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.”
