Shinkyokushinkai is one of the largest branches of modern Kyokushin karate, formed after the 1994 split. It is the organization that rivals IKO Matsui for the title of the world’s largest Kyokushin body.

Founding History

Following the death of Masutatsu Oyama in 1994, a sharp leadership conflict erupted within IKO. A significant number of leading shihans and international federations refused to recognize the authority of Akira Matsui and announced the creation of an alternative structure — IKO-2. This branch later received the official name Shinkyokushinkai and the organizational form of WKO (World Karate Organization).

In the early years, leadership of the organization was associated with Shihan Hatsuo Royama, but today WKO/Shinkyokushinkai is headed by Kenji Midori — an absolute World Champion and one of the most respected masters in Kyokushin.

Scale and Representation

According to 2019 data, more than 71 countries competed at the WKO World Championship — more than at the equivalent IKO event. By number of participating nations, Shinkyokushinkai claims the status of the largest Kyokushin organization in the world. Total membership exceeds several million people.

In Russia, Shinkyokushinkai is represented by the Kyokushin Karate Federation of Russia (FKKR), which is part of the WKO structure. Russian athletes have traditionally held leading positions at WKO World Championships.

Key Features

Shinkyokushinkai maintains full contact without protective gear — the classic rules established by Masutatsu Oyama. At the same time, the organization takes a more open and cooperative approach compared to IKO:

  • Actively cooperates with other Kyokushin organizations
  • Allows athletes from different federations to compete at its tournaments
  • Holds joint competitions and seminars
  • Develops a weight-category system alongside absolute divisions

WKO World Championship

The organization’s flagship event — the WKO World Championship — brings together more than 70 countries and is one of the largest full-contact karate tournaments in the world. The tournament is held every two to four years.