Latest News directly from the blog

  • Sweat marks on red and black dojo mats after Kyokushin training, symbolizing hard work and preparation.

    The Only Secret is Sweat

    Mas Oyama said, “The only secret is sweat.” It’s a simple statement, but one I feel goes right to the heart of what Kyokushin is about. It’s a quote my…

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  • Illustration of an older Kyokushin instructor observing two karate practitioners sparring in a traditional dojo with wooden floors, Kyokushin banners, and a portrait of Sosai Mas Oyama displayed at the shomen.

    Lessons From My Sensei

    Lessons From My Sensei Martial Art vs Sport “Any time you turn a martial art into a sport, you weaken it.” My sensei said that often, and after forty-five years,…

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  • Sensei Bill Stewart performing chūdan yoko geri (middle side kick) in Kyokushin karate — featured in the article “Beyond the Belt: What Really Matters in Karate.”

    What Decades in Kyokushin Taught Me About Rank

    Rank in Kyokushin marks progress, but the true essence lies in the knowledge and character forged through training. Bill Stewart reflects on his journey from white to black belt, showing…

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  • Illustration of a young karate student kneeling beside a black belt in a traditional dojo, representing the lifelong journey from white belt to mastery in Kyokushin karate.

    What Shihan Cameron Quinn’s Budo Karate of Mas Oyama Teaches About the Black Belt Journey

    “A black belt is a white belt who never gave up.” Most martial artists have probably seen that phrase somewhere — likely as part of a meme shared on social…

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  • Junior Kyokushin karate competitors wearing protective gear exchange body punches during a knockdown tournament match while a referee watches closely.

    Is Kyokushin Kinder and Gentler now?

    A video posted in Kyokushinkai Karate, one of my groups on Facebook, recently generated a bit of controversy. According to the OP, the video was a fight from an IFK…

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  • Kyokushin-inspired martial arts illustration showing a karate practitioner seated in seiza at the center of a dojo, surrounded by scenes of boxing and grappling training representing complementary skills for cross-training.

    What martial arts go well with Kyokushin Karate?

    “I have not permitted myself to be ignorant of any martial art that exists. Why? Such ignorance is a disgrace to someone who follows the path of the martial arts.”-…

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  • Vintage-style collage poster titled “Kyokushin’s Forgotten Grappling Roots,” featuring old instructional-manual style images of throws, takedowns, joint locks, clinching, and ground control techniques associated with early Kyokushin Karate training

    Kyokushin’s Forgotten Grappling Roots

    Today, Kyokushin is widely recognized as a striking-based karate style centered around knockdown competition and hard conditioning. But early Kyokushin — and Mas Oyama’s own approach to fighting — included…

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  • Illustrated Kyokushin Karate banner showing a karate practitioner seated in seiza on a mountain overlook at sunset, facing a glowing horizon. Large text reads “We Will Train Our Hearts and Bodies for a Firm Unshaking Spirit,” alongside reflections on perseverance, humility, and the Dojo Kun. A Miyamoto Musashi quote appears along the bottom.

    We will train our hearts and bodies…

    “Karate is not a game. It is not a sport. It is not even a system of self-defense. Karate is half physical exercise and half spiritual. The karateist who has…

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  • Illustrated Kyokushin Karate poster-style artwork showing a karateka seated in seiza at the center of a dojo, surrounded by scenes representing kata, kumite, conditioning, and mindset training beneath the title “The Best Karate Style? – Reflections on Training.”

    The Best Karate Style? – Reflections on Training

    “I have not permitted myself to be ignorant of any martial art that exists. Why? Such ignorance is a disgrace to someone who follows the path of the martial arts.”-…

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