IFK Mauritius proudly organised its 14th National Knockdown Tournament, bringing together more than 200 IFK members, from as young as 3 years old to experienced practitioners over the age of 70. The event celebrated the spirit of Kyokushin Karate while marking an important milestone in the history of the organisation.
For the first time ever, an IFK Mauritius national tournament was held inside a boxing ring instead of on the traditional tatami. While Kyokushin fighters from Mauritius have previously competed in ring events organised by other organisations under their own rules, Kyokushin in Mauritius had never organised its own official ring tournament. This historic event therefore represented a new chapter for IFK Mauritius.
Organising a ring tournament required months of planning and preparation. The ring itself had to be installed, officials had to be trained, and fighters had to adapt to a different competition environment. Preparation for the competitors started almost a year before the event, ensuring they were physically and mentally ready for this new challenge.
IFK Mauritius President, Sensei Rayhaan, himself a multiple-time national champion, Best Fighter, and Best Technician award winner, praised the determination shown by the new generation of karateka.
“The level of our youngsters today is exceptional. They entered the ring with confidence, courage, and the desire to give their very best. They showed great discipline, respected every decision, and displayed the true spirit of Kyokushin. Winning is important, but character is even more important, and I am proud of every single participant. The future of IFK Mauritius is in good hands.”
Country Representative Shihan Nazir explained that organising a ring tournament was completely different from organising a traditional tatami event.
“Being the first Kyokushin organisation in Mauritius to host its own ring tournament is a great achievement. The rules and procedures are different, and everything had to be carefully prepared. Before moving forward, we first obtained approval from Shihan Eddy in Switzerland. We also organised a complete referees’ and judges’ course so that all officials were properly trained before stepping into the ring. It was a tremendous amount of work, and I am very proud of the entire team who made this possible.”
A major part of the success of the tournament was the work carried out by IFK Mauritius Secretary, Event Manager, and Tatami Manager, Sensei Zaynab. Months before the tournament, she coordinated registrations, scheduling, logistics, communication, and event planning while ensuring every detail was prepared. During the competition, she supervised the smooth running of the event, coordinated officials and volunteers, and managed the competition areas to ensure the tournament progressed efficiently. Her dedication, organisation, and commitment played a vital role in making the event a success.
IFK Mauritius would like to express its sincere gratitude to all officials, volunteers, instructors, parents, supporters, and sponsors who contributed to the success of this historic tournament. Special congratulations go to every participant. Stepping into the ring for the very first IFK Mauritius national ring tournament required courage, determination, and fighting spirit. Every competitor who entered the ring represented the true values of Kyokushin, and for that, they should all be proud.