Kamil Mousin, President of Kobe Osaka Russia with Tommy Morris in Moscow

The KOI History

There was so much interest in a new International Shukokai and Shitoryu organisation that it was decided in 1991 to found Kobe Osaka International. From the start it was agreed that there should be provision for younger children to participate, since the World Union of Karate-do Oganisations (now WKF), did not provide competition for those under 16 years of age. In addition instructor and referee training would be a priority, and coaches and officials would be expected to display a high degree of competence and responsibility.

The first Congress was held in Scotland on 19th July 1992 with representatives from nine countries attending, Australia, Egypt, England, Greece, Italy, N. Ireland, Russia, Scotland, and South Africa. 165 persons attended the Gasshuku, which was held from 20th July until 23rd July and 270 competitors took part in the first competition on the 25th July.

Every year since there has been a meeting with international training camps featuring information intensive training in all aspects of karate-do, including kata, kihon, self-defence, and competition plus kobudo, ju-jitsu, coaching courses for instructors, and refereeing. At the end of the Gasshukus, examinations were held and international certificates issued. The week's training always ends with the KOI World Cup Championships. Over the years Kobe Osaka Russia has emerged as the major force to be reckoned with and have taken many of the medals. More recently Egypt, Iran, Philippines and Uzbekistan have also had major successes. The venues were:

1992 till 1996 KOI 1-5 Scotland.
1997 KOI 6 Zadar, Croatia.
1998 KOI 7 Evia, Greece.
1999 KOI 8 Erding, Bavaria.
2000 KOI 9 Wishaw, Scotland
2001 KOI 10 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
2002 KOI 11 Dresden, Germany
2003 KOI 12 Halkida, Greece
2004 KOI 13 Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2005 KOI 14 Moscow, Russia
2006 KOI 15 Halkida, Greece
2007 KOI 16 Varna, Bulgaria
2008 KOI 17 Latina, Italy
2009 KOI 18 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
2010 KOI 19 Evia, Greece
2011 KOI 20 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Until Dresden in July of 2002, Erding was the site of the biggest ever KOI World Cup. Running six tatamis, the German organisers processed 800 individual competitors and 97 teams for kumite and kata, from 20 countries in two days. However this was surpassed in Dresden when 1200 competitors from 31 countries competed on eight tatamis. The whole event was completed in a day and a half. However at a meeting of the KOI instructors it was decided that in future entry to the competition would be restricted to those who attended the training camp so that the traditional "Kobe Osaka Family" atmosphere should be preserved.

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