All Eyes in the Karate World Turns to Davao as Historic International Gathering Opens

August 27, 2026 | Davao City, Philippines — All eyes in the international karate community turn to Davao City today, August 27, as the 3rd JKA Philippines International Gasshuku & Karate-Do Championship 2026 officially opens at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), bringing together distinguished Japanese masters, black belts, athletes, instructors, officials and international delegations for four days of elite training and competition.

The historic gathering, running from August 27 to 30, places Davao City at the center of the traditional Shotokan karate world as the Philippines welcomes leading personalities from the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Headquarters in Tokyo and representatives from different parts of the world.

Adding prestige to the international occasion, Consul General of Japan in Davao ONO Hirotaka is expected to attend the event.

Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go are likewise expected to grace the occasion, according to JKA Philippines Chief Executive Officer Emeliano P. Murillo.

Their presence highlights the international gathering as both a major sporting event and a celebration of friendship, discipline, youth development, and the long-standing relationship between the Philippines and Japan.

JAPAN SENDS DISTINGUISHED JKA MASTERS TO DAVAO

Highlighting the international stature of the event is the arrival of a high-level delegation from Japan led by some of the most respected personalities in the Japan Karate Association.

Among them is Koichiro Okuma, Shihan, 7th Dan JKA Master and Chief of the JKA Foreign Affairs Division, who represents the international leadership and worldwide network of the organization.

Joining him is internationally renowned Tatsuya Naka, Shihan, 7th Dan JKA Master, senior instructor and examiner, whose technical mastery and influence have made him one of the most recognized personalities in traditional Shotokan karate.

Completing the distinguished instructional team is Koji Chubachi, Sensei, 6th Dan and JKA instructor, an accomplished international competitor and former Funakoshi Gichin Cup World Karate-Do Championship Kumite champion.

Their presence in Davao gives Filipino and international karate practitioners a rare opportunity to train directly under instructors representing the highest traditions and technical standards of JKA karate.

The gathering of numerous karate black belts, senior instructors and international competitors under one roof is expected to make the 2026 Davao event one of the most impressive assemblies of traditional Shotokan practitioners staged in the Philippines.

FULL PUBLIC-SAFETY TASK FORCE IN PLACE

With the arrival of international delegates, Japanese masters, athletes, government personalities and guests, organizers have also placed major emphasis on security and public safety.

A full public-safety and security task force is in place for the four-day international gathering, according to Rodeno L. Dilag, Chairman of the event's Committee on Public Safety.

Dilag is working with the organizing team to ensure that security, emergency preparedness, crowd management and related safety requirements are coordinated throughout the international event.

According to JKA Philippines Chairman Gilieto A. Luaque, Shihan Dilag brings extensive expertise in public safety and investigation, providing the event with professional leadership in an area considered essential given the scale and international character of the gathering.

The heightened preparedness comes as Davao welcomes visiting delegations and distinguished guests from Japan and other parts of the world.

USeP OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE INTERNATIONAL KARATE COMMUNITY

The University of Southeastern Philippines has extended its full support to the international karate community by hosting the four-day championship and Gasshuku.

The university becomes the meeting ground where generations of karate practitioners—from developing students to accomplished black belts and international masters—come together for intensive instruction in kihon, kata and kumite, Dan and qualification examinations, and international tournament competition.

The event begins with advanced technical training and examinations, followed by Gasshuku sessions before moving into tournament eliminations and the championship finals.

For JKA Philippines, the event represents far more than determining champions.

It is an opportunity to preserve the traditions of Karate-Do, develop the next generation of practitioners, strengthen international friendships and demonstrate the values of discipline, respect, humility, courage and continuous self-improvement.

DAVAO BECOMES A CENTER OF THE KARATE WORLD

The staging of the 3rd JKA Philippines International Gasshuku & Karate-Do Championship comes during the 2026 Philippines-Japan Friendship Year, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Against this historic backdrop, the arrival of Japanese karate masters and international delegations gives the gathering an even deeper meaning—connecting sport, culture and generations of friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

As competitors, black belts, instructors and dignitaries assemble at USeP, the message from Davao is unmistakable:

For the next four days, the Philippines is not merely hosting an international karate tournament. Davao City becomes one of the centers of the traditional karate world.

All eyes in Karate are on Davao.

OSS!