Ukraine Training Seminars were conducted in 3 Ukraine cities for the first week of June 2023, organized by IKO Ukraine Branch Chief Shihan Stanislav Bliznyuk. Shihan Katsuhito Gorai, IKO International Department Director, visited Ukraine and led all training sessions.

Despite the ongoing war, travel restrictions and curfews, Shihan Gorai's humanitarian visit attracted students from around the country to the three key Ukrainian cities where IKO seminars were scheduled.

To enter Ukraine, Shihan traveled from Poland by night train, 11 hours to the capital, Kyiv, where he met with Ukraine Minster of Youth and Sports Mr. Vadym Gutzeit. After the meeting, Shihan was escorted by car 8 hours, to the eastern city of Dnipro, where the first training session was held.

At the onset of the war, Dnipro developed as a logistical hub for humanitarian aid and a reception point for people fleeing the various battle fronts. As a result, areas of Dnipro were among some of the hardest hit by Russian airstrikes. Remains of hospitals, community centers and buildings where our local IKO Dojos were housed, stand skeletal.

The 1st IKO Ukraine Training Seminar in Dnipro was organized by IKO Ukraine Branch Chief Sensei Zaur Mamedov and was attended by over 220 IKO Ukraine members of all ages. Dnipro Vice-Governor opened the seminar with encouraging remarks for the IKO Ukrainian members in attendance, noting the vital importance of sports education and camaraderie for children and youths, particularly in the worst of times.

After a night train to Odesa on the Black Sea, Shihan Gorai conducted the 2nd IKO Ukraine Training Seminar for over 120 IKO Ukraine members of all ages, in a local university gym. Odesa is the third largest city in Ukraine and houses some of the nation's most revered cultural institutions. Areas of the city sustained heavy missile fire but is now secured by Ukrainian Forces.

Another night train brought the entourage back to Kyiv, where on June 3rd, the 3rd IKO Ukraine Training Seminar was held at the Kyiv Main Dojo with over 150 members in attendance.

Shihan Gorai had the opportunity to visit Ukraine nearly a dozen times in the past 25yrs. During this trip in 2023, Shihan was escorted to sites across the nation that retain painful and brutal memories, most notably, to the site of the Bucha massacre outside of Kyiv. At the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine, in Kyiv, Shihan and IKO Ukraine officials paid their respects and took a moment of silence to memorialize the thousands of lives lost.

The purpose of this 2360km / 3800km journey to Ukraine in 2023, was foremost to support our IKO Ukrainian members who have been insulated in their country during this difficult time. It was a rare opportunity to bring hope and inspiration to our IKO membership, and witness the enduring spirit, strength, and perseverance of the Ukrainian people.

Osu!