|
| |
Federation of European Wado-Kai's
European Wado-Ryu Karate Championships
The first official European Wado-Ryu Karate Championships took place in London, England
on the 27th February 1970. But it was not until 1972 that a European Wado-Ryu Organisation
was formed - this was the start of the Federation of European Wado-Kai (F.E.W.). The
second European Wado-Ryu Karate Championships were held in Holland on the 28th October
1972. In 1974 it was decided that the European Wado-Ryu Karate Championships would be held
annually:
| 1974 - |
Amsterdam, Holland (2nd February) |
| 1975 - |
Rome, Italy (12th April) |
| 1976 - |
London (Sobell) England (13th March) |
| 1977 - |
Hamburg, Germany (14th May) |
| 1978 - |
Amsterdam, Holland |
| 1979 - |
Dublin, Ireland (12th May) |
| 1980 - |
Stockholm, Sweden (20th September) |
In 1980, Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei (1892-1982), the founder of
Wado-Ryu Karate, considered retiring as head of Wado-Ryu Karate. He wanted his son to
succeed as the Grand Master. However, a number of other high level Wado-Ryu Karate
teachers did not favour the succession. They wanted a different leader to be appointed.
Although lengthy negotiations took place, no agreement was reached. As a result, Hironori
Ohtsuka Sensei left his own organisation, the Wado-Kai Karate Federation, and started a
new organisation called the Wado-Ryu Karate Federation. The split was regrettable, as each
karate club or association had to choose between the two organisations. Although the
different Wado-Ryu Karate organisations made their choices in Europe, the Federation of
European Wado-Kai remained united.
| 1981 - |
Rome, Italy (24th October) |
| 1982 - |
London, (Crystal Palace) England (25th September) |
| 1983 - |
Amsterdam, Holland (29th October)
|
| 1984 - |
Luton, England (24th November) |
| 1985 - |
Athens, Greece (2nd November) |
| 1986 - |
Farnborough, England (1st November) |
| 1987 - |
Hamburg, Germany (24th October) |
| 1988 - |
Chambray, France (22nd October) |
| 1989 - |
The first World Wado-Ryu Karate Championships London (Crystal Palace) England (26th
and 27th August) |
In 1989 Mr. Masafumi Shiomitsu expressed dissatisfaction with the direction taken by
Wado Karate in the UK and Europe. Hence, he chose to leave the United Kingdom Karate-Do
Wado-Kai in order to form the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy, and affiliate to the Wado-Ryu
Karate-Do Federation in Japan. Furthermore, Tatsuo Suzuki also decided to leave and start
his own organisation named the International Wado-Ryu Karate Federation. Mr K. Sagagami
Sensei decided to join Wado-Kai Karate Federation in Japan.
| 1990 - |
Gothenburg, Sweden (3rd November) |
| 1991 - |
Amsterdam, Holland (5th October) |
| 1992 - |
Rome, Italy (29th November) |
From 1992 as a result of the 1989 reformation, the Federation of European Wado-Kai has
suffered from political unrest - on occasion some countries have boycotted the Federation
of European Wado-Kai, European Championships. This produced difficulties for the
organising committees of the host nations and the reluctance of some countries to palace
bids to host the event. Despite these problems, the championships have continued.
| 1993 - |
Nuremburg, Germany (23rd October) |
| 1994 - |
2nd Would Wado-Ryu Karate Championships, Tokyo, Japan, (28th August) |
| 1995 - |
Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
| 1996 - |
Budapest, Hungary |
| 1997 - |
St. Gallen, Switzerland (8th November) |
| 1998 - |
Guilford, England (31st October) |
| 1999 - |
3rd Would Wado-Ryu Karate Championships Tokyo Japan |
| 2000 - |
Berlin, Germany (28th October) |
| 2001 - |
Dublin, Ireland (27th October) |
There are currently over 30 member countries of the Federation of European Wado-Kai,
including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In
addition, Japan is a honourary member, and Madagascar is an associate member.
|
