IKO WORLD CUP | KATOWICE, POLAND

The 2024 IKO World Team Matches, the 21st IKO European Open & European Cup Karate Championships, collectively coined, "IKO WORLD CUP KATOWICE 24" were held in Katowice, Poland, on Saturday & Sunday, October 26 and 27, 2024.

On Saturday, Oct 26, Honorable Mayor of Katowice City, Marcin Krupa, officially declared the opening of the festivities, and welcomed a record breaking 850+ competitors in Kata and Kumite categories to the events.

On Sunday, Oct 27, the morning began with Kancho Matsui leading an enormous IKO Training Seminar, to which over 800 members of all ages participated, making it one of the largest IKO Kyokushinkaikan group training sessions ever. 

In the afternoon, thousands gathered at the SPODEX Arena in Katowice center, for the 2024 IKO World Team Matches. The festivities opened with an awe-inspiring Kihon exhibition of 300 IKO Black Belts to commemorate IKO Poland's 50th Anniversary. 

Eight teams competed for the World Championship title, representing IKO Japan, IKO Europe, IKO Asia/Middle East, IKO South Pacific, IKO North America, IKO South America, IKO Africa, and IKO Poland. Each team consisted of four competitors, one each in the Men's Open, Women's Open, Junior Boys Open, and Junior Girls Open. Winners of each Team match were awarded points, and the Team with the highest cumulative total & best technical finishes, won the Championship: IKO Japan, with the highest total score, and Wazaari finishes. IKO Europe took 2nd, and IKO Poland, 3rd.

Sunday evening, at the Official Sayonara Party, Kancho Matsui extended his sincere gratitude and congratulations to all participants and organizers, and presented an IKO Poland 50th Anniversary commemorative plaque to each IKO Poland Branch Chief and Dojo Operator.

The 2-day event welcomed nearly 1000 IKO members from 31 countries, and heralded the return of the IKO World Cup Team Matches magnificently.

Osu!