The “Sabaki Challenge Spirit – World Championship” is the premier tournament karate event for Knock-Down Karate worldwide. The purpose is to have the annual opportunity to assemble the most exquisite fighters in the world from Ashihara Karate. To test themselves, the principles, and the theories inherent in Ashihara training so as to have the ability to test, reevaluate, and improve themselves and Ashihara Karate as a whole.
Physically, the fighters must test their stamina, speed, power, accuracy, technique, and most importantly their “Sabaki.” “Sabaki” refers to the positioning of ones’ self to the side or back of the opponent. This provides the most rational place for manipulating the opponents’ balance and counterattacking from.
This is the essence or pinnacle of what we who follow the spirit of the 1st Kancho Hideyuki Ashihara wish to attain in practical self-defence situation.
More importantly, however, mentally and emotionally the fighters must test their will to persevere, sportsmanship, and self discipline.
The Sabaki Challenge Spirit – World Championship serves for its entrants the ultimate arena in which to challenge these precepts.