The Kyukushin Karate is renowned as probably the toughest martial arts among the various styles involved in the karate and martial arts. This system is based on the traditional karate techniques like that of the Shotokan or the Goju-ryu or the Daito Ryu. This form is a unique combat style that incorporates the elements that are probably used in combat sports namely kickboxing or Muay Thai. The styles that are involved in the Kyukushin are unique and are not found in any other martial art forms.
The Kyukushin karate involves contact fighting, which is generally practiced without gloves or any means of a protective covering. Striking to the head is not allowed, thereby reducing the risk of a permanent injury to the victim. The Kyukushin technique gains its popularity among the professional martial artists, as the injuries are almost rare and there is hardly any situation of brain damage or permanent injury. During the early times, the striking to the face by bare knuckles used to be practiced and well accepted, but it has eventually been withdrawn, as the direct strike to the face has resulted to severe injuries over the due course of time. As per the founder to this style, the elbow and the hand strikes are no longer practiced and are included neither in training nor in the competitions.
Masutatsu Oyama
The Kyukushin karate has been founded by Masutatsu Oyama. Oyama took birth Choi Yong-i on the 27th of July 1923 in the tiny village of Wa-Ryongri Yong-chi Myonchul Na Do in Gimje, South Korea. He belonged to an aristocratic family, who belonged to the Yangban-Clan, and enjoyed his childhood watching fighting and eventually took interest to take a part in the fighting. Oyama started his initial study of Southern Chinese Kempo under an instructor named Yi. He was an employee under Oyama’s father, who worked on their estate.
Being an intent reader Oyama was influenced, affected and moved after going through the biography of Otto von Bismark. Young Oyama was impressed by the philosophies and principles of Bismark and thus in the year 1938, Mas, as he was popularly known, moved to Japan to study Okinawan Karate under Gichin Funakoshi. Oyama believed and acknowledged Funakoshi as his true karate teacher. By the age of eighteen, Mas Oyama earned a second level in black in karate. He was indeed a legend in the field of martial arts and took his last breath on the 26th of April 1994. He was 71 when he died.
Andy Hug
While discussing about the Kyukushin Karate, it goes incomplete if Andy Hug remains unnoticed. This Swiss professional was an expert in the Kyukushin and Seidokaikan. Andy was a famous Japanese fighter, who fought with extreme popularity. His technical diversity and variation in the styles made him impressive among his fans. Andy was named the “Blue – Eyed Samurai”. He was the only K 1 fighter who was rewarded the honorary samurai title by the K 1 founder.
George St. Pierre and Glaube Feltosa
George St. Pierre is another legend of kickboxing and Kyukushin form of Karate. This Kickboxer is a French Canadian by birth who expertise as a professional mixed martial artist. Started at the age of seven, St. Pierre learned Kyukushin, as a way to defend him from the bullying at the school. Another famous personality, who involved his life in specializing in Kyukushin style, is the famous “Brazilian Warrior” Glaube Feltosa. This famous Brazilian practitioner is a full contact Kyukushin expert presently competing in the K 1.
Francisco Filho
Another Brazilian martial artist namely Francisco Filho has shown immense skill in the field of Kyukushin Karate. He is among the few experts, who have successfully completed the 100 man kumite more than once. This Kyukushin made his debut against the famous Andy Hug in the year 1997. He was literally the hero among hundreds as he defeated the legendary Andy Hug. Though Francisco has held championship in both the IKO – Kyukushin Kaikan and the K – 1, he has not been a part of any championship since 2004. Presently, Filho is an active developer to the young kick boxers and fighters. He also oversees and takes an active role in the national Kyukushin team of Brazil.
The main advantage of the Kyukushin style of Karate is that it includes a variety in kick styles. But the greatest disadvantage to this form is that most of the full contact strikes do not allow head punches. It does not provide accurate or quality defense measures to protect one self. Mas Oyama’s death has brought an impact among the legendary communities, who expertise in the martial arts.