The history of Kyokushin begins in the mid-20th century and is closely tied to the name of Masutatsu Oyama — a legendary martial arts master. He was born in Korea but spent most of his life in Japan, where he studied various styles of karate and other martial arts. Oyama felt that traditional karate was gradually becoming too formal, so he decided to create his own discipline.

Founding the Style

In 1953, he opened the first dojo in Tokyo. Training at the new school was characterized by high intensity, serious physical conditioning, and full-contact fighting. This approach was unconventional at the time, and the style quickly attracted the attention of fighters.

Masutatsu Oyama actively promoted Kyokushin around the world. He held demonstration events, showcased the power of his strikes, and set grueling tests for his students. One of the style’s defining symbols became the famous kumite marathons and extreme endurance trials — including the legendary hyakunin kumite: 100 consecutive bouts.

Spreading Around the World

In the 1960s and 1970s, Kyokushin began to expand rapidly across Europe, America, and the Soviet Union. International tournaments and federations were established. Thanks to its spectacular fights and highly effective technique, the style became one of the most popular branches of karate.

After Oyama’s Death

After Masutatsu Oyama’s death in 1994, the organization split into several major federations — IKO, WKO, IFK, KWF, and others. Despite this, Kyokushin’s core philosophy survived in each new organization: discipline, respect, constant self-improvement and overcoming one’s own weaknesses — and the technique and competition rules remain virtually unchanged from Oyama’s original karate.