On April 29-30 and May 1 in Tokyo-Taiikukan Hall took place the 3rd World Weight Category Kyokushin Karate Championships. Over 300 competitors from about 30 countries participated in this spectacular event. In the second day of the tournament there were finals of: kumite women, kumite senior man and kata men's and women's divisions. About 800 childrens participated in kata and kumite divisions.

European competitors dominated in kata men's and women's divisions. Among European Team the best was Lucian Gogonel from Romania who became World Champion in lightweight category. The best woman fighter was Agnieszka Sypien from Poland who won the World Champion tittle in heavyweight category.
 
Gold medals: Lucian Gogonel (Romania) lightweight category, Agnieszka Sypien (Poland) heavy weight category, Javier Lezcano (Spain) kata division,
Silver medal: Ewa Pawlikowska (Poland) lightweight category, Raluca Jianu (Romania) kata division,
Brown medal: Zurine Eciolaza (Spain) lightweight category, Ryszard Makara (Poland) heavyweight senior kumite (over 40 years old),
4th place: Emil Kostov (Bulgaria) middleweight category, Aleksander Bielecki (Poland) senior kumite open, Edward Golinski (Poland) lightweight senior kumite (over 40 years old), Steven Crane (Great Britain) heavyweight senior kumite.

European coaches were: shihan Andre Drewniak from Poland and shihan Ton van Rijn from Holland.

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On April 16 in the Canary Island International Open Kyokushin Karate Tournament took place with participation of about 40 competitors from France, Portugal, Poland and Spain. Approximately 900 spectators gathered in the sport hall.
The tournament won Alejandro Navarro from Spain. Main judge was shihan Antonio Pinero (7 dan). The honourable guest of the championships was General Secretary of EKKO shihan Andre Drewniak (7 dan).
Organiser of the Tournament was Spanish Kyokushin Karate Organisation led by shihan Antonio Pinero.

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Yesterday IKO Honbu announced the official tournament draws for upcoming:

3rd World Weight Category Karate Championships
5th Women’s World Karate Championships
2nd International Senior Karate Championships
2nd International Kata Championships
1st International Youth Karate Championships

Click here for IKO Honbu Official Website:
www.kyokushin.co.jp

In Poland the 32nd Weight Category National Championships were held on 2-3 April. When information about the death of the Pope reached the Organizing Commitee the second day of Championships was cancelled and it was decided that the semifinals and finals will be postponed to 11 June. On 3 April only an official opening ceremony took place during which shihan Andre Drewniak delivered a short speech on John Paul II as the most outstanding Pole. The Triple World Champion,  Ewa Pawlikowska and shihan asked all the fighters and spectators to pay their respects to the late Pope and create a "chain of compassion" for the greatest Pole ever.

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Pope John Paul II was very fit at an early age since he practiced athletics, did a lot of skiing and hiking in the mountains as well. He was interested in sports all his life. He eagerly received sportsmen from all over the world during audiences and was an advocate of modern upbringing through sports. Even when he suffered he did not give up going for long walks.

John Paul II passed away on Saturday, April 2, at 9.37 in the evening. On Friday, April 8, over 5 milion people from all corners of our globe will take part in the funeral rites in the Vatican. About 200 heads of state and royalty members are expected to come, including three US presidents: George Bush Senior, George Bush Jr. and Bill Clinton.