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Kancho
Matsui
Present Head of Kyokushin Karate
SHOKEI MATSUI
It was with much sadness that in late April of 1994, the Kyokushin family across the globe learnt that its founder Sosai Masutatsu Oyama had died in a Tokyo hospital. He is missed by not only the masses who have followed in his footsteps but by the martial arts community as well.
His successor. Kancho Shokei Matsui Eighth Dan was named by Sosai himself to carry on the task of building and preserving the name of Kyokushin.
Kancho Matsui was born in 1963, and commenced his illustrious karate career at the age of 13. He quickly established a firm reputation for being a karate man of exceptional skill and ability, with a highly individual, technically superior style of fighting. He took the basics he learnt in the dojo, and through intense and dedicated training, he made these techniques work for him. Students around the world continue to try and capture some of the essence of Kancho's style of fighting in their own training. His exceptional tournament record, over three successive years in particular, led Sosai Oyama to call him a true champion. In 1985, at the age of 22, he won the 12th All Japan Open Tournament. In 1986, he won the 13th All Japan Open Tournament and in 1987, he won the 4th World Open Karate Tournament. Additionally, in 1986 he succeeded in the One Hundred Men Kumite, achieving the highest rate of knockdowns and wins in this ultimate challenge, which only a select few have managed to complete.
Ultimately, the stature of the man is confirmed in his designation as Sosai Oyamas successor in Sosais last will, and he now heads the largest karate organization in the world.
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