Date: March 13–15, 2026
Place: Dojo Stara Wieś, Poland
Organizer: The members of the Technical and Referee Committees of the European Organization: (Shihan Brian Fitkin, Shihan Howard Collins, Shihan Michael Söderkvist, Shihan Jan Bülow, Shihan Remigiusz Karpiński, Shihan Anca Wallmen)
On March 13–15, 2026, the 9th EKO Black Belt Seminar and the European Referee Course were held at Dojo Stara Wieś. The seminar was attended by 150 participants from 14 countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Hungary, Lithuania, Spain, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Great Britain, and Poland.
Training sessions were conducted by members of the Technical and Referee Committees of the European Organization:
Shihan Brian Fitkin, 8th Dan, Sweden
Shihan Howard Collins, 8th Dan, Sweden
Shihan Michael Söderkvist, 7th Dan, Sweden
Shihan Jan Bülow, 7th Dan, Denmark
Shihan Remigiusz Karpiński, 7th Dan, Poland
Shihan Anca Wallmen, 6th Dan, Romania
During the sessions, Shihan Fitkin and Shihan Collins provided a detailed analysis of each kata, which was demonstrated by Shihan Anca Wallmen. Following the theoretical breakdown, the kata were practiced in groups divided by grade, and subsequently refined in small teams of 3–4 people.
Simultaneously, Shihan Michael Söderkvist conducted the EKO Referee training course.
On Saturday evening, a Sayonara party was held, during which the community celebrated the 80th birthday of Shihan Brian Fitkin and the 50th birthday of Shihan Paweł Orysiak.
Next year, the 10th EKO Seminar will take place on March 12–14, 2027.
