Legacy of Kyokushin-Kan Karate in St. Augustine, FL
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Martial arts have created worlds of legacies that are diligently passed down from master to student. This fundamental of the art harnesses an unbroken chain of sacred knowledge and extreme discipline. One such legacy that deserves attention is that of Kyokushin-Kan Karate. Kyokushin Karate was founded by the legendary Mas Oyama in 1964 when he established the IKO or International Karate Organization. The IKO today governs Kyokushin karate. Oyama’s intentions of “Kyokushin” was to push students of the art beyond what they knew as their physical limitations. Kyokushin, meaning “Ultimate Truth,” was the way students could discover strength they never knew they had. The ultimate truth way to their inner strength and character.
Honoring Hatsuo Royama
Today, the vision of inner strength and the ultimate truth is carried on by Hatsuo Royama. In 2003, Royama founded Kyokushin-kan. The Ultimate truth became the ultimate truth family. Black Belt Magazine recently showcased the Kyokushin-kan style as an exceptional martial art. Showcasing Hatsuo Royama “as the oldest and longest-serving student of Mas Oyama” and awarding him the Lifetime Achievement Award, placing Royama in the 2024 Black Belt Hall of Fame.”
2024 Black Belt Hall of Fame
The Black Belt Magazine’s Black Belt Hall of Fame 2024 Ceremony was held on October 10th, 2024, at the Hollywood Avalon Theater. As Hatsuo Royama celebrates his lifetime of dedication and achievement in Kyokushin-kan martial arts, showcased in the Black Belt Lifetime Achievement, others of the Kyokushin-kan in the USA were also awarded. U.S. International committee member Tom Callahan is one and one of Hollywood’s own movie stars and 3rd Degree Black Belt Sensei Dolph Lundgren.
A Legends Birth
Shihan Hatsuo Royama is currently the oldest active student of Mas Oyama. Royama has dedicated over five decades to carrying the philosophy flame and advancing the principles of Kyokushin Karate. Through Royama’s unshaken commitment, the core values of discipline, respect, and perseverance continue to create legends within Kyokushin-kan.
As Royama’s legacy was birthed by Mas Oyama, there is another legacy that is unraveling from one of his most prominent students. Making his way to legendary is Shihan Seyar Azadani, a 6th dan black belt, who’s story is becoming nothing less than legendary. Shihan Seyer Azadani plays a keen role in carrying the torch forward in the Kyokushin-kan legacy. Trained directly under Hatsuo Royama, Shihan Seyar Azadani along with many others has absorbed the deep-rooted principles of Kyokushin-kan and Budo karate. The combination of the two brings forth not just the skill of the art but the discovery of self, personal growth and the pursuit of truth.
Shihan Seyar Azadani
Shihan Seyar Azadani’s journey has been an accomplished one. He has not only accomplished a 6th Dan Black Belt status through his hard work and dedication, his personal competitions are quiet astounding. He won the 2011 All North America Kyokushin-kan Kata competition and the 2019 All Japan Senior Kumite Championships. Shihan Azadani has been ranked as one of the greatest referees, along with being appointed a judge for final rounds with in Kyokushin World Championships.
Not only is Shihan Seyar Azadani an astounding student of Hatsuo Royama’s, he serves Royama as an advisor in matters for the Kyokushin-kan International Karate Organization of Asia.
Under Shihan Hatsuo Royama he earned his Renshi-Shihan title in 2019 and his 6th Dan Black Belt in Fukushima, Japan in February 2024. Even though Shihan carries these achievements under his belt he still remains a student as he regularly participates in international seminars and keeps his eagerness alive by traveling to Japan to continue learning from what the grandmasters of Kyokushin-kan has to teach. His dedication to self- improvement and staying connected to his roots of discipline is unaltered.
Creating Kyokushin-kan Legacies in St. Augustine FL
Now, Shihan Seyar Azadani continues as the head instructor of his dojo teaching Kyokushin-kan Karate in St. Augustine, Florida. Shihan Azadani instills the same values in his students as Mas Oyama did in Shihan Hatsuo Royama and as Royama passed along to him. Encouraging his students to always challenge themselves both physically and mentally. Above all he instills in them to never give up!
Shihan Azadani’s local student and New Kyokushin-kan Black Belt John D’Zurilla can attest that giving up is NOT an option to becoming a greater version of self. John earned his Shodan under Shihan Seyar Azadani May of 2024.
Becoming your greatest version is not just a test to your abilities it is a continuance of challenges and a complete lifestyle of dedication, endurance and perseverance.
Other students of the Azadani Dojo in St. Augustine Florida have already began climbing the belt ranks to their journey becoming their greatest version such as red belt Darius Whitfield and orange belt LJ Powers.
Shihan Azadani has another legacy brewing beneath him as his son Omar Azadani is climbing high with immense determination at the young age of 9, to become the next family title holder.
Kyokushin-kan Karate in St. Augustine, FL
Shihan Azadani’s has brought the legendary martial art of Kyokushin-kan to the rich historic town of St. Augustine, FL. Both St. Augustine and Kyokushin-kan share a place in the history of life. The ancient city now possesses a legacy of the ancient arts. Shihan Azadani is ready to help students to transform the lives of those who accepts the journey of self-empowerment. Those who are ready to train under Kyokushin-kans rigorous demands for the search of one’s Ultimate Truth.
The Azadani Dojo instills up on others the traditions passed down from Grandmaster to Master. Through the dedicated leadership and teaching of Shihan Seyar Azadani the legacy of Mas Oyama, carried forward by Hatsuo Royama, lives to inspire and guide martial artists from beginner to Shihan. The Azadani dojo in St. Augustine is more than a karate school, it is a sacred place for those who push their limits further than possible to discover their ultimate truth. As Shihan Seyar Azadani often reminds his students, if you never give up, you will discover the true meaning of Kyokushin-kan. Kyokushin-kan karate is not about the fight, it is about taking the ultimate journey within and finding your truth.
