Shokei (Akiyoshi) Matsui started Kyokushin Karate at age 13. In 1976, he joined the Kita Nagare-Yama Dojo in Chiba prefecture and managed to achieve the first level of Black Belt in a little over one year. In 1980, he placed fourth in the 12th All Japan Open Karate Championships, when he was just 17. Soon after, he became Chief Instructor of the International Kyokushin Headquarters school (“Honbu” Dojo) located in Tokyo.

Both in 1981 and 1982, he took 3rd Place in the All Japan Open Karate Championships and then 8th place at the same event in 1983. At the Third World Open Karate Tournament in 1984, he took a remarkable 3rd place and became famous worldwide for his amazing sprit, strength and determination. He succeeded in winning the All Japan Championships in the consecutive years of 1985 and 1986 and then successfully completed the ultimate Kyokushin challenge, the “100 Man Kumite” in record time. In Japan, he became known as a man of “unparalleled genius”, someone who comng but once in an eon. In 1987, he became the youngest ever, Champion of the World. In May 1992, he opened his own school in Asakusa, Tokyo and was appointed Branch Chief by Sosai Mas Oyama.

On April 26,1994, Sosai Mas Oyama regrettably passed away, leaving the Directorship of the worldwide organization to Matsui, who then became “Kancho”(Director). In the wake of the founder’s untimely death and the well documented backlash concerning Kancho’s extraordinary appointment, in June of the same year, Kancho Matsui remarkably staged the 11th All Japan Weight Tournament and then in November, the 27th All Japan Championships to which over 16,000 spectators attended. The following year, he produced the hugely successful, Sixth World Open Karate Tournament, to which 168 fighters from all over the world competed and more than 25,000 spectators witnessed.

In the past decade since assuming IKO directorship, Kancho Matsui has intoduced, planned and produced not just one, but five groundbreaking events in the field of martial arts: the “World Cup” – Team Karate Championships, the “Women’s World Karate Championships”, the “World Weight Category Karate Championships”, the International Senior Karate Championships” and just recently , the “International Youth Karate Championships” to which over 1600 competitors aged 4-17 from around the world participated. A Most recent achievement was the creation of something that encompasses Kancho’s vision to “Expand and widen the stage of Kyokushinkaikan.” – Ichigeki Plaza.

Located in Tokyo, Japan, Ichigeki Plaza officially opened its doors in October of 2005. It houses everything from an official Karate Dojo, Ichigeki Academy (Kickboxing and MMA training), and even an organic cafe. This all-around health and fitness facility continues to promote and expand on the original phiolosophy of Sosai Mas Oyama to bring the spirit of Kyokushin to every corner of the world and make it avaiable to all.

Currently, the International Karate Organisation has over 12 million members in 125 countries. While simultaneously managing the organisation from its headquarters in Japan, Kancho Matsui travels to scores of Branches each year visiting countries and cultures around the globe to teach and spread the spirit of the Kyokushin Way.