: +919475669045 : support@aikka.org

Soshi Kazuyuki Hasegawa

About

Kazuyuki Hasegawa

THE LIVING LEGEND OF KYOKUSHIN

Kazuyuki Hasegawa is a prominent figure in the world of karate, with a career spanning several decades. He is a 9th Dan black belt in Zenkyokushin Karate and holds the position of president of the Kyokushin Kaikan Branch Heads Association. Hasegawa’s journey in martial arts began with judo before he shifted his focus to Kyokushin karate under the tutelage of the legendary Masutatsu Oyama. He is known for his competitive success, including winning the 2nd All Japan Karatedo Championship, and for his dedication to teaching and preserving the art of Kyokushin karate.

Early Life and Training

The largest selection fitness articles exercises workouts, supplements, & community to help you reach your goals!

Born on August 28, 1948, in Itano-cho, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, Kazuyuki Hasegawa’s martial arts path started in high school. Since his school lacked a karate or kenpo club, he joined the judo club and earned a 2nd Dan from the Kodokan. After moving to Tokyo, he dropped out of Tokyo University of Science and, on August 28, 1967, joined the Kyokushin Kaikan Hombu Dojo, where he became a student of Masutatsu Oyama. Despite being 165 cm tall, he found inspiration in the smaller but formidable karateka, Noboru Osawa.

Competitive Career and Notable Achievements

The largest selection fitness articles exercises workouts, supplements, & community to help you reach your goals!

Hasegawa’s martial arts journey began in high school, where he earned a 2nd Dan in judo from the Kodokan. He transitioned to Kyokushin karate upon joining the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo on August 28, 1967, becoming a direct student of Mas Oyama.

His competitive career took off quickly. After earning his 1st Dan black belt in 1969, he took 3rd place at the inaugural 1st All Japan Karatedo Championships. His defining moment came the following year at the 2nd All Japan Championship in 1970, where he defeated formidable opponents like Katsuaki Sato, Terutomo Yamazaki, and Giji Soeno to claim his first and only championship title.

This victory was so impactful that it directly led to a change in the competition rules. Hasegawa’s winning techniques, which involved “getting entangled and stopping the lower straight fist” and “rolling down and deciding lower punch,” were highly effective but brought into question what constituted a “clean” victory. The rules were subsequently amended to prioritize techniques with a “smooth flow,” forever changing the dynamics of Kyokushin kumite.

Post-Competition and Leadership

The largest selection fitness articles exercises workouts, supplements, & community to help you reach your goals!

After his championship win in 1970, Hasegawa retired from competition and returned to Tokushima Prefecture, where he established the Kyokushinkaikan Tokushima branch. In 1978, he also became the head of the branch in Aichi Prefecture.

His leadership roles in the karate community grew over time.

v 2001: He became the chairman of the Kyokushin Federation, formed with Daigo Oishi and Yasuhiro Kuwashima.

 

v 2012: He withdrew from the All Japan Kyokushin Federation to establish the International Karatedo Federation Kyokushin Kaikan Sekai Sokyokushin with Daigo Oishi, serving as its representative.

 

v 2019: He founded the International Karatedo Federation Kyokushin Kaikan Sekai Zenkyokushin and became its general manager after withdrawing from Sekai Sokyokushin. In September of the same year, he established the Kyokushin Kaikan Branch Masters Association.

  •  

The "Little Giant"

The largest selection fitness articles exercises workouts, supplements, & community to help you reach your goals!

At just 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall, Kazuyuki Hasegawa earned the nickname “The Little Giant” from Kyokushin founder Sosai Mas Oyama. This moniker was a testament to his fighting prowess, which allowed him to consistently overcome opponents of much larger size. His style was characterized by a potent combination of footsweeps, powerful body kicks, and precise follow-up punches, which he utilized with strategic intelligence and lightning speed.

Legacy and Contributions to Kyokushin Karate

The largest selection fitness articles exercises workouts, supplements, & community to help you reach your goals!

Kazuyuki Hasegawa’s legacy extends far beyond his competitive career. He is a highly respected and influential figure in the Kyokushin world, known for his dedication to upholding the principles of the art as taught by Mas Oyama.

v Pioneering a New Era of Competition: Hasegawa’s victory at the 1970 All Japan Championship directly influenced the evolution of Kyokushin kumite (sparring) rules. By showcasing the effectiveness of techniques that were technically sound but lacked a “smooth flow,” he prompted a re-evaluation of the scoring system, ensuring that the essence of a clean, powerful, and decisive technique remained central to the sport.

v A Dedication to Teaching: After his competitive retirement in 1970, Hasegawa returned to his hometown and established the Kyokushinkaikan Tokushima branch. His focus shifted to teaching, and he has since trained numerous champions, including the five-time All Japan Champion and two-time World Champion, Takuma Kouketsu. His teachings emphasize the fundamental techniques and philosophies of Mas Oyama.

v Organizational Leadership: Hasegawa has been at the forefront of various Kyokushin organizations, serving as a leader dedicated to preserving the integrity of the style. He co-founded the Kyokushin Federation in 2001 and later the International Karatedo Federation Kyokushin Kaikan Sekai Sokyokushin in 2012. In a move to further uphold the original principles of Kyokushin, he established the International Karatedo Federation Kyokushin Kaikan Sekai Zenkyokushin in 2019, along with the Kyokushin Kaikan Branch Masters Association, which is comprised of branch chiefs directly authorized by Mas Oyama during his lifetime.

v Cultural Recognition: In 1999, he received the Social and Cultural Achievement Award from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Culture, a remarkable achievement as it was the first time a karate practitioner had been given this honor. This award is a testament to his impact not only on the world of martial arts but also on Japanese society.

Some Glimpses of Soshi Hasegawa