03/08/2026
IN MEMORY OF KAICHO HATSUO ROYAMA (KYOKUSHINKAN)
Osu.
Today, the Kyokushin family has lost one of its great men.
With a deeply saddened heart, I pay my highest respect and sincere condolences on the passing of Kaicho Hatsuo Royama, founder and former Kancho of Kyokushin-kan.
Kaicho Royama was one of the early disciples of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, entering the legendary Oyama Dojo while still a young man. He belonged to a generation that experienced Kyokushin at its roots — a generation that trained under the direct guidance of Sosai Oyama and carried the spirit of Kyokushin through some of its most important years.
His achievements as a fighter, including becoming the 5th All Japan Champion in 1973 and reaching the final of the 1st World Open Championship in 1975, earned him a respected place in Kyokushin history. But beyond his championship achievements, his greatest contribution was the many decades he devoted to the preservation, development and transmission of the Kyokushin spirit and Budo. In 2002, he established Kyokushin-kan, taking his own path while continuing to uphold what he believed to be the true essence of the martial way. For many practitioners around the world, he became not only a teacher and leader, but also a living connection to the generation of Sosai Oyama.
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