Who is Kasuya Sensei?
Hitoshi Kasuya, 9th Dan. is the Chief Instructor at World Shotokan Karate-do Federation (WSKF).
At the beginning of his Shotokan Karate journey, Kasuya Sensei was an elite student and instructor of the JKA (Japan Karate Association) and then became one of the principal instructors of the international division of SKI (Shotokan Karate International) and enjoyed an admirable, competitive career.
Read more to discover his competition successes and how he established the WSKF (The World Shotokan Karate-do Federation) and what he’s been up to since retiring from the competition spotlight.
Exciting experiences, an outstanding career
As a student of Hosei University in Tokyo, Kasuya Sensei distinguished himself within the University Karate Club, quickly becoming team captain. During this time the early 1970s, Karate was still a relatively new competitive sport that was slowly but surely developing worldwide.
Kasuya Sensei graduated from the Instructors Special Training Course of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), an intense and rigorous programme for the most dedicated.
In 1975, Kasuya Sensei competed in the first World Championships, which were held in America.
In this year, he was humbled to place first in both team Kata (form) and team Kumite (sparring).
In 1980 and 1982, Kasuya Sensei competed in the World Union of Karate-Do Organisations (WUKO), now the World Karate-do Federation (WKF). However, at this time he was reassessing his own Karate future. Together with his Sempai (senior) Kanazawa Sensei, Kasuya Sensei decided to leave JKA to form their own organisation – SKI (Shotokan Karate International).
For the next 10 years, Sensei Kasuya travelled the world, developing and teaching the skills of Shotokan Karate, competing in numerous international tournaments. In 1983, at the first SKI World Championships held in Japan, he placed first in individual Kata and team Kumite. In 1985, at the second SKI World Championships, he won individual Kumite and team Kumite.
It was also in this year, at the still youthful age of 37, Sensei Kasuya retired from competing.
But his passion for Shotokan Karate did not stop there. An exceptional career in Karate training was soon to blossom.
In 1990, Kasuya Sensei established the World Shotokan Karate Federation (WSKF), becoming Chief Instructor. What started off as only a handful of countries as part of the WSKF organisation, the number now sits to over 100 member countries.
As it stands today, WSKF is now one of the most respected and recognised Karate organisations in the world.
The Shotokan Karate guiding principles respected worldwide
According to the World Shotokan Karate Foundation, Karate champions firmly reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination. Students and trainers hold no position on religion or politics, instead recognising every individual and separate organisation as self-determining entities.
The growth and development of World Shotokan Karate is closely aligned with seeking world peace. The art of Shotokan Karate is both modern and permanent, rooted in friendship and mutual understanding between every human being on earth.
Under these guiding principles, the beneficial growth and development of Shotokan Karate and the World Shotokan Karate-Do Federation, is realised.
Where is Kasuya Sensei now?
As the Chief Instructor at WSKF, Sensei Kasuya dedicates a large portion of his time to travelling and teaching Karate all over the world each year.
With over 100 member countries to educate and inspire, including Australia, Kasuyu Sensei is on a mission to maintain consistent and technical standards of training throughout the organisation and its members.
We look forward to welcoming back the inspiring, skilful and motivational Kasuya Sensei at WSKF Australia in the future.
Inspiring students worldwide
Kasuyu Sensei is an admirable guide and role model for Karate students from children to adults, beginner to advanced, worldwide. The Karate students right here at GSKarate in Perth are educated in his ways and stirred by his passion for the Shotokan Karate way.
We cannot wait to welcome back Kasuyu Sensei back to Australia in the near future.
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