Kyokushin Karate, a full-contact style known for its intense training and emphasis on real-world fighting, was founded by Masutatsu Oyama in 1964. Oyama, a Korean-Japanese martial artist, sought to create a martial art that would test the limits of human potential and develop both physical and mental strength.

Kyokushin’s training is renowned for its rigorousness, including extensive sparring, endurance exercises, and breaking techniques. Oyama himself gained legendary status for his feats of strength, such as fighting bulls and breaking stacks of tiles with his bare hands.

One of the defining features of Kyokushin is its full-contact kumite (sparring), where fighters engage in intense, no-holds-barred combat. This style of fighting has led to the development of powerful striking techniques, including powerful kicks and punches.

Kyokushin also places great importance on traditional karate training, such as kata (prearranged forms) and basic techniques. Kata are used to develop precision, power, and mental focus, while basic techniques provide the foundation for more advanced techniques.

Since its inception, Kyokushin has grown into a global organization with millions of practitioners worldwide. It has produced numerous champions in various martial arts competitions, including kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

Today, Kyokushin continues to evolve, adapting to the changing landscape of martial arts. While maintaining its core principles of hard training and full-contact fighting, Kyokushin also emphasizes the development of character, discipline, and self-improvement.