On April 5-6 in Chiba, Japan the weekend of "International Karate Friendship" took place.
The 7th Women's World Karate Championships, The 4th International Youth Karate Championships, 2008 International Senior Karate Championships, 2008 International Kata Championships were organised by IKO Kyokushinkaikan.
Kancho Shokei Matsui opened the event, which gathered 1610 competitors from 20 countries and couple thousands of spectators. IKO Special Advisor Shihan Yuzo Goda as well as Sensei Kyosuke Machida were present at the event.
Former World Champion Hitoshi Kiyama lead the warming-up Kihon session for all the competitors. International Department Director Shihan Katsuhito Gorai lead the judges seminar, were most of the european country representatives, including EKKO General Secretary Shihan Andre Drewniak took part.