To all members of the IBK

To all members of the IBK:

I have recently noticed that there is a lot of unrest in my International Budo Kaikan and this open letter is to address that unrest. This letter will be the final say on the matter of who is Kancho of the All-Round Fighting.

A lot of questions are asked regarding my earlier decision to set up both an IBK Kyokushin Full Contact Karate board and an IBK Kyokushin Budokai All-Round Fighting board in which I have clearly appointed two Kanchos. I have used my personal experience to decide the two most competent people to perform the function of Kancho. Each of these
Kancho I have selected to develop the IBK and take it into the future.

As far as Kancho Jan De Bruin (Netherlands) is concerned, I can only say that he was already there from the very beginning and is without doubt an excellent Kancho for the IBK Kyokushin Full Contact Karate Council. His years of experience in structuring, coordinating and organizing everything within the Kyokushin Full Contact Karate has been of huge value for the IBK. He is also supported by various handpicked advisors within his Council.

Importantly, with regard to Kancho Eric Van Vaerenbergh (Belgium) I can only express my high praise, during the past decades he has emerged as a competitive fighter, trainer and coach into a real Kyokushin Budokai All-Round Fighting expert. These are not empty words but my observations of someone who for many years was present at both national and international summer camps, winter camps, championships, internships, seminars and any other event where he represented my IBK. Kancho Eric's dedication to martial arts means that he has obtained several high grades in different martial arts (boxing, Muay Thai and Kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, to name a few) and is also a recognized trainer employed by the Ministry of Sport. He is also the only one who succeeded in having Kyokushin Budokai All-Round Fighting recognized as official martial art in Belgium! This is the reason that my decision is not based on who has the highest grade.

Kancho Eric’s loyalty to me has in the past see him take on a similar role to the one he now has, which is why I know he is competent. At the 2006 summer camp in Budapest I personally introduced him as my right hand. I then made him my personal Special Advisor in 2012. For many years he has worked hard behind the scenes for my IBK, which is why, as my health began to fail me, he was my first choice for Kancho. He has the power to choose his own Special Advisers as and when he feels it will benefit the IBK. He does ask this for no financial gain, or any reward at all. Kancho Eric communicates with me regularly, keeping me updated on developments.

Only he has my power of attorney with matters regarding the All-Round Fighting section of the IBK.

I need to make this clear. Only Kancho Eric has this full power of attorney. IBK country representatives (IBK Dai-Shihans) have this power within their own country, as long as these are within the policies and procedures of the Kyokushin Budokai All-Round Fighting. This power of attorney does not therefore apply beyond the borders of the country of the IBK Dai-Shihan, but only on his or her own territory. This is made explicit within the forthcoming Dai-Shihan contracts (which all Dai-Shihans will input into). Kancho Eric wishes to take the IBK into the 21st century, but he needs your support to do this. I choose all my Dai-Shihans for their Budo and their loyalty. Now I ask that you show that loyalty to the man I've asked to lead the All - Round Fighting section of the IBK.

Osu.

Bear hugs
Kaicho Jon Bluming