On December 26, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. Kirill Galkin from Novopolotsk became the absolute champion of Belarus in Kyokushinkai Karate at the XVII national championship in this karate style, which concluded in Minsk, BelTA reports. Kirill Galkin won the competition in sports bouts - individual kumite (sparring). He was also unrivalled in the second section of the championship - tameshiwari, where athletes had to break hard objects with unprotected parts of their bodies. Victories in both sections earned Kirill Galkin the title of absolute champion of Belarus in Kyokushinkai Karate. The competition brought together over 30 participants from Borisov, Vitebsk, Gomel, Minsk, Mogilev, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Polotsk, Postavy, Svetlogorsk, Slonim, and Shchuchin. The tournament was organised by the Belarusian Kyokushinkai Karate-do Federation in conjunction with the Youth Social and Cultural Public Association "Rus Molodaya". The official partner of the competition was the Embassy of Russia in Belarus, in particular, the "Rossotrudnichestvo" Centre for Science and Culture, operating under the Russian diplomatic mission. The Kyokushinkai style is distinguished by its internal content as the toughest and most realistic of karate styles. Sports bouts (kumite) are conducted in full contact without protective gear (helmets, gloves, protectors) for the athletes. The only restriction is the prohibition of hand strikes to the opponent's head. Much in Kyokushinkai Karate competitions is decided not by physical strength, but by the athlete's will and perseverance in the fight. -0-

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