Kyokushin Karate: Dilemma of Face Strikes

Kyokushin Karate was so intense in its early days, reminiscent of mixed martial arts, that some practitioners were even known to have lost a few teeth due to the fierce training atmosphere. Isove Seiji, who was both a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and also served as a driver for Choi Yeong-ui, the leader of Kyokushin, described the early dojo atmosphere as one where if you got hit in the face, you were criticized for not defending or avoiding the strike.

In the early days, safety considerations were minimal in competitions, with even elbow strikes targeting the face. Consequently, due to safety concerns, face punches were eventually prohibited in matches. However, this restriction on face strikes became a recurring downside whenever Kyokushin’s practicality was discussed. It’s possible that the lack of training against face strikes, even with protective gear, contributed to this issue. It’s an error to prepare for matches under the assumption of no face strikes while teaching or practicing with the expectation of encountering them in real situations.

Internally, there have been complaints within Kyokushin about the unfairness of the rule, questioning why Kyokushin alone should be subjected to such limitations, especially given its roots in advocating for practical combat. However, this can be seen as a consequence of Kyokushin’s aggressive marketing as a form of “real combat martial art” during its early stages, which relied more on stories of Choi Yeong-ui’s prowess rather than deep martial arts analysis and communication.

While martial arts like boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, judo, and wrestling have proven their effectiveness through mixed martial arts, Kyokushin’s face strike restriction has led to criticism of its practicality, particularly as MMA and kickboxing gained popularity in the late 20th century. The reluctance to engage in face strikes has resulted in Kyokushin practitioners facing humiliation in other combat sports events, despite their physical and technical prowess.

The dilemma surrounding face strikes is unlikely to be completely resolved unless there are advancements in medical technology that can instantly heal injuries. Therefore, some compromise needs to be found, considering that Kyokushin practitioners were once dedicated to practical combat training. However, with the retirement or passing of the generation that experienced real combat and the emergence of new practitioners who don’t see the need to train against prohibited techniques, Kyokushin’s training focus has shifted away from practical combat.

As a result, Kyokushin’s relevance in modern combat sports events, including MMA, has diminished significantly, especially after incidents like Francisco Filho, one of Kyokushin’s strongest champions, being knocked out in K-1 matches shocked many. The acknowledgment of the absence of face strikes as Kyokushin’s biggest flaw by combat sports experts highlights the need for a reassessment of Kyokushin’s training methods.

Various solutions have been proposed by splinter groups within Kyokushin, such as adopting full-contact rules, using protective gear, or allowing glove-based sparring akin to kickboxing. However, even if protective gear or glove sparring is adopted, many practitioners still adhere to Kyokushin’s basic rules during training, as they are suitable for physical conditioning. Therefore, the dilemma surrounding face strikes remains a subject of interest within the Kyokushin community, particularly regarding potential changes to sparring rules.