Today, Shihan Abdullah Mohammad Hossain has earned the prestigious 5th Dan Black Belt (Godan) in Shinkyokushin Karate during the official Dan Grading in Tokyo, Japan 🇯🇵 — under the esteemed leadership of Daihyo Kenji Midori Shihan, President of WKO Shinkyokushinkai 🥇🙇♂️
This monumental achievement reflects decades of dedication, technical excellence, and unwavering spirit in the path of Kyokushin. 🥋🔥 Shihan Abdullah is now recognized globally as a true master and leader of the art! 🙌🌟
We are beyond proud to celebrate this moment — not just for the man, but for the movement. 🇧🇩❤️🔥
The 2025 WKO promotion examination was held at the Dome Ariake Headquarters on June 2, 2025. The examination was held the day after the “FULLCONTACT KARATE EXPO 2025”, and 60 examinees from all over the world participated. They fully demonstrated the results of their accumulated training.
Among the examinees who came from across borders were Inga Mixtaite, 4th dan, who was the runner-up in the 12th World Championships, and Lucas Kubilius, 3rd dan, who placed 3rd in the 11th World Championships. Branch chiefs from Japan who are at the forefront of player development, such as Sano Hideo 4th dan, Naito Kenta 4th dan, and Fukaya Tadashi 4th dan, also took the exam and took on the next stage as martial artists.
First round of screening
“We were able to successfully hold the 1st WFKO World Championship thanks to the support of everyone from overseas. Thank you very much. Everyone, please use the results of your daily training, do your best, and do your best so that everyone can pass.”
The WKO promotion examination began with a speech from Midori Kenji, the representative of the WKO. In the first round of examination, the basic examination was conducted under the command of Tonodate Shinichi, amidst a tense atmosphere, and then the movement examination started. Next, the participants were divided into groups according to rank and the kata examination took place, with each participant demonstrating a sharp and sharp kata (4th dan: Kankuu, Tensho, Gojushiho; 3rd dan: Seienchin, Tensho, Kankuu; 2nd dan: Seienchin, Sansen, Juhachi). All 60 participants had completed the items up to this point with great enthusiasm, and after a short break, the results of the first round examination were announced.
Second round of screening
As a result of the judging by the judges, Representative Midori, Vice Representative Kobayashi Isao, Shihan Sanpei Keiji, Shihan Brian Fitkin (Sweden), and Shihan Jan Bülow (Denmark), 50 out of 60 candidates passed the first round. Five candidates advanced to the second round on the condition that they could make up for their losses in kumite. For the examination, candidates were divided into three groups based on rank and competed in a 10-person kumite, in which the examinees put their fists together. They kumite with the opponent in front of them for one minute, and when it was over, they moved to the side and clashed with each other’s spirit.
“Just because you have advanced to the kumite examination does not mean that you have passed. Fight with all your might in kumite and show that you never give up. As Sosai Mas Oyama said, ‘The life of karate lies in kumite, and the life of kumite lies in basics,’ basics, movement, and kata are all connected. Do your best in kumite and give it your all for 10 rounds of 1 minute each.”
Representative Midori encouraged the examinees, and the second round of auditions began.
Mixtaite 4th Dan showed world-class kumite, while Lucas 3rd Dan also showed off his powerful low kicks, showing off the skills of veteran fighters. Sano 4th Dan, Naito 4th Dan, and Fukaya 4th Dan also showed impressive kumite, and the branch chiefs even had a match against each other.
The spirited kumite from the branch chiefs and dojo heads who are working hard to develop athletes in their countries also shone through. Abraham Jere 4th Dan (South Africa), Abdullah Mohammad Hossain 4th Dan (Bangladesh), Mario Christie Suyoto 4th Dan (Indonesia), Christian Auelet 4th Dan (Canada), and Ventsiv Shorin 4th Dan (USA) engaged in heated kumite matches for promotion to 5th Dan.
“When watching the kumite, there are people who are lightly controlling the pace. Those kind of people will be eliminated because the five judges are watching. I think everyone has worked hard for this day, so I want you to be motivated and do your best to pass.”
As Representative Midori encouraged the players, the examinees once again became more determined. They unleashed all their strength and fought with all their might against the opponents in front of them.
In the 3rd Dan group, branch chiefs such as Thomas Makaeni 3rd Dan (South Africa), Bongiwe Skosana 3rd Dan (South Africa), and Levan Tsintsadze 3rd Dan (Georgia) also completed the 10-person kumite. In the 2nd Dan group, Tomas Kink 2nd Dan, who serves as branch chief in the Czech Republic, gave it his all and passed the examination. Donald Wilson 2nd Dan (Netherlands), who completed the kumite with more spirit than anyone else, received direct praise from Representative Midori, and demonstrated his influence in raising the command of the entire group of examinees.
When the tenth person in each group reached the final round, the spectators and the gallery watching the examination gave a big round of applause, and the group then gathered their last strength and engaged in fierce exchanges. As a result of the examination, 54 out of 60 people were allowed to advance in rank, taking another step forward as martial artists.
At the end of the second round of examinations, Representative Midori gave a general review, concluding this year’s WKO promotion examination.
“Congratulations to everyone who passed. I believe that you have all worked very hard to get to this day. Please do not forget the feelings you have today. With a higher rank comes greater responsibility. I am sure that you will all face difficulties and hardships in your life. However, if you have the feeling that you have made it through this examination, I believe that you will be able to overcome those problems in a positive manner. I hope that you will all continue to work hard at Shinkyokushin Karate in your future lives. I also hope that you will provide good guidance to your juniors.”
Last night at KO Fight Studio, we witnessed a milestone forged in spirit, sweat, and the way of Osu no Seishin.
Sensei Aseif Masood was awarded his 3rd Dan, becoming the first-ever 3rd Dan Black Belt of WKO Bangladesh — a landmark under the relentless leadership of Shihan Abdullah Mohammad Hossain
Senpai Arafat Rahman, our All-Asia Champion, earned his 2nd Dan, while warriors Senpai Mahsoun Choudhury and Senpai Riffat Kamal achieved their 1st Dan black belts — a symbol of unwavering spirit and countless hours of keiko.
The belts and certificates were handed with honor by Shihan Abdullah, President, Country Representative and Branch Chief of WKO Shinkyokushinkai Bangladesh. We were proud to have many of our WKO family present to witness this moment of power and perseverance.
Kyokushin is not just a martial art — it is a way of life. This is only the beginning. OSU!
The “1st World Fullcontact Karate Championship” will finally be held at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo. With this historic tournament just around the corner, I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to everyone who has supported dojos around the world and nurtured athletes through their daily efforts. Even during the difficult times of the new coronavirus, you have kept the lights on in your dojo, and have remained true to our pride and responsibility as a martial artist, and this was the true strength that supported the realization of this championship. This championship is the first step in creating a future together with organizations from all over the world coming together under the banner of the international federation WFKO. During this time, Shinkyokushinkai has quietly but powerfully supported the whole thing through its sense of unity as an organization and its accumulated training over many years. We are proud to have taken the initiative in serving the unity of Fullcontact karate, and our true value is shown in the spirit of “OSU”, perseverance, patience and determination. Our role is to support the future of the entire karate world, transcending organizations and regions, while keeping this pride within us. I believe that this is our responsibility as Shinkyokushinkai in the current generation.
In the WFKO championship, athletes representing each country and region will compete with national pride in their hearts, aiming for the top of the world. In this environment, our Shinkyokushinkai athletes fight while representing our country while also carrying the pride and bonds to the mother organization of theirs at the same time. I believe that this multilayered sense of pride will give our athletes even more strength and dignity.
We ask that all members of Shinkyokushinkai around the world come together as one and support our athletes. To all the athletes, I hope you will complete your last training session to the fullest and face this big stage with all your might, aiming to monopolize the first places in all categories.
The performance and attitude of Shinkyokushinkai athletes at this championship will be the embodiment of our philosophy and training result, and at the same time it will provide hope and inspiration to karateka around the world. The 2nd JFKO International Championship and the 1st JFKO International Senior Championship will be held concurrently with the WFKO Championship. I hope that all the competitors competing here will take on the competition stage with pride for their country and pride for Shinkyokushinkai, just as the representatives in the WFKO Championship. I sincerely hope that your challenges will become a light that illuminates the future of the karate world.
Together, let us persevere, be sincere, and build the foundation for a new era.
Lastly, we regret to announce the passing of Branch Chief Sebastian Scarlatta of Uruguay. Branch Chief Scarlatta was known as a prominent fighter in his county and in South America region. He remained active throughout his life as fighter, securing the 3rd place in Heavyweight category in the South America Fullcontact Karate Championship in last November. His untimely passing is truly sorrowful. I am deeply saddened by this unexpected news. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his students, fellow Branch Chiefs and instructors, including Shihan Eduardo Garcia, the Uruguay representative. May his soul rest in peace.
It is such a devastating experience to lose our dear comrade, but we still focus on our daily training and activities to promote Budo Karate and continue to devote ourselves in our activities in the honor of Branch Chief Scarlatta.
April ’25 Kyu Grading (White belt to Green belt test) will be held on the 12th April 2025, Saturday, from 9:45am at WKO Shinkyokushin Bangladesh Honbu, KO Fight Studio Gulshan.
All grading participants are asked to be present on time.
All WKO, KOFS, and WWB members (non-participants) are allowed to visit during the grading. Guests are welcome from 2:30pm onwards.
The day-long grading will be conducted by the instructors of WKO Bangladesh under the supervision of Shihan Abdullah Mohammad Hossain.
The WKO Bangladesh Winter Camp 2025 was successfully held from January 9-11, 2025, at BARD, Kotbari, Cumilla. This three-day intensive training camp brought together dedicated karatekas from across WKO Bangladesh, pushing their limits through rigorous training, discipline, and the true essence of full-contact Kyokushin karate.
Under the guidance of Shihan Abdullah Mohammad Hossain, Country Representative of WKO Bangladesh, participants experienced a series of technical drills, full-contact sparring, physical endurance tests, and traditional Kyokushin training. The scenic and secluded training environment at BARD provided the perfect setting for focused learning and self-improvement.
The camp wasn’t just about physical endurance; it was also a test of mental strength and perseverance, reinforcing the Budo spirit that defines Kyokushin karate. Beyond training, karatekas bonded over shared experiences, strengthening the camaraderie within the WKO Bangladesh community.
The event was powered by Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC and beautifully captured by Shadow Entertainment, preserving every unforgettable moment.
This Winter Camp was a true test of will, discipline, and the Kyokushin way—an experience that will fuel the spirit of all participants for the challenges ahead.
📌 Stay tuned for upcoming events and training programs at KO Fight Studio! Osu!
Sensei Aseif Masood was awarded his 3rd Dan, becoming the first-ever 3rd Dan Black Belt of WKO Bangladesh — a landmark under the relentless leadership of Shihan Abdullah Mohammad Hossain
Senpai Arafat Rahman, our All-Asia Champion, earned his 2nd Dan, while warriors Senpai Mahsoun Choudhury and Senpai Riffat Kamal achieved their 1st Dan black belts — a symbol of unwavering spirit and countless hours of keiko.
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