Nordic Open Kyokushin 2026 – A Celebration of Spirit, Discipline, and International Karate in Stenungsund

The Nordic Open Kyokushin 2026 once again confirmed its position as one of Northern Europe’s most important Kyokushin karate events. Held in Stenungsund, Sweden, the tournament brought together competitors, coaches, referees, and supporters from across the Nordic region and beyond for a weekend defined by high-level competition, mutual respect, and the indomitable Kyokushin spirit.

Organized by Stora Höga Kyokushin, with Cathrine Ballay as the competition manager and Niklas Ballay was the chief judge. This is the thirteenth time the competition Nordic Open is held featuring both kumite and kata, welcoming children, juniors, seniors, and veterans. The event was not only a test of physical strength and technique, but also a powerful demonstration of discipline, humility, and camaraderie—core values deeply rooted in Kyokushin karate.

A Well-Organized Tournament with Strong Leadership

From the first bow to the final awards ceremony, Nordic Open 2026 stood out for its professional organization and smooth execution. Schedules were kept, matches flowed efficiently, and both competitors and spectators experienced a well-structured event.

Among the official visitors was Sadik Sadik, President Of the Swedish Karate Federation, who attended the event in person and took time to engage with organizers, officials, and athletes.

“During the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Nordic Open in Stenungsund, organized by Niklas Ballay and Stora Höga Kyokushin. I truly appreciated the rewarding and pleasant conversations with both Niklas Ballay and Fredrik Grankvist, who is also the chairman of our Kyokushin Committee. I would also like to thank all leaders and referees who took the time to speak with me during the day. It was great to hear your ideas and perspectives,” Sadik Sadik said.

He continued by praising the quality of the event:

“The competition was very well organized and offered many great matches. A big thank you to Niklas Ballay and Stora Höga Kyokushin for a well-executed event—keep up the great work you are doing. See you again soon!”

Sadik Sadik also encouraged the community to take part in the shared video highlights from the tournament, further underlining the importance of visibility and unity within the Kyokushin family.

Kyokushinkai Lund – Strong Participation and Outstanding Results

One of the clubs that made a significant impact at Nordic Open 2026 was Kyokushinkai Lund, which entered the competition with several athletes across kata and kumite.

Ahead of the tournament, head coach José Diaz López shared his thoughts:

“Nordic Open will take place this weekend. From our club, we will have several competitors, and we wish them all the best of luck.”

Kyokushinkai Lund competitors

Friday – Kata

• Jonas El Obeidi

• Paayas Dhancholia

Saturday – Kumite

• Muhammad Hasnain Gill

• Anid Begdeli

• Artin Begdeli

• Patrick Smith

• Gabriel Puschmann

• Mariia Kuzmenko

• Muhammad Junaid Gill

The results spoke for themselves. After the tournament, the club proudly summarized their performance:

“Not the size of the team, but the strength of the spirit. Nordic Open 2026 results: three gold, two silver, and one bronze. Proud of every fight, every round, every bow. OSU!”

Their achievements exemplified Kyokushin’s philosophy—mental resilience and fighting spirit matter as much as numbers.

Banzai Karate Kai – Commitment Across Kata and Kumite

Banzai Karate Kai once again treated Nordic Open as a cornerstone of its competitive calendar. The club emphasized the importance of the event not only for athletes, but also for referees, coaches, and supporters.

“Nordic Open 2026 is an international Kyokushin tournament in kumite and kata for children, youth, seniors, and veterans. For Banzai Karate Kai, Nordic Open is a natural part of our competition activities and something we prioritize every year.”

Banzai Karate Kai competitors

Kata

• Elvira Almqvist Beso

• Amanda Gyllentall

• Malin Persson

• Yasmina Strömberg

• Ella Alagic

• Therese Eriksson

• Philip Sapcanin

Kumite

• Emanuel Thordenberg

• Olle Johansson De Flon

• Kamran Aihaimaiti

• Ammar Alsaadi

With athletes, referees, and supporters all present, Banzai Karate Kai contributed to the strong sense of community that defined the weekend.

Örebro Kyokushin Karate / Budohuset – Kata Excellence

Another highlight came from Örebro Kyokushin Karate at Budohuset, where kata performances reached an exceptional level.

A special mention went to Gunilla Kanrell, whose student delivered a standout performance.

“What a perfect hit and what a performance! Congratulations to Julia for first place at Nordic Open. With praise from the judges and flawless kata, it was gold!”

The performance underlined the high technical standard of kata competition at Nordic Open 2026.

Brynäs Kyokushin Karate – Every Fighter on the Podium

Brynäs Kyokushin Karate began their competition season in spectacular fashion at Nordic Open 2026.

“Competition season has started—first tournament of the year completed. Our competitors fought hard and did their best on the mat. All fighters placed on the podium and brought home a trophy.”

Brynäs Kyokushin Karate – Results

Kumite

• Gold: Mahdi, Eleah, Kavi, Andrei, Elise, Felix, Mirhat

• Silver: Filiph L, Filip A, Erwin, Elin, Elina

• Bronze: Signe, Lukas

Kata

• Bronze: Sandra

The club also extended thanks to coaches, referees, parents, and supporters, emphasizing that success in Kyokushin is always a collective effort.

More Than a Tournament

Beyond medals and rankings, Nordic Open Kyokushin 2026 was a reminder of what Kyokushin truly represents. Every bow, every handshake, and every exchange between fighters reinforced the values of respect and perseverance.

With live streams, social media coverage, and shared video highlights, the event reached far beyond the walls of the arena in Stenungsund, inspiring practitioners across the region.

As the echoes of OSU! faded and competitors returned to their dojos, one thing was clear: Nordic Open Kyokushin 2026 was not just a competition—it was a celebration of spirit, unity, and the enduring strength of Kyokushin karate.