Date: August 7-10, 2025
Place: Vata de Jos, Romania
Organizer: FRKK (WKO Romania)
Over 370 karateka from Belgium, Hungary, Holland, Germany, Croatia, Great Britain and Romania took part in the Romanian Shinkyokushin Federation summer camp led by Shihan Norichika Tsukamoto and sensei Keijiro Tsukamoto from 7 to 10th August.
The camp was organized in the middle of Transylvania, in the very famous Vata Bai spa, near the city of Deva. The trainings were led by one of the most famous Japanese karatekas, the genius Shihan Norichika Tsukamoto Norichika, took place on a very nice grass field surrounded by green hills. Two times a day, Shihan Tsukamoto and his son, the fresh vice-world middleweight champion, Keijiro Tsukamoto, taught with great passion and knowledge their training method that made Tsukamoto dojo so famous in the world. With grace and patience, both teachers showed many methods of how fighters can improve their skills, their movement and efficiency. Almost every training was completed with 30 minutes of sparring under the supervision of Shihan Tsukamoto. Kihon, Ido and Kata were also part of the training, making it understandable for everyone that the basics of karate are foremost important.
The last training was really emotional and important because Shihan Tsukamoto took his time to explain to all participants from his own experience, that spirit comes before technique, and that control of the skill is as important as acquiring knowledge. With passion and understanding he said: “Winning, losing, all this is not of great importance. Most important is to never give up and to continue the path of karate. Clean your heart every day, be kind to your colleagues, to your masters, to your family and friends. This is true Budo karate.”
At the end of the camp, Shihan Tsukamoto, together with Shihan Koen Spitaels and Shihan Gilbert Cleveringa, supervised the grading test of over 70 students which made the examination process of even greater importance for all the participants. Also, Shihan Tsukamoto officially awarded the belts and certificates for Sensei Florin Caba for 4th Dan and Shihan Anca Wallmen and Shihan Sorin Stoia for their 6th Dan.
