Osu,

Since we have been going on for quite some time with Kyokushin Karate at Nakama in Harderwijk, we thought it would be good to give an update about the past period.

Last July 8, Sensei Bas passed the 3^e Dan and Senpai Kjel for the 2^e Dan in Kyokushin Karate.

This exam took place in Veldhoven from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 July.

Prior to this exam, there is quite a period of training to achieve all the goals to be achieved.About a year before the exam, we have already started planning what steps we need to take to fully master the technical parts (katas) and conditional/combat parts (kumite).

The exam training for the Kata's has been an important part of this.
For the condition, we trained a lot together, among other things the punching bag training at Nakama helped us a lot.
For the fighting exam, certainly an important part in Kyokushin Karate, Sensei Bas would have to fight 25 matches of 2 minutes and Senpai Kjel 20 matches.
After these matches, already quite tired, the Kihon part also appeared the pillows to empty you completely.
Well, we certainly succeeded ….. and as already said with a positive result.

Also part of our path to the exam was a trip to Japan, where the reds of Kyokushin Karate lie.
As a karateka you should definitely visit the Mecca of Karate We have to go there.
We visited the grave of Matsutatsu (Mas) Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate.
That visit made a deep impression on us, especially because you realize that this man has ensured that many people follow his style of Karate.

We visited a Full contact Kyokushin Karate tournament in Tokyo where Roel Noordman (a karateka from Nin-Tai, Schiedam) has fought.
In Tokyo we had an intensive training in traditional Japanese Dojo, you must have done that when you visit Tokyo.
It was a tough year for both Sensei Bas and Senpai Kjel, but everything was very worthwhile.

We will do everything we can to pass on our knowledge to the students of Kyokushin Karate Nakama and will make it another great year.