took place in Siemianowice Slaskie　(south of Poland). Polish team defeated French team 9 to 6.
   Teams consisting of 15 competitors, both men and women competed in EKKO standard kumite weight categories. 
   President of Siemianowice Slaskie City Jacek Guzy was the honorary guest. Opening ceremony was done by Shihan Andre Drewniak  and Sensei Andrzej Manecki organiser of the event. Tournament director was Sensei Dariusz Lyczko and co-organiser was Sensei Andrzej Zacharski.
   Chief of judges was Sensei Jose Pernas. Polish national team coach was Shihan Eugeniusz Dadzibug, and French national team coach was Sensei Frank Pertel. Awards for the winners were handed by Shihan Jacques Legree.

GALLERY