IFK Switzerland Summer Camp 2025
The annual summer camp took place at the Willisau Sports Centre from 19 to 22 July.
The five-hour exam began before noon, with all candidates for the next grade being tested on their knowledge of kihon and kata, their understanding of Kyokushinkai karate and their physical fitness.
In the evening, the first joint training session began, with Shihan Edi teaching us both familiar and new techniques in a varied and strenuous manner.
On Sunday, the first training session took place as usual at an early hour and in groups, so that everyone could benefit as much as possible. The two further training sessions were held under the motto ‘World Champion Day’:
In the morning, everyone benefited from the knowledge and training methods of Senpai Ramon Pfändler (World Champion Kata). He demonstrated training methods for optimising a kata, but also addressed the challenge of a team kata. This allowed everyone to present a kata in a team of three, which revealed constellations with a lot of potential.
In the afternoon, Senpai Angela Felber (World Champion Kumite) led a combat training session. After the warm-up, she discussed various training methods, which were very varied and, not least because of the music, inspired a lot of enthusiasm and the occasional hip swing.
Overall, all participants enjoyed two excellent and refreshing training sessions, and we would like to thank our champions once again for their time and valuable input!
After dinner, the coloured belts enjoyed some fun in the indoor swimming pool, while the brown and black belts worked on their kata grading skills in the referee course.
On Monday, training continued as usual in groups, with both kihon and kata being practised under the guidance of various shihans. This gave everyone the opportunity to benefit from different perspectives and approaches. After lunch, the traditional 30-man/woman kumite took place, where everyone could compete against different opponents and put their newly acquired knowledge to use.
The traditional highlight of the training camp took place again this year on Monday evening with the Sayonara Party, which this year took us on a journey to the Wild West. In the evening, numerous cowboys, Indians, horse lovers and other characters gathered in the saloon to enjoy the evening programme. Many hidden talents – hobby horsing, line dancing, public speaking and cinematic masterpieces – came to light, making the evening fly by.
Tuesday morning saw the conclusion of the summer camp with a short training session followed by the graduation ceremony. Before that, however, all camp participants had the pleasure of watching the individual katas of the Sandan candidates. The examinees demonstrated their understanding of Kyokushinkai karate in relation to their respective life paths and personalities.
This was followed by the announcement of the exam results. We congratulate the following examinees on their new graduations:
Kohai Emma Zlatunic, 10th Kyu
Senpai Bekzhan Altaev, 1st DAN
Senpai Martin Berlinger, 1st DAN
Senpai Erich-Andreas Bürgisser, 1st DAN
Senpai Roland Konrad, 1st DAN
Senpai Hildegard Merkel, 1st DAN
Senpai Ciprian Tantu, 1st DAN
Senpai Nadja Gansner, 2nd DAN
Senpai Simone Muntwyler, 2nd DAN
Sensei Sina Burri, 3rd DAN
Sensei Fabio De Patre, 3rd DAN
Sensei Angela Felber, 3rd DAN
Sensei Fabia Franck, 3rd DAN
Sensei Anita Klaus, 3rd DAN
Sensei Roland Müller, 3rd DAN
In addition, the following Yudansha were awarded promotions for their services and efforts on behalf of IFK Switzerland:
Sensei Simon Birrer, 4th DAN
Sensei Markus Graziano, 4th DAN
Shihan Philipp Halter, 5th DAN
Shihan Dolores Emmengger-Jaros, 6th DAN
We would like to congratulate them and thank them for their hard work, OSU!
We would also like to thank all camp participants for their participation and for once again creating an incredible atmosphere at the summer camp. We are already looking forward to next year!
OSU, IFK Switzerland Kyokushinkai
