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The greatest budo karate tournament of the world began with the qualifying matches in the Papp László Arena. Dreams came true and hopes vanished even on the first day of the WT.

On this historic kyokushin tournament 420 fighters of 57 countries started to march towards the final. The first day was the day of struggles when best fighters of the different world organizations competed on three tatamis.

Thanks to the excellent organization fighters and judges followed each other smoothly.
Excellently prepared team of judges – although they came from different countries and represent different system of rules – acted with exemplary correctness.

Kancho Royama and leaders of the world organization could state content, that “children” of the Great Kyokushin Family represent mentality of Oyama worthily. It did not matter whether a star fighter or a secret favourite stepped on the tatami - all the fighters competed with the greatest honour.

Spectators being present in great numbers could see the highest level of kyokushin. On Saturday, kata event will also enter into the programme and together with fights will sort out fighters till the eight best.

ALL KYOKUSHIN KARATE WORLD TOURNAMENT began in Budapest in Papp László Sport Arena where 420 competitors of 57 countries lined up on the tatami on the opening ceremony of the WT.

During the march fighters of the different countries came one after the other but for us fighters of the last country were the dearest since it was the Hungarian team. Our team was the largest, they hardly had enough space on the tatami, no wonder, since they were 80. The second largest team was the Russian team (46 fighters) they were followed by the Japanese with 26 fighters. These three countries gives 33% of the competitors and we can only place trust in the Hungarian team to be able to fight their way up to the best in one or two weight categories.

Fights began on the tatami in two men categories since these two categories are the largest (76-76 fighters).

Almost 70 youth were waiting at the entrance of the Arena to start working. It was a bit grotesque moment since security guards waited midnight inside the Arena till the young waited outside. Although karate society of the world waited for this huge event, in the Arena it is only a program, one among many. Although some affairs disrupted work at the end we achieved our aim.
The youth took possession of the Arena and they set about to shape scene of the karate WT.

Fighters had only one day for registration and at the end of this day Welcome Party finished this procedure. All the competitors took part in this ceremony where Kancho Hatsuo Royama master greeted fighters, trainers, referees and their attendance from almost 60 countries.

Welcome speech of Royama:
I am extremely delighted that all the Kyokushin organizations and associations will unite here in Budapest and a common world tournament can be organized thanks to the cooperation. Although there are differences regarding nationality, political views, religion but “Kyokushin spirit” is one and not partial. Anyone be the opponent, he will be never given preference. Competitors have to practice every day excellently and fight with all their might!
I sincerely wish development of a relationship between fighters of kyokushin during the tournament and after that, which is based on mutual understanding, trust and honour.
In addition I would like to express my deep thanks to the Hungarian Republic for announcement of this world tournament as a State Event Day. Furthermore to the organizer of the WT and representative of Hungarian Kyokushin-kan, Sándor Brezovai and latest but not least to everybody contributing to the organization of this competition.

In the background of the kyokushin karate world tournament of 2009 hundreds of people are working so that the greatest karate competition of the world could be a great success and it is not only the responsibility of the staff but the council of the 80 judges as well so the day before the WT till the fighters registered the judges also prepared for the world tournament. The international council of judges takes huge responsibility since the aim of organizers of the WT is to arrange the fairest competition. For the sake of this, a council of judges in high position will control work of the judges.

Prominent guests of the WT visited the first house of Hungary, the Parliament.

Kancho Hatsuo Royama and members of the delegation were welcomed by Dr. István Újhelyi, state secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office. After a short introduction of the Parliament he wished successful competition to the fighters and the organizers as well. Hungarian fighters bowed before the Saint Crown and Kancho and leaders of the world organizations before Hungary, then visited the House of Parliament.
Member of the delegation was the star guest of the WT, Semmy Schilt K1 champion.

1 October 2009 was about registration and rules! It was the day of registration (entries) at the WT. Registration of hundreds of fighters was a huge task for the organizers but everything went well. Till the fighters were weighted, council of the judges held their first meeting. „R” level of the Hotel Arena was the most popular, not only because it was the place of the breakfast but the whole registration took place here.

After the press conference in the county hall of Szentes, guests walked to the Dr. Papp László Sports Hall of Szentes which is about 250 metres from the county hall.
The name László Papp is well known to everybody since the Sport Arena in Budapest is also named after László Papp Olympic champion, although the person giving his name to the Sports Hall in Szentes was Dr. László Papp Olympic silver medallist wrestler.

On the way through Kossuth square guests walked in front of the line of young and older karate fighters.
It was a kind and elevating gesture from Kancho to greet all the young fighters with a handshake used in karate. The march lasted for long minutes but this gesture established the spirit of the commemoration. Shinto priests consecrated the memorial. The ceremony was followed with attention by hundreds of people on the scene but the high light of the performance came only after that.

Leaders of the world organizations holding a torch lit the flame of kyokushin. The memorial at the Shinto gate was unveiled by Imre Szirbik mayor of Szentes and Kancho Hatsuo Royama. On one of the wall picture of Sosai can be seen, on the other name of world organizations and leaders of them and name of sponsors can be seen.

Those who were present could feel the strength of the flames and it was a strange moment when Shihan Seiji Kanamura 8. dan, leader of All Japan Kyokushin Union (Rengokai) world organization dipped his hand into the joint flame. He could feel that this flame, the joint flame of kyokushin is stronger than flames one by one.

The first memorial raised to the memory of Sosai Matsutatsu Oyama outside Japan is in Szentes in the co-organizer town of the world tournament.
Leaders of the world organization travelled to Szentes to take part in the opening ceremony of the WT. In the Conference and Cultural Centre of the County Hall after a short press conference a memorable moment followed but not to be precipitate.
Sándor Brezovai welcomed the delegation in front of the County Hall and Imre Szirbik, mayor of Szentes accompanied the leaders introducing the building.
After the Japanese and Hungarian national anthems Imre Szirbik mayor of Szentes greeted the guests:
„We are proud to take part in bringing together again karate society that broke into branches after the death of Sosai Master and to light the flame of unity in Szentes.
For many of us it has a far-reaching message that best fighters of the hardest martial art of the world will meet in Hungary, setting an example that differences can be disregarded for the sake of common goal.
I wish the great family of karate, citizens of the town and the country, spectators of the world tournament, to feel the moments of elevating unity at the world tournament and to take it away together with the memory of Hungary into the weekdays.”

After that Imre Szirbik took the first copy of the catalogue of the WT in hand and presented it to Royama master. The imposing catalogue had great success and it is available on the scene of the WT.

Kancho Hatsuo Royama leader of kyokushin-kan world organization also greeted Szentes, the small town that became a city in the world of karate:
It is a great pleasure for me that the second karate world tournament is being held in the capital city of Hungary. Representing Kyokushin-kan community, I express my gratitude and honour to the guests, the spectators and all the competitors taking part.
15 years have past since the death of Oyama Masutatsu, founder of Kyokushin Association. Unfortunately during this time Kyokushin broke up and it is with deep regret for me that Kyokushin is divided into groups. I deeply apologize to those concerned in all countries and patrons of kyokushin karate for sorrow till now

Up to now we consider Oyama Masutatsu our master, and we are intent on being faithful to His message. It does not matter how many groups kyokushin has, we create a family even now and fraternity did not end. I express the hope that kyokushin will unite again and I believe this competition will help realization of union.

After welcome speeches a ceremonial moment followed when Imre Szirbik, mayor of Szentes gave Kancho a certificate of merit, according to which town of Szentes awards honorary citizen title for Royama master.

Grant was not unreturned, since Kancho awarded 2 dan to Imre Szirbik and 1 dan to Lajos Szűcs, deputy mayor for their attendance in the organization of the WT.

After that, prizes of the WT were unveiled which was accompanied by appreciative grumbling in the hall since trophies like these have never been given to the winners of tournaments. Furthermore medals of the WT could be seen as well which was tried on by Kancho immediately adding that it is worth competing for these medals.

After the ceremony in the County Hall, a photo was taken in front of the building from where the guests walked to the Shinto Gate, but it is already another summary.