Kyokushin karate’s 36th annual karate training camp |08 April 2026

Kyokushin karate builds strength and spirit at annual camp

The Kyokushin Karate School organised its 36th annual karate training camp over the Easter weekend on Praslin, with the involvement of 54 members, including three foreigners from China and Mauritius.

Another student from Sri Lanka was unable to attend, as his flight, which was scheduled to transit through the Middle East, was cancelled.

The 2024 Women’s World Kumite champion, Rachel Bai, and her husband, Xiao Zheng, both from the Hangzhou Dojo in China, took part in the camp as part of their preparation for three major upcoming tournaments: the IKAK World Championships in Kazakhstan, the Lion City Championships in Singapore, and the Dragon Cup in Kagoshima, Japan.

Sensei Zheng was the grand champion at both the Lion City Championships and the Dragon Cup last year, and is currently preparing for his 4th dan (Yondan) grading.

Sempai Bai was also the grand champion at the Lion City Championships and the runner-up at the Kagoshima Cup, and successfully passed her 2nd dan (Nidan) grading last year.

These achievements followed an intensive three-week Uchi Deshi training stint at the Young Lions Dojo under the guidance of Phillip Moustache (7th dan) and Philip Verghese (6th dan).

Sempai Kevin Nitish Jugarsingh, a 2nd dan (Nidan) black belt from Mauritius, also took part in the training camp for the first time and is currently undertaking a two-week Uchi Deshi training programme at the Young Lions Dojo.

The four-day camp, held at Baie St Anne School, was conducted by Shihan Moustache and helped by Shihan Verghese. According to the organisers, the camp was a great success, although no attempt was made this year to break the record for the non-stop performance of hand techniques.

The training camp aimed to prepare those who took part for upcoming gradings, as well as the World Championships and other tournaments scheduled for later this year.

Additionally, one student is set to attempt the demanding 30-man fight test this week.

Three training sessions were held daily, with the karatekas required to wake up at 5am for a mandatory 45-minute morning run starting at 5.30am.

The first session focused on Ido Kihon (standing basics), while the second was dedicated to the practice and refinement of kata (forms) and bunkai (applications).

After each kata, students received detailed explanations of the practical application of each movement. The final session concentrated on Renraku, or fighting combinations.

One of the defining features of the Kyokushin gasshuku is the continuous performance of numerous punching and kicking techniques, demonstrating Kyokushin’s distinctive ‘Spirit of Osu’, perseverance beyond one’s limits.

During a beach training session at Côte d’Or, students practised Ido Kihon and further developed their fighting skills through kumite (fighting) on the sand.

On the final day, a grading session was conducted for some Kyu belt students, all of whom were successful.

A separate grading for senior students is scheduled to take place in the coming months.

The organisers expressed their sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, the National Sports Council, Marlu Fisheries, Inter Island Boats, as well as the parents and Kyokushin students, for their valuable contributions towards the success of the camp.

The accompanying photos highlight the 36th annual karate training camp.

Text and photos: Contributed