On April 29, 2026, the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo hosted the KWU SENSHI JAPAN 1st International Tournament, the first international KWU SENSHI event held in Japan. According to the tournament information site, the event was designed as a major international competition, with participation projected at around 400 athletes and World Cup qualification opportunities attached to the Champion Class divisions.
The competition carried special importance because the winners of the Champion Class categories for athletes aged 14 to 21 earned berths for the KWU SENSHI World Cup, scheduled for July in Bulgaria. The event therefore served not only as a landmark for KWU SENSHI in Japan, but also as a direct pathway to one of the organization’s major international stages.
Among the biggest highlights of the tournament was Ian Tapia of KWU SENSHI Chile, who won the 14–15 boys over 70 kg division. The eFight report noted that Tapia secured the title in the final with a decisive flying knee and now advances to Bulgaria aiming for a second consecutive World Cup title after winning there last year.
Another standout was Koki Oba of Mugen Yushinkai, who won the 18–21 men’s heavyweight division. According to eFight, Oba used dynamic footwork, kicking technique, and powerful punching combinations to control his path through the tournament. The report also noted that he had previously won in Bulgaria in the 18–21 men under 85 kg category and will now pursue success in a higher weight class.
In the women’s field, Noa Sakai of Shichushu-kai captured the 18–21 women under 55 kg title. eFight highlighted her punching power and noted that she had already drawn attention through strong performances in major youth competition in Japan.
The event also had a strong international atmosphere, with well-known Kyokushin figures present in Japan, including Francisco Filho, Ewerton Teixeira, Glaube Feitosa, Tariel Nikoleishvili, Zahari Damyanov, and Jan Soukup. eFight reported that several of these legends also took part in a seminar in Tokyo the following day, extending the impact of the tournament beyond competition alone.
Publicly confirmed Champion Class results
Men
14–15 years
- Under 50 kg — Ryuto Sumi (Sakurajuku)
- Under 60 kg — Ren Koizumi (Yotsuba-kai)
- Under 70 kg — Yuto Ohara (KWU SENSHI JAPAN Narushima Dojo)
- Over 70 kg — Ian Tapia (KWU SENSHI Chile)
16–17 years
- Under 55 kg — Shoji Ishiguro (Shichushu-kai)
- Under 65 kg — Taiyo Ishimine (Sakurajuku)
- Under 75 kg — Ryusei Urayama (Bushokan Yoshimura Dojo)
- Over 75 kg — Hiroya Iguchi (Mugen Yushinkai)
18–21 years
- Under 75 kg — Tsukasa Sato (Shubukai)
- Heavyweight — Koki Oba (Mugen Yushinkai)
Women
14–15 years
- Under 45 kg — Noa Yamamoto (Shichushu-kai)
- Under 55 kg — Seira Nakayama (Sakurajuku)
16–17 years
- Under 55 kg — Moa Takahashi (Sakurajuku)
- Under 65 kg — Kanon Mikama (Yusei-kai Inoue Dojo)
18–21 years
- Under 55 kg — Noa Sakai (Shichushu-kai)
The successful staging of the KWU SENSHI JAPAN 1st International Tournament marked an important step for the organization’s development in Japan. By connecting the Japanese competitive scene directly to the international KWU SENSHI calendar, the event established a strong foundation for future editions while sending a new group of qualified athletes toward Bulgaria.
