The 2025 IKOKU World Cup on the Gold Coast Australia
The 2025 IKOKU World Cup on the Gold Coast Australia.
This was the fist IKOKU World Cup and only the second World Cup ever staged in Australia.
It was held over 21 – 24 November 2025, on the picturesque city of the Gold Coast,Queensland.
We had a total of 16 countries attend with their teams, with 180 competitors, 45 hierarchy and officials, with 75 overseas spectators. We realised a total of 700 spectators across the two days of competition.
We picked up most countries from the airport through the week and ensured they all made it to their accommodation safely.
【Friday 21st November】
Weigh-in and registration of Competitors:
This was held between 9am and 12pm at the event venue, during this time all competitors were weighed, checked and provided with their competitors bags. The bags included their competitor number, program, merchandise items and sponsors gifts.
Judge and Referee seminar:
To ensure the proficiency and standard of the officials at the event, a seminar was held, hosted by our most senior grade and official, Shihan Tabata, 8th Dan. This also provides a learning opportunity and test for lower graded officials in order to progress their license level. A group of 60 officials participated in this seminar.
Kumite Seminar:
Shihan Okamoto, 6th Dan, from Japan was a previous World Champion athletes in his own right. Whilst he was gracing our shores, we ensured that everyone had access to him and his knowledge through a seminar. This kumite/ sparring seminar proved to be a favourite with over 150 people attending the seminar.
Welcome party:
There is always a short Welcome party for all countries to mingle and greet each other as there are usually a few years between meetings. This provides the host country a platform to welcome all the attendees and thank them for their efforts in attending. This was held at Kurrawa Surf Club, in their function centre on the top floor. This provided an iconic view of the beach and a view enjoyed by many from overseas. As always, there are also speeches to be enjoyed from high-ranking dignitaries. This was attended by 80 people.
【Saturday 22nd November】
Soft Opening of the event:
Prior to hosting the event, we were asked to incorporate an international Kata/Forms event to run in conjunction with the Kumite/sparring competition. This was held on the Saturday morning to be concluded by lunchtime. We incorporated some local not-for-profit Taiko drummers, Kizuna taiko, to provide the dramatic feel of the event. The Kata event ran smoothly and success was greatly enjoyed by a spread of participants from many countries, please see the results page for details of placings. The awards were presented by a couple of our Senior Grades, Shihan Tabata from Japan, Shihan Trevor Field from Australia, and we managed to incorporate the local MP Angie Bell, a great supporter of our events.
During the lunch break, our valuable commercial sponsors were recognised with commemorative plaques. The local Aboriginal group were also preparing for their part in the Grand Opening.
Grand Opening of the main event:
The Grand opening was started outside on the venue lawn area. This comprised a Smoking Ceremony, mainly for the athletes, to ward off bad spirits and foster good fortune for the upcoming competition. This was enjoyed by many of the overseas visitors as well.
The competitors were then led into the arena, in their relative country’s groups, led by one of the aboriginal performers. Inside, the rest of the troupe were waiting with their cultural instruments and songs. When assembled, everyone was welcomed by Auntie Candice to the country. We then enjoyed the national anthem sung in Yugambeh and English, followed by the Japanese anthem. We then enjoyed a performance by the Aboriginal dance troupe. The Opening was concluded by speeches from attending dignitaries.
The Preliminary rounds of Competition, all divisions, then commenced across two competition areas. This concluded at 4pm, on schedule, the competitors were then ferried back to their accommodation by the volunteers in minibuses.
【Sunday 23rd November】
Soft Opening:
On the Sunday morning, the athletes were once again led into the arena, this time by a flautist and drummer from the Byron Taiko ensemble. We enjoyed the Australian and Japanese anthems sung by our resident MC, Mr. Chris White, then a performance by the taiko ensemble, a fusion of Japanese and Australian culture incorporating a didgeridoo into their format. A few more speeches, then underway with the competition.
During the lunch break, we enjoyed the skills of a Shodo Master, not often seen on a large scale in Australia.
The days competition comprised the Semi-Final rounds, Third place play-off, Finals of Competition across 17 divisions, male and female. This all ran very smoothly and finished perfectly to schedule. In true Kyokushin style, there were some great demonstrations of skill and determination throughout the competition, again please see results sheet for details of final placings.
The completion of tournament and presentations were concluded before 3:45, allowing for the transport of athletes, et al prior to again being picked up at 4:30pm to transport to the Sayonara party.
Sayonara Party:
Just like the Welcome party, the Sayonara (farewell) party is a traditional end to large
competitions. It provides the competitors to celebrate at the end of an intense period of training and effort on their part.
As many of the overseas visitors were not spending much time in Australia, we felt it pertinent to provide as much culture for them as possible in their short stays. In this vein, we held the sayonara party at the Currumbin Wildlife SanctuaryGold Coast's #1 Attraction | Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Being late in the afternoon, our visitors were greeted by some very active animals, and Smoking Ceremony by Luther Cora and group, a Billy Tea demonstration and a local country singer. The food provided was again of an Australian theme. We could not have asked for a better representation for our guests and was labelled as one of the ‘best ever’.
【Monday 24th November】
Shihan Tabata Training Seminar:
Monday morning saw the final event that could be attended by the general population of karateka. Over 100 karateka gathered for a seminar with one of the last remaining of our founder’s students, Shihan Tabata. The opportunity of training with a leader of this standard does not come along often, and we were glad that we could provide such an opportunity for many. It did not disappoint, with much knowledge and insights spread across the two-hour seminar.
International Dan Grading:
Once again, at international events, an opportunity presents itself for the testing of individuals progress in front of the International Dan Grading Committee.
In Kyokushin, this is an arduous affair lasting several hours, culminating in many rounds of sparring. We were pleased that 40 participants from many countries decided to avail themselves of this opportunity.
This comprised the 2025 IKOKU World Cup, associated Australian International Kata Competition and associated events. We are truly thankful that we had the chance to showcase our art, Kyokushin Karate, in our beautiful country. It all made us very proud as a small club achieving great things by working together.
We hope the tradition of world-wide competition, communication and camaraderie can continue for a very long time within the IKOKU and for Kyokushin Karate.
OSU !
