From August 23th to 25th the 5th JKS international cup took place in Ireland. At this occasion, the Japan team finished 1st nation in the ranking, ahead of England and Scotland. This international competition is opened from 8 years old to +50. The para karate is also present.

By Florian Fournier / Photos : D.R

School of karate founded by Asaï Sensei, the JKS is developed by Masao Kagawa today, who came to this event Kagawa Shihan to give a seminar before the competition. With Kanayama Sensei and Yamagushi Sensei, those are the best Sensei who came in Ireland. During 3 hours, 300 students worked hard to improve their karate.
After this martial moment, Kagawa Shihan held a meeting with all of branch leaders of the JKS around the world. And the new motto of the JKS is « Lifelong Karate-do », a message present during all the competition.
The Karate could be practiced from 4 to death, whoever you are. Moreover, Kagawa Shihan insisted on the point that JKS is a family, with a common language, spirit and to be developed around the world.

« The young Japanese are ready »

With a perfect organisation and timing during all the competition, the Japan team came without Koji Arimoto and the Someya sisters but with Hideyoshi Kagawa, Saori Okamoto, Daisuke Watanabe and Shohei Toyama together with young Japanese. This team proved onemore time that it is the best in Shotokan. With 23 medals (16 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze), Japan ranked 1st, ahead of England and its 28 medals (15 gold, 8 silver, 5 bronze), and Scotland (31 medals, 8 gold, 7 silver, 16 bronze).
With 30 country and 738 competitors registered, this competition was a success and Masao Kagawa is proud of his school and people who practiced his karate. The JKS has become the best school of shotokan karate. The next edition will be held in Brazil in 2021.