International Federation of Karate (Kyokushin)

The Strongest Karate

The International Federation of Karate (Kyokushin), or IFK for short, brings Kyokushin organizations and karate practitioners together worldwide. The federation supports an intensive training method that combines technique, fitness, discipline, and character development.

The IFK is guided by the ideal of The Strongest Karate: a demanding, sporting, and respectful approach to Kyokushin Karate.

The organization

Profile

A global Kyokushin federation

The IFK supports representatives and organizations in Europe, Russia and Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, South and East Asia, Oceania, and North and South America.

The federation works with an executive board and specialized committees for knockdown, kata, and media. This allows the IFK to combine competitive sport with technical development, training, and international cooperation.

Using the world map and country representatives, karate practitioners can find their local IFK community and training opportunities.

Over the years

History

Connected to Kyokushin since 1992

The International Federation of Karate was founded in 1992 by Hanshi Steve Arneil. From that foundation, the IFK grew into an international federation with representatives and affiliated communities across several continents.

The federation continues the Kyokushin tradition through dojo training, examinations, instructor development, and international competitions. The memory of Steve Arneil remains closely linked to the identity and development of the IFK.

The history of the IFK is characterized by international growth, technical development, and a strong emphasis on the spirit of Kyokushin.

Within the sport

Activities and role

Championships, seminars and grading exams

The IFK organizes world championships, European championships, kata championships, tournaments, seminars, training camps and gradings. These activities take place in the federation's various regions.

The knockdown and kata commissions support the technical quality of competitive sport. Coaches, referees, instructors and athletes are given opportunities to further develop through seminars and regional activities.

The IFK also supports national representatives at local competitions, training sessions and international exchanges.

Connection

Membership and participation

Country Representatives and Dojos

The IFK works with country representatives and regional communities that organize Kyokushin Karate in their own countries. They form the link between local dojos and the international federation.

Students train at their own dojo and can participate in examinations, seminars, camps, and competitions through national structures. International cooperation enables the exchange of knowledge and experience.

The federation brings karate practitioners of different ages and levels together, from beginners to experienced instructors and competitive athletes.

Why this matters

Impact and meaning

Discipline, resilience and respect

Kyokushin training requires commitment and perseverance. Athletes learn to cope with physical exertion, tension and resistance, thereby building their resilience.

IFK combines this demanding form of training with respect, fair play and responsibility. The opponent is a partner in development, and the dojo remains a place for discipline and mutual respect.

In this way, IFK supports a form of karate in which sporting ambition and personal growth reinforce each other.

Media and additional information

News and international Kyokushin activities

The official IFK channels publish news, competition calendars, results, photos, videos, and information about country representatives. Seminars, training camps, gradings, and regional tournaments are also highlighted.

The IFK also provides information about its board, committees, mission, history, and technical development within Kyokushin.

More information about the International Federation of Karate (Kyokushin) can be found at ifk-kyokushin.com.