Our story
The origins of Kyokushin, the people leading KWF Mauritius and the competitions that have taken our karateka overseas.
Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, known as Mas Oyama, developed Kyokushin Karate in Japan. He opened Oyama Dojo in Tokyo in 1954 and founded the International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan in 1964.
Oyama helped establish full-contact knockdown competition through the first All Japan Open in 1969 and the first World Open in 1975. Kyokushin, often translated as “ultimate truth,” combines technical practice with discipline, perseverance and respect.
The Kyokushin World Federation was founded in 2011. Its founding leadership included Shihan Loek Hollander, Shihan António Piñero and Shihan Andrzej Drewniak, who trained under Oyama at the Honbu Dojo and whom he appointed to represent Kyokushin in Europe.
KWF brings national branches together through technical seminars, grading and international championships.
Kyokushin had been practised in Mauritius before the local federation joined KWF. The Mauritius Kyokushinkaikan Full Contact Federation affiliated with KWF in January 2019, with Shihan Vivegananda “Nanda” Vencatakistnen as Branch Chief.
Dr. Sandip Naïdoo Vencatakistnen represented Shihan Nanda at the KWF seminar in Réunion from 1 to 4 February 2019, where the branch certificate was presented. The Bambous dojo opened that February.
The first KWF national Kyokushin championship in Mauritius took place at Swami Sivananda State Secondary School in Bambous. The programme featured kata and kumite, with visiting athletes from Réunion.
KWF Mauritius and the Vallée des Prêtres Oyama Kyokushinkai Karate Club hosted the second KWF Indian Ocean International Championship at Côte d’Or National Sports Complex. The Indian Ocean Rim Association supported the tournament.
KWF Mauritius and KWF France Réunion brought competitors from both islands together at the Swami Sivananda Dojo. Mauritian athletes earned 10 gold, 15 silver and 16 bronze medals.
