In days 25-26 May 2013 year, Central Sport Complex (CSC) of Vitebsk - Belarus hosted the 4^th European Open OYAMA Karate Championships for Juniors and Seniors in: Knockdown, Semi-knockdown and Kata. The organizer  of this event, was The OYAMA Karate Organization of Belarus with Sensei Igor Yurkevich 3^rd Dan. City of Vitebsk and its officials took patronage over the Championships. Thirteen different organizations from 8 countries including : Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Azerbaijan and Poland were represented at the tournament. European Championships gathered over 320 competitors.

During the opening ceremony, Hanshi Jan Dyduch 8^th Dan presented his gratitude on Mr Viktor Shchuko's  hands. City and region officials especially the Department of physical culture, sport and tourism of the Vitebsk oblast Executive Committee took patronage and supported the championships. Hanshi expressed his gratitude for Sensei Igor Yurkevich 3^rd Dan and Sensei Mikhail Rovkach 1^st dan for organizing the tournament. Hanshi Jan Dyduch also handed the OYAMA IKF certificates for Country Representatives and  Branch Chiefs as well as the belts and diplomas for the promotion test that was conducted during the 15^th International Seminar with Soshu Shigeru Oyama 10^th Dan in Krakow 2012.

The main referee of the tournament was Sensei Igor Yurkevich 3^rd Dan (Belarus). The referee leading the Kata and Kobudo was Shihan Pawel Pajdak 5^th dan (Poland). During the absence of Sensei Andrzej Tomiałowicz 4^th dan (Germany), The European Championships in Knockdown and Semi-knockdown were overseen personally by Sensei Yurkevich.

Iwona Strek (Poland) won a gold medal in Kata. photo: Radosław Dyduch

Saturday morning started with kata and kobudo presentations on two tatami. Same day afternoon was occupied by prestigious and elite knockdown tournament. Sunday was reserved for European Championships for Juniors in Semi-knockdown.

  

Junior fights were tough and very even, photo: Radosław Dyduch

According to expectations, European Championships in Kata and Kobudo were dominated by Polish competitors and in kumite (Knockdown and Semi-knockdown for juniors ) most medals went to representatives from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

 

 
Sunday evening, after the end of the European Championships there was a meeting of the members of OYAMA IKF lead by Hanshi Jan Dyduch 8 dan. During the council, members agree on the dates of future tournaments. Next European Championships will be organized in Kiev - 2015 (Ukraine ). The World Knockdown Cup in Saint Petersburg - 2017 (Russia). According to these agreements few new sports regulations were updated. Members agreed on the calendar and program of schooling seminars in Poland and Russia up to 2015.