The 2nd European Open Category Championships were held in Wroclaw, Poland on the 23rd of November 2002. Altogether 71 competitors from 13 countries, including 20 medallists of World and European Championships took part in the event. The following countries participated: Armenia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Holland, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, Yugoslavia.

     The tournament was played in the new built Sports Hall "Orbita" and gathered 2800 spectators. EKKO President Antonio Pinero and General Secretary Andre Drewniak together with representative of Polish Ministry of National Defence officially opened the championships.

     Winner of the Men Open Category became the actual Superheavy Weight European Champion (Varna) - Tomasz Najduch from Poland. Winner of the Women Open Category became Agnieszka Sypien from Poland. In kata: the former European Champion from Spain - Javier Lezkano and actual World Champion Raluca Jianu from Romania confirmed their leadership again.

     Main judge was EKKO President shihan Antonio Pinero.

     On May 15th the 18th European Weight Category Championships was held in Riesa (Germany). Tournament gathered more than 120 fighters from 21 countries.  There ware more then 800 spectators. Main judge was shihan Antonio Pinero.
During the opening ceremony shihan L. Hollander as IKO representative handed dan certificates and belts to the following karateka: 7 dan for shihan Joe Claronino from UK, 7 dan for shihan Andre Drewniak from Poland, 7 dan for shihan Peter Voogt from Holland, 6 dan for shihan Ton von Rijn from Holland.
On May 14th during General Meeting a new EKKO board was voted:
   President - Antonio Pinero from Spain,
   Vice - president - Ton von Rijn from Holland,
   General Secretary - Andre Drewniak from Poland,
   Treasurer - Christoph Fischer from Germany
Organiser of European Championships was GKKO led by Sensei Christoph Fischer.

Best fighter: Piotr Moczydłowski (Poland)
Best women fighter Anna Kopyrina (Russia)
Men Best Tameshiwari result: Gogonel Lucjan (Romania) - 17 boards
Women Best Tameshiwari result: Anna Kopyrina (Russia) - 9 boards

Official Results & gallery

     Over the weekend of July 10 to 14, the West European Summer Camp 2002 was held at the National Sport Center, Arnhem, Holland. Nearly two hundred Kyokushin students from all over western europe attended this event which was organized by International Committee Member Shihan Loek Hollander and assisted by Shihan Van Rijn.

     The seminar was also strongly supported by Branch Chiefs and Instructors from Holland and by visiting international Instructors, Shihan Drewniak from Poland and Shihan Wakiuchi from Italy.

     The Seminar conducted extensive basics through advanced techniques and included a much-anticipated Tameshiwari clinic. At the end of the camp a promotion test was conducted for nearly fifty people that included Kumite for all levels. At the conclusion, Shihan Loek presented all participants with a certificate and souvenir to commemorate their attendance and great weekend of training at the camp.

                                                                                     Kyokushin News Vol.24.

     The annual East European Summer School was held in Krakow, Poland the week of July 24-28. Approximately two hundred participants took part in the event that is conducted annually by Shihan Andre Drewniak and invited Instructors from around the world.

     Shihan Katsuhito Gorai and Sensei Ryu Narushima of IKO Honbu were guest Instructors for this years event that covered Kihon, Ido Geiko, Kata and Kumite strategy for all levels. Shihan Drewniak hosted a promotion test on the last day of the camp and over forty students challenged for their new grade. The event finished with a Sayonara party where students performed music and comedic skits to entertain the Instructors.

     Shihan Drewniak congratulated the students and thanked Instructors for their attendance, then encouraged all Polish fighters to train hard for the 4th Womens World and the 8th World Open Karate Championships in 2003.

                                                                                        Kyokushin News Vol.24.