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IUKF Organization Announcement Effective January 1, 2026

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IUKF Organization Announcement Effective January 1, 2026

The International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation (IUKF) announces an important leadership transition within our organization.

After dedicated service as President, Darin Yee has stepped down from his role. Darin shared:

“Serving the IUKF has been a great honor. I have held this position since 2018, and I am grateful to all of you who have supported, assisted, and encouraged me. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and appreciative of the support and commitment shown by the membership throughout my tenure. My special thanks to Grandmaster George Mattson for his mentoring and advice over the years.

As I conclude my tenure as President of the IUKF, I am pleased to introduce our new President, Justin Testa. Justin is an accomplished martial artist who brings strong leadership, experience, and a deep commitment to the values and development of Uechi-Ryu karate. I am confident that under Justin’s guidance, the IUKF will continue to grow, strengthen its international community, and uphold the standards our members expect. Please join me in offering Justin your full support as he assumes this role. I wish him every success and look forward to seeing the IUKF continue to progress under new leadership”.

In accepting the role, Justin Testa shared:

“Join me in expressing our sincere gratitude to Darin for his time, commitment, and contributions to the IUKF. His leadership, guidance, and efforts have played a meaningful role in supporting the IUKF’s growth, and we thank him for his many years of service to our members and the broader Uechi-Ryu community.

I am honored to serve as President of the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation. I look forward to working with our dojos, members, and leadership to support the organization’s continued growth while honoring the traditions and values that define Uechi-Ryu Karate. Together, we will continue moving the IUKF forward in a positive and unified direction.”

The IUKF remains committed to its mission to promote Uechi-Ryu Karate, foster international cooperation, and support practitioners at all levels. We look forward to this next chapter and appreciate the continued support of our membership during this transition.

Happy New Year.

Kristin Amirault 7° Dan

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Kristin Amirault 7° Dan

2nd IUKF International Uechi Ryu Karate Seminar took place in Brasilia

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2nd IUKF International Uechi Ryu Karate Seminar took place in Brasilia

On October 10th, 11th, and 12th, 2025, the 2nd IUKF International Uechi Ryu Karate Seminar took place in Brasília, DF, Brazil. The seminar was led by IUKF President Darin Yee Sensei, 10th Dan, Hanshi Sai, and organized by the Uechi Ryu Kanshukai Brazil Institute (IUKB), whose president is also the IUKF representative in Brazil, Luiz Monteiro Sensei. In an atmosphere of deep cordiality, respect, and deep interaction, several dojos from different Uechi Ryu organizations, in addition to the Kanshukai, participated. With a spirit of togetherness and profound humility, Darin Sensei imparted his martial wisdom and captivated everyone from the oldest practitioners in Brazil to the newest black belts.

Darin Sensei’s deep knowledge of Uechi Ryu and other martial arts allowed him to share techniques and applications, grounded in reality, and share the fundamental concept of Uechi Ryu. In addition, IUKF certificates were presented to kanshukai members who had not yet been recognized: Sensei José Vieira Rokudan-Renshi, Sensei Kemes Rokudan-Shihan, Sensei Paulo Sérgio Rokudan-Renshi, Sensei Rogério Godan-Shihan, Sensei Cleuber-Yondan, Sensei Wanderlan-Nidan, Sensei Rosemeire Cristina-Nidan, Sensei Ana Julia-Shodan, Sensei Henrique-Shodan. Sensei Weslei Almeida received the Nanandan Promotion Certificate, as well as his Kyoshi Title.

It was a wonderful celebration filled with learning, which strengthened the bonds of friendship within the IUKF family. The following sensei and their respective dojos participated in this seminar:

1. Sensei Luiz Monteiro – IUKB President and IUKF representative in Brazil
2. Sensei Wesley Almeida – IUKB Master Counselor
3. Sensei José Vieira – IUKB Master Counselor and President of FKEO
4. Sensei Paulo Monteiro – IUKB Master Counselor and IUKF vice-representative in Brazil
5. Sensei Rogério – Templários Dojo – Brasília
6. Sensei Ana Júlia – Templários Dojo – Brasília
7. Sensei Paulo Sérgio – Michi Dojo – Brasília
8. Sensei Rodolfo – Rurou Dojo – Valparaíso de Goiás
9. Sensei Rosemeire Cristina de Oliveira Costa – Michi Dojo – Brasília
10. Sensei Manoel – Manoel Dojo Academy – Brasília/DF
11. Sensei André Tavares – Kanyeekai Uechi System.
12. Sensei Hilton Jansen, União Academy – Brasília, DF
13. Sensei Melo – Okinawa Dojo, Guará, DF
14. Anna and Guy Grebot – Grebot Dojo (DF)
15. Sensei Cleuber Mesquita – CPMG Dojo – Aparecida de Goiânia, GO
16. Sensei Kemes Ferreira – NATSU KAW Academy, Aparecida de Goiânia, GO
17. Sensei Wanderlan Leite – Bravus Karate Dojo – Cruzeiro Novo, DF
18. Sensei Julio Cesar Rodrigues de Almeida – Michi Dojo – Brasília
19. Sensei Luiz Antônio – Nihon Academy
20. Sensei Gel – Desponta Gel Bahiano Association

2nd Uechi-ryu Euroworkout of the IUKF

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2nd Uechi-ryu Euroworkout of the IUKF

From 19 to 21 September, the Uechi-ryu karate  of RT Regensburg and TSV Adlersberg hosted the 2nd Uechi-ryu Euroworkout of the IUKF (International Uechi-ryu Karate-do Federation). Paul Kronschnabl was able to attract an exceptionally high-ranking panel of teachers: IUKF President Darin Yee (10th Dan, USA), the Chairman of IUKF Canada Jim Maloney (10th Dan), Al Wharton (10th Dan, Bermuda/UK) and Bruce Hirabayashi (8th Dan, USA).

On Friday 19th September, 9 karateka from Regensburg/Pettendorf took the demanding examinations from 1st to 4th Dan under the eyes of the above-mentioned examiners. The examination committee particularly emphasised the high level of performance of all candidates and congratulated Paul Kronschnabl on the excellent examination results.

The new Dan holders are: Thomas Müller (4th Dan), Peter Kronschnabl (3rd Dan), Volker Kösztner (3rd Dan), Anton Gareis (3rd Dan), Jürgen Donhauser (3rd Dan), Assad Ghorab (2nd Dan), Manuela Beiel (1st Dan), Markus Keidler (1st Dan), Raphael Neudert (1st Dan).

On Saturday and Sunday, Uechi-ryu Regensburg welcomed guests from Great Britain, Canada, the USA, Italy and other German dojos to the seminar in the RT hall. Techniques were refined intensively and with great vigour and applications were practised in real combat situations.

In addition to the martial arts, the weather was also perfect for personal dialogue between the participants, in keeping with the spirit of an event that aims to bring together karateka from all over Europe (and beyond). Paul Kronschnabl was completely satisfied at the end of the successful event.

Cruise after WinterFest 2026

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Cruise after WinterFest 2026

Hello,

I apologize for the delay in informing anyone interested about the upcoming cruise, which will follow immediately after WinterFest.  There were other suggestions and requests made, so I tried my best to visit all the cruise sites and other vacation sites to see what I could find and held off to hear from others.

So, with no other conclusions, and after speaking with many other people coming from many other areas of the world and country, who are interested in the cruise, I have decided we need to go on the MSC cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas on Sunday, March 8 to Thursday, March 12, leaving from Port Canaveral, which is considered Orlando.

The convenience is Port Canaveral is approximately half an hour to 40 minutes from Lake Mary. It is also approximately half an hour from the Orlando airport.

If you plan to fly home immediately after the cruise, the ship MSC Seashore will dock at seven in the morning, and taking into consideration the debarkation time and travel to the airport, you would probably want to arrange for your flight home after 12 noon.

As the IUKF totally and unquestionably supports Sensei Mattson’s Winterfest, I encourage all Uechi-Ryu practitioners to join in these festivities. The cruise that I have arranged is merely to help complete a full week’s vacation.

Please be informed that Sensei Mattson usually has a Thursday workout and dinner afterwards.

Winterfest will begin at 9 AM on Friday and conclude on Saturday.

For those who are interested in the cruise, it will start the very next day, which is Sunday, and return on Thursday the 12th.

The ship MSC Seashore is large enough for your own privacy, or we can meet at breakfast, lunch, and sit as a group for dinner.  We can also arrange to lounge by the pool during the day. The Broadway shows have always exceeded expectations.

If you would like to dine privately, everyone understands. There are also specialty restaurants, which will be an extra expense. It will be your choice; however, I have been completely satisfied with the dinner that the cruise included.

Passports are highly encouraged because getting off the ship the last day is easier and faster. 

Please know that this cruise is not a mandatory part of the Winterfest, and all participants of Winterfest are not required to go. It is just made available to complete a full week’s vacation for anyone interested in cruises.

You will need to contact MSC Cruises (information found online) and call to arrange for your own cruise. I would suggest you have a passport, although I believe a government-issued ID is all you need.  I’ve always brought my passport.

I hope to see all of you at Sensei George Mattson‘s Winterfest, and I will be delighted to see you on the cruise.

Due to the late correspondence regarding this cruise, although we are only in late August 2025, you will need to make your cruise plans as soon as you can, as cabin availability is less as time goes near and the price could go up.

Looking forward to seeing you at Winter Fest, and hopefully, I will enjoy your company on the cruise.

Darin Yee

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