Waterpoort Cup 2009

Waterpoort Cup 2009

Waterpoort Cup 2009: Successful Kyokushin Tournament with many countries and organizations participating

Nearly 230 karatekas from 11 different European countries gathered in Sneek, The Netherlands to participate in the 8th edition of the Waterpoort Cup on Saturday October 17th 2009. Qualified refereeing, spectacular tamashiwari demonstrations and high level Kyokushin bouts were the main tournament ingredients.

 The tournament was organized by the Activity Foundation and the tournament’s objective was to promote international fair play sports exchange and increase of international communication between the participating dojos. Moreover than 30 dojos deriving from different Kyokushin factions (i.e. Kyokushin Rengokai, IKO1, WKO, IBK) from the following countries participated:

• Lithuania
• Denmark
• Ukraine
• Sweden
• Poland
• Switzerland
• France
• Hungary
• Great Britain
• Germany
• Holland

A little more than 40 volunteers and nearly 60 sponsors (including the Muncipality of Sneek) helped out to make the tournament possible.

The first teams arrived on Thursday October 15th and most teams were accommodated in various hotels in the city of Sneek. A large part of the other teams were accommodated in the dojo of Sportclub F en F The Inner Way. Some teams traveled many km’s and many hours to participate in the Waterpoort Cup. 

The opening of the tournament on Saturday October 17th was hosted by the Alderman of Sport Affairs Mr. Tom Metz. In his opening speech he claimed that the Waterpoort Cup is one of the main sportive events in city of Sneek and is unique in its objective and implementation.

In total 170 karateka’s under the age of 18 participated in 31 different poules in the divisions Kids 8-11 years), Cadets (12-15 years, and Juniors (16-17 years). You could see a nice built up in technique, stamina and kime during the progress of the poules. Especially in the junior categories there were some beautiful fights. One of the main characteristics of the Waterpoort Cup is the fact that the karatekas in the kids, cadets and junior divisions fought their bouts in a poule system. This differs from the ‘normal’ Kyokushin elimination system. During the Waterpoort Cup the junior participants are given more chances of gaining (international) kumite experience because they can play at least 2 or three bouts.

In the senior tournament nearly 55 karatekas participated in five weight categories. Especially the men’s lightweight and men’s heavy weight division were fully packed. One of the nicest, highly skilled fights of the tournament was the women’s lightweight final between Julita Burczynska from Poland and Nathaliya Mutina from Ukraine.

The overall feel of the tournament - with 375 fights -, was that it was strictly about sports, no politics involved, just nice and highly skilled fights in good and friendly atmosphere. This year we were extra pleased of welcoming new teams from Ukraine and France with many good fighters.