Slough Kyokushinkai at the Singh Sabha Sports Centre

"The 1982 British Open Kyokushinkai Knockdown Tournament saw the largest ever entry of competitors 191 altogether, comprising of 83 Lightweights, 77 Middleweights and 31 Heavyweights.

Being a B.K.K. policy to encourage non-Kyokushinkai fighters, no one from other styles was refused entry, even though some sent their forms back after the deadline. Some even brought their entry forms on the day. However, they were still allowed to enter, much to the annoyance of the B.K.K. students who were barred because of late entry.

With such a large entry to the competition, in order to get through the day, 3 mat areas were used and the fights were limited to one main match and if no positive decision could be made, an Encho Sen. If the referees felt that one of the fighters showed more aggression and fighting spirit, then without producing a knockdown the fighter was awarded the decision. This upset certain managers who felt that "their boy" was saving himself for the extension when he would surely "devastate" his opponent. A referee can only make a decision on what he sees, not on what he feels might happen, if the competitors were to fight on for another 5 minutes. Naturally if we only had about 16 entries per weight category it would make life a lot easier for the referees if the competitors fought until one dropped. Then no doubt we would be accused of limiting the entries and also of brutality. Either way you can't win - there will always be someone who is upset.

Anyway enough of the sermon and back to the fighting - during the eliminations the mirror referee system was used quite effectively and saved a lot of time that would have otherwise been used up calling the four judges together. As there were over 50 competitors form other styles competing, care was taken over the draw so that these fighters would not meet in the first round to the detriment I may add, of the B.K.K. competitors."