💢 President
World Karate Organization Soshinkan
💢 Chairman
World FullContact Karate Federation
Hanshi Andrew Rekunov – Андрей Рекунов, a visionary martial artist and instructor, has played a pivotal role in the development and promotion of Full Contact Karate on a global scale. With his expertise and passion for the sport, Hanshi Rekunov has been instrumental in revolutionizing the way Full Contact Karate is practiced and perceived by enthusiasts worldwide.
Rekunov’s journey in Full Contact Karate began several decades ago when he dedicated himself to mastering the art form. Through years of rigorous training and competition, he honed his skills and gained a deep understanding of the nuances of Full Contact Karate. This expertise allowed him to develop innovative techniques and training methods that pushed the boundaries of the sport.
Recognizing the need for a platform to showcase these advancements, Hanshi Andrew Rekunov founded the WFKF • World FullContact Karate Federation and World Karate Organization SOSHINKAN. Under his leadership, the WFKF and WKOS has grown into a global organization that brings together practitioners, instructors, and fans of Full Contact Karate from all corners of the world.
Through the WFKF-WKOS, Hanshi Rekunov has organized numerous international tournaments and seminars, providing a platform for Full Contact Karate practitioners to showcase their skills and learn from the best in the field. These events have not only helped raise the profile of the sport but have also fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among participants.
Hanshi Rekunov’s contributions to Full Contact Karate extend beyond the competitive arena. He has authored several books and instructional videos, sharing his knowledge and insights with aspiring martial artists. Additionally, he has trained and mentored numerous instructors, ensuring that the principles and techniques of Full Contact Karate are passed down to future generations.
Today, thanks to Hanshi Andrew Rekunov’s tireless efforts, Full Contact Karate has gained recognition as a dynamic and exciting martial art form. His commitment to innovation and excellence continues to inspire practitioners around the world, propelling Full Contact Karate into a new era of growth and popularity.
About Hanshi Andrew Rekunov
8th Degree Black Belt
“Awarded the Honorary Order of the 2nd Degree for outstanding achievements in organizing the educational process, fruitful scientific and pedagogical activities, and significant contributions to the development of the International Humanitarian University.
Odessa, Ukraine
October 29th., 2021”
President
World Karate Organization SOSHINKAN
Chairman
World Full-Contact Karate Federation
8th Dan — 2022
7th Dan — 2015
6th Dan — 2010
5th Dan — 2006
4th Dan — 2002
3rd Dan — 2000
2nd Dan — 1998
1st Dan — 1994
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Career
1984 — Began training in Judo
1987 — Started Kyokushin Karate
Since 1987 — Practiced Kyokushin Karate, Simmey-do Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, and Soshinkan Karate
1994–1996 — Head Coach, Odessa Regional Federation of Contact Karate and Kung-Fu
1996–2001 — Chief Instructor, Eastern Ukrainian Region — ISKF
2001–2005 — Director and Chief Instructor, Daihido Organization
2006–2014 — Vice President, ISKF
2010–2014 — Vice President, All-Ukrainian Kyokushin Karate Federation
2014 — Official Representative in Poland, World Sokyokushin Organization
2015 — President, World Karate Organization SOSHINKAN
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Since childhood, like many boys, I dreamed of becoming strong and knowing how to fight well. There’s nothing unusual about that — it’s the dream of any normal young man. But back in the Soviet Union, martial arts were banned, except for Judo. One of the few legal Judo clubs was in Chernomorka, Odessa. My friends and I joined in 1983 and were proud to wear our gis (I remember my mother buying mine for 21 rubles). Our coach was a well-known judo master who also held a Karate rank. Unfortunately, after so many years, I can’t recall his name or exact rank — at that age, we simply didn’t pay attention to such details.
Alongside Judo, we gathered in the basement of our building and, with older guys, practiced karate in secret. The first person to introduce me to Kyokushin Karate, in 1987, was Oleg Nazarov, the older brother of my friend Alexander Safronov, who has since passed away. To us kids, Oleg was a hero and a role model — we even copied his walk. To this day, we remain friends.
At that time, information about karate was extremely limited. We collected grainy, photocopied pictures of Japanese masters, translated Western karate manuals, and copied them into our notebooks. Using these notes, drawings, and photos — along with what we had learned before — we trained in strict secrecy.
Until 1989, even possessing such photos or notes could cause serious trouble: parents could be summoned to school, you could be placed on a juvenile watch list, and in some cases even face criminal charges under Soviet law.
With perestroika came change — the “Iron Curtain” fell, many restrictions disappeared, and new sports became popular. Young people began converting old “underground” basements into gyms. We did the same: brought in weights, made punching bags from sacks, and installed makiwara boards. Life became easier — no more hiding.
By the late 1980s, official karate clubs began to open, attracting hundreds of students. But a new problem emerged — fake “masters” exploiting the karate boom to make money without real skill or knowledge.
In 1989, I was drafted into the Soviet Armed Forces. I started my service in Sterlitamak, Bashkir ASSR, in an Air Force training regiment. At first, training time was almost nonexistent, but after six months I was transferred to the Akhtyrka Air Regiment in Sumy region. There, I met many fellow martial arts practitioners, and we trained almost every day, mostly in full-contact sparring. That’s where I gained my first real fighting experience.
After leaving the army in 1991, I searched for a karate club that suited me. In 1992, I came across an advertisement for Salam Kahil (then a 3rd Dan in Kyokushin Karate). His style combined Kyokushin Karate, Full-Contact Karate, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu — exactly what I was looking for. That’s when I met my Sensei.
By then, karate in Ukraine had begun to organize itself — tournaments, seminars, and ranking exams were being held, and professional instructors were emerging. Thanks to my early experience, I quickly became an instructor and earned support both in Ukraine and abroad.
I have trained under and organized seminars with many masters, including:
Shihan Loek Hollander — 9th Dan, Netherlands
Shihan Salam Kahil — 8th Dan, Ukraine
Shihan Andre Drewniak — 8th Dan, Poland
Shihan Antonio Pinero — 8th Dan, Spain
Shihan Noriyuki Tanaka — 6th Dan, Japan
and many others from around the world.
I am grateful to my Sensei, my family, my students, and my friends. Without them, I would not be who I am today.
Today, I proudly hold the title of Hanshi, having taught the art of the empty hand to thousands of students, trained dozens of instructors, and developed many champions at local, national, and world levels.
The path of karate has no end, and I will continue to learn and walk this path for the rest of my life.
With respect,
Andrew Rekunov
Osu!