Some years ago Shihan Sjaak Van De Velde got the idea to reunite the different Top karatekas from into some sort of Kyokushin reunion. When asked about it , it is evident that he got irritated by the many " kingdoms" and "masters" who found themselves more important then the martial art. It was Van De Velde's idea to unite forces with some top karatekas who were more interested in the benefit of Kyokushin karate and to eliminate the mutual discrimination in Holland. He talked about his initiative with masters like Koen Scharrenberg, John Reeberg, Alain Breugelmans, Marius Goedegebuur, Peter Smit and the Gordeau's who were delighted with the idea and fully supported the realization of it.

This was the base of the first reunion that took place in October 1999 . For many people this was a commemorative moment and the start of a new period for Kyokushin Karate in Holland. It was the birth of a new cooperation between different kyokushin groups that eventually resulted in a new Kyokushin organization that marked a difference The news quickly spread throughout Europe. On the second and third edition of this reunion delegations of Belgium, Holland, Hungaria and Germany also decided to join this initiative..

We celebrated the 4th edition of this Kyokushin reunion on saturday october 5 2002
About 21 dojo owners and a large number of students took time and the effort to be present on this wonderful day.

It was a beautiful sight to see these karatekas full of motivation all together. Many showed their emotions when they saw this memory of the old days. Kyokushin legend Peter Smith also had accepted the invitation of Shihan Sjaak Van De Velde to join and it was clear to see that he too was touched when he saw all his "old" palls. Peter Smit, a multiple Dutch and European champion Kyokushin but also world champion kick boxing got a prominent place within the group of shihan. A place offered to him by Shihan Sjaak Van De Velde and accepted in gratitude.

During the 4 hour training different teachers guided the group of participants through the different aspects of Kyokushin Karate. Before the break , Shihan Van De Velde , Kancho Jon Bluming , the brothers Nico and Gerard Gordeau showed their part and after having a break it was time for Alain Breugelmans en István Alámy to do the same. Al the important aspects of Kyokushin Karate like kihon, kata and kumite were discussed , explained and trained. Although the training was hard , people were very relaxed and enjoyed the training All participants enjoyed the fact that so many people were working together for the benefit of all. If you see the result , then you know that all the work has not been in vane

It must have been difficult to get so many people together. Apart from the busy schedules of the participants there was also the inevitable opposition to the event. But, Shihan Sjaak Van de Velde did it again. He somehow managed to get the job done. We want to extend our gratitude to him for an excellent job

After the training the organization setup a question forum where all participants present could ask questions in a relaxed ambience. People could ask their questions directly to the shihans and sensei. Great stories from Japan and the old days were remembered and appreciated by all. But above all it was nice for the students to be able to ask question to people that you only had seen on TV or in magazines in a very down to earth manner. After the question forum it was time for the dinner and that’s something Kyokushin Karatekas know how to do. Maybe as well as their regular training ? Shiploads of french fries , sates and salads combined with the indispensable dutch beer made it all together a great dinner. After dinner it was time for the Sayonara party , old stories kept coming up and all present were in a great mood. New plans were made for the future and people had a lot of fun. It was another day we never will forget. And a very important day for the benefit of Kyokushin Karate. It was one big happy group of friends that wants to work together by adding again the word Kai (cooperation) to the Kyokushin

After seeing all of this on this special day, I am confident that all differences will be solved and Kyokushin in Holland will come together and have a great future.

Some reactions :

Shihan Sjaak van de Velde

I hope that by organizing this event I have been able to contribute in some way to the cooperation between the different schools . If we can continue to keep this spirit of cooperation and mutual respect in the future , then I am very confident that we can become a great Kyokushin family once again. Federations are not important in this matter to my point of view. It's all about what you do and what you transmit to people. I always like to think " Let everybody do his thing , don't impose your rules to others and give credit to all who deserve it". With this voluntarily cooperation without strings attached we can continue to cooperate and visit each others tournaments and events. Let us cherish this day and continue every year to contribute our part to it. I openly express my wish to be able to meet and great you all again on the next years 5th Big Kyokushin Reunion.
Osu !

Shihan Nico / Gerard Gordeau

This reunion is a great idea in an effort to strive to unite the Kyokushin Karatekas . The ambience was great and people could learn many things. Unfortunately to many people still stay on their own small little island , "where they are like kings off course " You will never meet these people on the open championships. They say they organize their own open championships. This attitude has nothing to do with the true Kyokushinkai that stands for "ultimate , truth and cooperation " Well I guess you need to have guts to show up. If you have a clean conscience you should not fear showing up. Those people should try to grow up for the benefit of themselves , their students and the Kyokushin organization People that don't want to cooperate can't expect anything from me. I am not willing to lose anymore energy to them.
Osu !

Shihan Marius Goedegebuur

Considering the fact that there is an enormous potential in our little Holland of know how and superb teachers, then it is almost a sin that so many only keep teaching within the limits of their own school or federation. In Japan, the mother of our martial art, our country is very well considered. So now it is time to tear down these self constructed walls and open up for each other. Everyone of us has his own way of thinking but we have one important thing in commune , to transmit and pass on to the next generation the idea of Kyokushin. Sjaak, I want to thank you for being so persistent and to keep pushing us. I know you are very stubborn about these things but here I want to be you number one supporter
Osu !

Sensei Peter Smit

Sjaak, man , what did you do to me. I couldn't sleep all night but I am here as I promised to do so. I am not feeling very well but I wouldn't have missed this great event for all the money in the world This is the best. I have been able to meet all my old buddy's again , we ate , drank and trained together. This was just wonderful. I have been looking for a long time to find such a group . I didn't know this was possible. We from now on you guys won't be able to get rid of me because I am felling very "at home" here. I am promising you: I will be back and this time to teach. Sjaak, thanks a lot
Osu !

Shihan Alain Breugelmans

It was the third time I participated in this event , there were many new faces and Unfortunately some of the familiar faces were not present for whatever reason they may have had. It was , at least for me , a discovery to see that may of the karatekas present at the event knew me for some reason or other. I was no longer an outsider like the first time. I guess that what I want to say is that most of them didn't think something like " Aaaah , they found another shihan somewhere , let's see what this one is all about " Nee it was actually the opposite way. The feeling of being accepted was very nice. The intensity of the training and the level of the participants was of a high level and this is always inspiring for a teacher. I think it is the task of every shihan or sensei to transmit his knowledge to the next generation and everybody knows this , If it comes to sharing my knowledge , I am your man. I am already looking forward for the next event because it stays a unique and special thing to experience.
An advise to all who were not present , Be there in the next one and you will experience what I am talking about. It is a shame that still so many people prefer not to participate for whatever reason they may have , but i am sure that this will change in the future. I will be there again next time and do everything in my power to take this event to the next level. Osu !

Shihan István Adámy

This time the Hungarian Kyokushin Karate Federation was represented on the 4rd Kyokushin Reunion Meeting and Seminar. I brought 3 other sensei's with me to experience this special Kyokushin feeling. All of them were surprised how many different Kyokushin organizations can be found training together in harmony and peace without jealousy. I think this is the best example of how it should be all around the world in this matter. It is our hope to see once again.1 unified Kyokushin World organization Maybe it will never happen but the responsibility is ours to move and make all possible efforts on this way. Thanks to Shihan Sjaak van de Velde for his great idea and excellent organizing of the Reunion. See you all next time. osu.