ISLAMABAD Dec 16 (TNS): Kyokushin Karate contest was held here under the auspices of Kyokushin Pakistan Federation in which one of the most popular but dangerous forms of martial arts in the country Kyokushin was displayed.
The aim of the contest was to promote and popularize Kyokushin karate.
Raja Khalid, Shakeel Awan, Shihan Hidayatullah Khan, chairman Kyokushin Pakistan Federation, Shehan Intikhab Alam, Raja Muhamad Mujahid, Khalid Qureeshi, Qaisar Khan, Raja Ajmal Advocate, Zahid Khan chairman labor wing PTI, Khalid Bhatti Advocate, Muhammad Sajid, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Ijaz, Saleem Khan, Muhammad Ateeq, Rehan Ahmed and others addressing on the occasion said that Kyokushin martial art is getting very popular in Pakistan as it promotes concept of self-defense among the young generation and keeps them mentally alert for the purpose.
CEO Raja Fitness Gym and Martial Arts Center Bahria Town, Islamabad was presented historical black belt of Shihan Hidayatullah Khan, son of Inamullah Khan, founder Kyokushin Pakistan for achieving successes in martial arts and it was said grand master Raja Khalid really deserves this award and is its true inheritor.
Black Belts Saleem Khan, Muhammad Ateeq, Rehan Ahmed and Mehmood Iqbal were given cash prizes for their excellent performance.
Muhammad Mehroz, Muhammad Talal, Malik Ahmed, Malik Allah Yar, Ezza Nazir, Faraz Ahmed, Arbab Mustafa, Muhammad Umar, Feeha Khawar, Sarmad Sohaib, Muhammad Saddique, Arooj Adrees, Maryam Sani, Hamid Iqbal, Isha Parweiz. Azan Akhtar, Ali saim, Sehar Ismail, Mehar Ismail, Areeba Khan, Zainia khan, Fawad Naeem, Talha Tahir, Saim Tahir, Ehtisham Fazal were promoted for their success in the contest.
Shihan Hidayatullah Khan, chairman Kyokushin Pakistan Federation guided the players about the techniques of developing skill, physical and speed stamina.
A full-contact style, Kyokushin has been practiced in Pakistan since 1975 when Inamullah Khan, respectfully referred to as a Shihan, or a master instructor, established the first dojo here.
Famous for its intense workout sessions and what Shihan Hidayatullah Khan, Inamullah’s son and the current grandmaster, calls “its usefulness beyond the ring, in real-life situations,” the style has been popular since the early 1980s when Bruce Lee’s action movies became a staple for local youth. More recently, the broadcast of American UFC Mixed Martial Arts, which is shown on several sports channels across Pakistan, has spurred new interest in the sport.
Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, the ethnic Korean founder of Kyokushin karate. Inamullah was a student of Masutatsu, who formally appointed him chief of the Pakistan branch in the mid-1970s. Inamullah died in 2007 and Oyama in 1994.
“What differentiates Kyokushin from other styles of karate is its realist approach to fighting,” said Hidayatullah, who holds a 5th dan black belt and is one of the most senior instructors in the country. Karate practitioners take tests to earn colored belts. At the top kyu, or level, a student will be awarded a black belt. After that, the student can proceed to dan levels, which are master rankings.
“After years of practice, you reach a level where you don’t fear pain anymore and your body is conditioned to endure all sorts of physical pain,” Hidayatullah said.
Kyokushin is often criticized for enforcing a harsh regimen. As a full-contact karate style, fighters compete with bare knuckle and the rules allow them to knock down opponents with kicks and punches unlike gentler forms of karate where such contact is forbidden. As such, kyokushin practitioners often suffer serious injuries.
