International Shito-ryu Karate seminar & European Federation establishment in Belgium – December 2025
An international Karate seminar under the auspices of the World Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation (WSKF), was held with great success in Belgium on December 6 & 7, 2025. The seminar was conducted by Soke Kenyu Mabuni (WSKF Governor), Kaicho Genzo Iwata (WSKF President), Hanshi Shoko Sato (WSKF Vice President) & Kyoshi Allen Tanzadeh (WSKF Vice President).
In addition to the seminar, on Friday, December 5, examinations were held for grades from 3rd to 7th Dan and for instructor level Jokyo, Jun-Shihan and Shihan.
350 Karatekas from all over Europe (even Canada, Ivory Coast and Algeria) were present to take advantage of the unique opportunity to be trained by these four exceptional teachers.
On Saturday, December 6, a Congress was convened with the aim of establishing the European Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation (ESKF) and defining its organizational structure. A historic moment with the presence of many WSKF representatives from all over Europe.
The Technical Manager of the club, George Pelekis, also participated in this pivotal seminar and meeting as a representative of the World Shito-ryu Federation in Greece and President of Greek Shito-ryu Karate-do Organization / Shitokai Greece.
The training sessions were long and very interesting as technical details were taught as well as kata such as Tomari no Bassai, Bassai Sho, Ishimine no Bassai, Naifanchin Shodan, Nidan and Sandan, as well as reminders on basic principles such as the power that comes from the connection with the ground and the movement of the hips.
During the event, Soke Mabuni also invited George Pelekis to help him in teaching οf the kata Shiho Kosokun and Kosokun Dai, to a group of advanced athletes, under his supervision, a great honor for the representative of Greece.
Of great importance, however, was the conference held on the afternoon of Saturday, December 6, which emphasized the importance of establishing a European Federation with the aim of promoting, supporting and unifying practitioners of the system in Europe.
Each country representative had the opportunity to introduce themselves and explain the motivation that led their country to become a member of the ESKF, while they shared their expectations regarding the development of the European Federation as well as future initiatives.
Then, the structure proposed by the leaders of the World Shito-ryu Federation to frame the European Shito-ryu Federation (ESKF) as a starting point was announced by Allen Tanzadeh, Vice President of the World Shito-ryu Federation.
Of course, George Pelekis also participated in this event as the official representative of World Federation in Greece and President of Shitokai Greece together with the General Secretary of the organization Despina Kokalidi, who with joy and great honor heard his name among the members of the Executive Committee of the newly founded Federation, an important event both for him and for the club which became a member of the new Shito-ryu family that encompasses Europe.
And of course, on Saturday evening, the established official dinner was held, which gave the opportunity to many new friends to relax and have fun, further strengthening the friendly bonds that have Karate as a common denominator.
Finally, many congratulations are due to Shitokai Belgium for the impeccable organization of the event, as well as to its President, Sensei Thierry Van Binst.
