KYOKUSHIN karate, anyone?

A popular style of stand-up full-contact karate founded by Korean-Japanese Masutatsu Oyama in 1964, Kyokushin karate is fast gaining adherents all over the country thru the efforts of Sensei Victor Canon.

“Kyokushin karate is a very popular martial art all over the world due to its practicality and effectiveness when it comes to real fighting,” said Canon during the 41st “Sports on Air” via Zoom.

“As part of its deep-rooted philosophy, it builds strong body and strong mind through discipline and hard training,”added Canon, considered as the “Father of Kyokushin Karate” in the country, “Our group is a member of International Karate Organization Nakamura. It is now the fastest-growing kyokushin organization in the world. It is composed of rules of stand up fighting, bare knuckle and knockdown,” Canon told “Sports on Air” moderator-hosts.

Canon is proud to announce that IKO Nakamura Philippines is set to participate in the International Friendship Karate Championships scheduled Nov. 13 in Osaka, Japan.

“Let me mention our delegates, if I may allowed, Junis Olinab for the seniors division, Eloisa Padios for kata, Juniver Calle for women’s kumite, Jeff Kevin Balinon for team H division and Regina Victoria Santiago for girls division. Also in the delegation are Esther Gonzaga, Darius Santiago, Claudette Santiago, and yours truly as head of delegation,” said Canon.

“Right now, they are the best of the bedt from our more than 200 members from our main headquarters in Cavite. We conducted a qualifying tournament at the Vista Mall in Bacoor recently. But we are starting to have more branches all over the Philippines soon. By next year, I will be going out of my way to visit some of the places to encourage other groups to affiliate and join our the organization, the IKO Nakamura Philippines.”

Asked about the difference between sports karate and Kyokushin karate, Canon said:

“Sports karate normally focuses on precise target, speed and accuracy. Kyokushin style of karate uses elbow and knees. We.kick the legs, we kick the body, we kick the head and normally, we go for a knockdown. In sports karate, if you hit too hard, you could be disqualified. That’s basically the difference.”

He admitted Kyokushin karate is harder than sports karate.

“It’s really pure full contact when it comes to adults and those18 years old and above. Walang headgear, walang shield guard. Gloves, groin cap at mouthpiece lang talaga. But for the kids, we allow them to wear protective gears for added protection.”

As part of IKON-Philippines’ grassroots development program, Canon said he is hosting a joint seminar between the Philippines and Taiwan on Dec. 17-18.

“The branch chief of Taiwan is set to visit the Philippines to conduct a training seminar. It is open to all martial artists of every style and from here, I think we can learn and develop the standard of karate in the Philippines,” stressed Canon.

“We’re really very excited since we will also do an open tournament the following day,” added Canon, who thanked the management of Vista Mall, Walter Mart and other malls for allowing them to teach karate, especially to children.

“The plan is to encourage more people, especially those in the provinces, to try karate. Yun mga kabataan na hindi makapag-aral, we are looking at providing them with some scholarships. Yun ibang kasama natin, we are looking at providing medical assistance and livelihood sa tulong ng mga kaibigan natin.”

Canon admitted coming from a broken family, but claimed he was able to overcome life’s difficulties through hard work and determination.

“I was a product of a broken family, a runaway trying to find a home at the age of 12. When I came to Manila to find my parents and study in high school, I pursued my dream to be a black belt in 1976,” recalled Canon.

“And since I had no means of paying for my training, I had to clean the Dojo and run errands for the Master in exchange for my free training. Eventually, I became assistant instructor to Master Vicente Tayo at the Philippine College of Criminology.”

Added Canon; “I practiced shotokan karate, judo, arnis and aikido for more than 10 years until I met Steven Foo, a Singaporean who introduced me to kyokushin full-contact karate.

“Kyokushin opened up more opportunities than I could’ve imagined. It gave me the opportunity to train karate in Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and India. Currently, I am a holder of the International Standard 3rd Degree Black belt and I have the most number of schools and students for kyokushin karate in the Philippines.”

The rest, as they say, is karate history. With reports from Gab Ferreras