7th Karate-do Goju-kai Global Championships

IKGA President
Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi

The 7^th Karate-do Goju-kai Association Global Championships, which began on September 28, 2017, concluded safely on October 1, 2017.The tournament saw 23 countries participate in the spirit of friendship, respect and sportsmanship as competitors sought to achieve medals.

I am thankful for the help that the Canadian Karate federation officials provided to our championships. It was a great help in the development of our competitors.

I also wish to express my thanks to all the IKGA member countries for their support of these championships. We were honoured that they were able to send their delegations of both competitors and officials.

Preparations for this tournament took a long time to plan and organize. Thank you to all the organizing committee and staff of the host country Canada for all your hard work.

I am especially thankful for the hard work of the medical staff, who were quick to act to ensure the safety and health of all the competitors.

At the conclusion of this sporting event, I was impressed by the individual honour and national pride expressed by each competitor as they congratulated each other on the medal podium.

Karatedo has been admitted to the Olympic Games that will be held in Tokyo in 2020 as a demonstration sport.

All IKGA members can see the basis and aim of sporting events is brotherly love and harmony. At the same time, Budo’s aim is the “way of knowing oneself”, and for each person to progress in their humanity through these exchanges.

In 2021, the 8^th IKGA Global Championships in succession will be held in Tokyo, Japan. I am looking forward to meeting everyone again after 4 more years of growth and progress.

Goshi Yamaguchi, Saiko Shihan
President of IKGA