From 31 October to 2 November 2025, the city of Chur, Switzerland, became the meeting point for Kyokushin practitioners from around the world. The 30th Kumite Weekend, organized by Shihan Eddy Gabathuler (8th Dan), once again proved to be one of the most inspiring and technical karate gatherings in Europe.
This special anniversary edition welcomed Shihan Francisco Filho (7th Dan) from Brazil, President of KWU SENSHI South America and one of the greatest icons in Kyokushin history. Known for his legendary achievements, Shihan Filho completed the 100-man kumite in both Brazil and Japan, became World Heavyweight Champion in 1997, and later won the Open Weight World Championship in 1999. He also represented Kyokushin at the highest professional level, competing in K-1, where he earned worldwide recognition for his strength, discipline, and fighting spirit.,
A total of 141 karatekas from 25 dojos, 13 organizations, and 7 nations took part in this year’s event. Across five intensive training sessions, participants studied advanced aspects of Kyokushin, including high kicks, dynamic movement, foot sweep techniques, and counterattacks.
Throughout the sessions, Shihan Filho emphasized the process of learning — transforming information into experience, knowledge into strategy, and strategy into intuition. He repeatedly reminded all participants that true growth in Kyokushin comes from pushing beyond personal limits — physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Shihan Filho’s teaching style combined deep technical knowledge with insights from his journey as a world-class competitor. His ability to connect physical technique with mental evolution left a strong impression on everyone present.
The 30th Kumite Weekend concluded with sincere gratitude to Shihan Filho for his wisdom, humility, and inspiration — and to all who contributed to another unforgettable chapter in the spirit of Kyokushin.
OSU!
