USA-IFK at the 5th American Full Contact Championship

The 5th American Full Contact Championship, organized by Shinkyokushinkai Karate Las Vegas, was held on August 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The tournament brought together competitors from across the country to test themselves under both semi-contact and knockdown rules.

The USA-IFK was represented by:

• Shihan William Schrader (6th Dan) - Kaizen Kan Dojo, Tucson, Arizona

• Shihan Steve McCreery (5th Dan) - McCreery Karate-do Kyokushinkai, Mishawaka, Indiana

• Sensei Bill Stewart (3rd Dan) - Texas Kyokushin Karate

Shihan Schrader and Sensei Stewart assisted with officiating . Their presence, alongside Shihan McCreery, reflects the ongoing cooperation between USA-IFK and other Kyokushin organizations in supporting full-contact karate in the United States.

In the competition:

• Claudio Rodriguez (1st kyu), from Texas Kyokushin Karate. After winning the Semi-Contact Division at the 32nd American International Karate Championships last November it was time to move up to knockdown. Claudio earned 3rd place in the Men’s Middleweight Knockdown Division, showing strong spirit in his first appearance under full knockdown rules.

• Jay Marshall (7th kyu), from McCreery Karate-do Kyokushinkai, competed in both Semi-Contact and Knockdown. With a background in kickboxing, this was his first Kyokushin tournament, and he made an impressive debut—earning 2nd place in the Men’s Lightweight Semi-Contact Division and 2nd place in the Knockdown Division.

Congratulations to both competitors for their efforts and achievements, and thank you to our USA-IFK officials for representing the organization at this important event. Osu!