The Soke Takeshi Cup 2026 – Sri Lanka is set to be a landmark international karate championship conducted under the banner of Nihon Shotokan Karate-Do SANKUKAI. This prestigious event brings together karate practitioners across age groups and belt levels to celebrate the true spirit of Budo — discipline, respect, friendship, and excellence.
Championship will be hosted at the Albert F. Peiris Indoor Stadium, Wennappuwa, Sri Lanka, and organized by SANKUKAI Sri Lanka under the leadership of Sensei R. Deva Kumar, So Honbu Cho. The event carries special importance as it features the physical presence and seminar of Soke Takeshi Kitagawa, offering participants a rare opportunity to learn directly from a globally respected karate master.
Event Highlights
The championship is designed as an International Open Karate Championship, welcoming eligible karateka from different regions and dojos. Beyond competition, the event emphasizes:
Traditional Shotokan values
Technical excellence in Kata and Kumite
International Budo friendship
Cultural and martial exchange
Direct guidance from top SANKUKAI leadership
Messages published in the brochure from senior authorities highlight that the purpose of the tournament is not only medals and rankings, but character building and preservation of authentic karate spirit.
Date, Time & Venue
Date: 1st April 2026
Reporting Time: 7:45 AM
Tournament Start: 8:00 AM
Venue: Albert F. Peiris Indoor Stadium, Wennappuwa, Sri Lanka
The organizers extend a formal invitation to Sensei, Shihan, Kyoshi, Hanshi, and dojo heads to participate with their students and support the international karate community gathering.
Categories & Divisions
The competition structure includes both Colour Belt and Black Belt categories, ensuring fair division by age and weight classes.
Age Divisions include:
Kiddies
Sub-Junior
Cadet
Junior
Senior
Events include:
Individual Kata
Kumite with multiple weight categories
Structured match formats (Kata & Kumite rounds defined by contestant count)
This layered category system allows broad participation while maintaining competitive balance and safety standards.
Participation Fee
Entry Fee: 3500 LKR
Participants are advised to coordinate registration and eligibility confirmation through the official organizer contact provided by SANKUKAI Sri Lanka.
Travel & Local Attractions
Wennappuwa’s location also offers visiting teams and families access to nearby beaches, temples, lagoons, and Colombo city attractions, making the championship a combined martial arts and cultural experience for international participants.
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