Hajime Kazumi is one of Kyokushin most successful knockdown karate fighters and an absolute legend. His name is always said with great respect and admiration. Kazumi began Kyokushin Karate under the great teacher Tsuyoshi Hiroshige at age of fifteen, and by the age of twenty, Kazumi defeated many top fighters to reach the finals of the All Japan Karate Tournament. Since then Kazumi has never finished outside of the top two places in any tournament.

Effective fighting styles:

His effective punching and kicking combinations helped him reach the finals of six All Japan Tournaments in a row, winning four of these to break Keiji Senpai’s record. He also reached the finals of two World Open Tournaments, where he had a devastating loss to Francisco Filho, because the final decision was on board breaks, and in the other a lost to Kenji Yamaki, training partner and fellow student of Tsuyoshi Hiroshige’s Jonan Branch. After the defeat by Filho, Kazumi returned to the World Championship after winning the 2nd World Weight Category Tournament in Osaka in 2001 and before claiming an unprecedented fifth All Japan Title in 2002 by beating Hitoshi Kiyama in the finals.

Training and style:

Kazumi has integrated Taikiken training into his karate practice and has modified his fighting style to rely on punching and low kicks (inside/outside Gedan Mawashi), instead of the high kicks that are characteristic of Kyokushin Karate. This strategy made him a hugely successful fighter, demonstrated by his long record of wins.

Achievements:

His achievements and honors include:

• 2nd World Weight Tournament 2001 (IKO1) – 1st Place
• 7th World Open Tournament 1999 (IKO1) – 2nd Place (Lost to Francisco Filho on boards)
• 6th World Open Tournament 1995 (IKO1) – 2nd Place (Lost to Kenji Yamaki)
• 1st World Team Cup 1998 (IKO1) – 1st Place (Defeated Brazil)[2]
• 34th All Japan Open Karate Tournament 2002 (IKO1) – 1st Place
• 30th All Japan Open Karate Tournament 1998 (IKO1) – 1st Place
• 29th All Japan Open Karate Tournament 1997 (IKO1) – 1st Place
• 28th All Japan Open Karate Tournament 1996 (IKO1) – 1st Place

Resignation from IKO1:

On 24 November 2002, Kazumi officially resigned from Kyokushinkai (IKO1) to join a new organization led by Hatsuo Royama and his instructor Tsuyoshi Hiroshige. Kazumi’s reason for leaving the IKO1 was to “pursue true Budo Karate”. He later resigned from the newly established Kyokushin-kan organization to become the leader of an independent group of dojos operating in the Tokyo area. He remains to teach and giving seminars around the world.