HSE University Becomes Partner of Kyokushin Karate World Cup

On October 6, for the first time, Moscow hosted the Kyokushin Karate World Cup. The world tournament brought together athletes from more than 30 countries. HSE University participated in the event as one of the tournament’s newest official partners.

Kyokushin Karate is one of the most visually exciting forms of contact martial arts. It is therefore not surprising that the competition drew about 5,000 spectators. The Kyokushin Karate World Cup, which is the second most important tournament after the World Cup, is held every two years. It was first organized in Japan, and this year it was held in Russia for the first time.

The World Cup Organizing Committee is headed by Russian State Duma deputies Mikhail Degtyarev and Svetlana Zhurova, and Boris Morgunov, Director of the Institute of Ecology at HSE University, serves as a committee member and tournament ambassador. HSE University is a tournament partner.

Boris Morgunov himself practiced karate and was a USSR Cup champion in Kyokushin martial arts. Now he serves on the board of trustees of the Kyokushin Karate Union of Russia, a public organization that promotes sports in Russia. ‘It is difficult to overstate the pedagogical significance of karate,’ Boris Morgunov says.

Skills acquired on the tatami are easily applied in work, business, and research

Hosting such large and exciting competitions like the World Cup, says Boris Morgunov, contributes to the popularization of karate, especially among young people.

The Kyokushin Karate World Cup matches were held in four weight categories for men and three for women. The broadcast of the tournament is available on the official website.