7. UWSKF SPORT KEMPO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP & 29th HANSHI CUP
7. UWSKF SPORT KEMPO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP & 29th HANSHI CUP
REGISTRATION
The United World Sport Kempo Federation UWSKF will be returning to Hungary in December for its 7. UWSKF SPORT KEMPO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP & 29th HANSHI CUP in Budapest region.
The 7. UWSKF SPORT KEMPO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP & 29th HANSHI CUP is the biggest Sport Kempo event in the world, welcoming athletes from around the globe to compete for the prestige of UWSKF gold.
This year marks a new chapter for the Sport Kempo Worlds, as UWSKF heads to Budaörs Sporthall, a state-of-the-art venue in the Budapest region of Hungary, provided in partnership with the Hungarian Sport Kempo Federation.
INFORMATIONS:
RULEBOOK
TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS
HOST HOTEL
PROGRAM
TRANSFER REQUEST
VISA REQUEST
“SOKE” Dr. Imre Harnos – A Life Journey in the Spirit of Martial Arts and Freedom"
Sometimes, a person’s life is like a novel—but the life story of Dr. Imre Harnos is far more than that: it is a tale of struggle, perseverance, a longing for freedom, and exemplary teaching, all woven together.
He was born on November 12, 1938, in Dunaharaszti, Hungary, and already in his childhood sensed that life was more than just a series of everyday challenges. His father, a military officer, fought in the war and later became a leader in the resistance against communism. As a child, Imre absorbed the ideals of freedom and resistance. Despite constant fear, he was already helping underground movements at the age of 12—under constant surveillance by the KGB.
Sports became the first ray of hope in his life when he began wrestling and judo. His mentors were legendary figures: Sándor Soós, Dr. Ferenc Galla, and Olympic champion Lajos Keresztes. Imre quickly stood out with his talent, earning a black belt in judo by the age of 16.
In October 1956, his desire for freedom erupted and he joined the revolution. He was captured, wounded, lost friends—but miraculously managed to escape to Austria. He later continued his journey in France, where he met Olympic wrestler József Kovács, who reintroduced him to the world of martial arts. In Paris, he earned black belts in both Shotokan Karate and Ju-Jitsu in a short time.
After leaving Europe, he found his true home in Australia. He took on various jobs—shoemaker, hairdresser, barber, projectionist—while continuing his martial arts studies. In 1957, he opened his first dojo in Sydney, and later founded another in the university town of Armidale, which grew to a membership of 2,000. He earned degrees in physical education and child psychology there, while also delving deeper into martial arts philosophy and healing methods. He worked as a spinal specialist and naturopath.
His martial arts career was exceptionally rich. He earned high ranks in many styles: 10th Dan in Zen Bu Kan Kempo, 7th Dan in Okinawan Karate-Do, 8th Dan in American Ju Jitsu, and additional high ranks in Dae Myong Judo, Kyokushinkai, and Ryukyu Kenpo.
As a professional fighter in the world of shootfighting, he won 72 of 74 matches—continuing to fight even with injuries that would have brought down most others. These battles showcased not only his physical endurance but also a mental state where giving up simply wasn’t an option.
He founded his own martial arts style, Zen Bu Kan Karate, to replace the rigidity of traditional Japanese instruction with a more open and understanding approach. According to Dr. Harnos, the key to teaching is patience, encouraging questions, and fully supporting the personal development of the student.
The Zen Bu Kan Kempo system—born from the vision of Grandmaster Dr. Imre Harnos—was one of the first modern martial arts reform and restoration efforts that aimed to reunite real combat practicality with the deep spiritual essence of martial arts.
Through his martial path, Imre gained deep insights into the contemporary state of martial arts. Troubled by a growing sense of emptiness, he concluded that modern materialism had made martial arts overly consumer-friendly and marketable, overshadowing values that had endured for millennia. He saw the need to redefine the role of the warrior.
Over the decades, he reformed the martial arts grading system, introducing initiation challenges that emphasized not only physical and technical competence, but also character development. He sought unwavering integrity as the true hallmark of the highest martial rank—and subordinated all physical expectations to this philosophy.
According to Dr. Harnos, becoming a true martial arts master is not just about perfecting physical techniques, but about rediscovering oneself, and placing acquired strength and knowledge in the service of wisdom, ethics, and inner harmony. To him, the true mission of Zen Bu Kan Kempo was to elevate the martial artist from harshness toward a softer, spiritual dimension—not following the “victory at any cost” principle, but the deeper, peaceful philosophy of “Yield to win.” Thus, the warrior becomes a servant of balance in the world, both physically and spiritually.
Since 1962, Imre lived in a happy marriage with Margaret Elizabeth Mullins. They had two daughters, Anikó and Marika, who gave them seven grandchildren. He retired from active martial arts at the age of 65 but continued to teach and hold seminars in Hungary for years.
His life was not only a martial arts achievement but a lasting example of freedom, perseverance, forgiveness, and teaching—something from which we can all learn.
(Péter Keresztesi , ZBK Kempo 3rd dan degree black belt)
Valér Papp UWSKF President’s message:
UWSKF is the global body for Sport Kempo, the one of world’s fastest-growing sport with millions of followers worldwide.
It unites athletes into ONE KEMPO FAMILY from any kind of Kempo styles (Kempo/Kenpo/Chuan Fa/Kuen Fat/Kajukenbo/etc.) by setting the standard for safety, education, and fair competition.
UWSKF is focused on developing Sport Kempo as an international sport, from the recreational level to the elite, driving the development of common sets of rules, safety regulations, structure, progression pathways and mutual exchange.
For its positive growth, there is a need to support the grass roots movement of recreational athletics, alongside the creation of opportunities for a world class, amateur sports movement.
UWSKF is focused on gaining worldwide recognition for the sport of Kempo.
Official recognition is needed on every level – regional, national and global – to enable safeguarding, minimize risk and to increase opportunities and benefits for the sport’s participants.
Through our support we hope to see an increasing number of national federations achieve government and National Olympic Committee recognition, as well as support from their other significant sports organizations.
Informal recognition is also important and the UWSKF works continually to improve the image of amateur and recreational Sport Kempo in the eyes of the public, sports fans, journalists, politicians and businesses alike.
UWSKF provides a structured community for its member national federations.
It provides rules, regulations and governance, structured progression pathways, educational systems and licensing, which are developed democratically through UWSKF elected board, expert committees and member platforms (e.g. General Assemblies, Technical Seminars and other forums).
In countries in which there are no existing national Sport Kempo federations, UWSKF supports those who are able and dedicated to form such a federation.
Enabling international competition
UWSKF organizes elite amateur nations tournaments all over the world, through its flagship World and Continental Championships for Veterans, Seniors, Juniors and Youths from the ages of 10 years upwards.
UWSKF Championships bring together National Teams from member federations all over the world, creating a hub and platform for ongoing sport development.
6th WORLD SPORT KEMPO CHAMPIONSHIP & 28th HANSHI CUP results
A Memorable Martial Arts Weekend in Törökbálint On December 7-8, 2024, the UWSKF World Cup took place in Törökbálint, marking one of the most prestigious martial arts events of the year.
This highly anticipated competition welcomed 83 clubs from 12 countries, with nearly 700 competitors showcasing their skills over two days of intense technical and combat events.
The venue, the Törökbálint Sports Center, proved ideal for hosting such a large-scale event, with 8 mats running simultaneously from morning until late at night, ensuring smooth and efficient proceedings thanks to the organizers' meticulous planning.
A Diverse Program of Events The World Cup's broad range of events, spanning technical demonstrations to full-contact combat matches, was a key highlight for participants and spectators alike.
Technical Categories: Competitors displayed Chinese soft styles and Japanese hard styles in both unarmed and armed forms.
Among the spectacular performances was the street self-defense category, where participants demonstrated their skills in realistic scenarios, captivating the audience with their precision and creativity.
Combat Categories: Matches ranged from light-contact sparring to full-contact bouts, as well as Gi and No-Gi grappling events.
This diversity allowed athletes to compete in the disciplines best suited to their strengths and styles, ensuring an inclusive and competitive atmosphere for all participants.
Age-Based Competition Structure The event was divided into two distinct competition days:
On Day 1, competitors under the age of 15 showcased their enthusiasm, talent, and fighting spirit, leaving the audience in awe of their potential.
Many of these young athletes are sure to become the future stars of martial arts.
Day 2 featured participants aged 16 and above, including youth, junior, and adult divisions.
These matches often brought intense showdowns, where technical mastery, physical endurance, and tactical finesse played pivotal roles in determining the winners.
Spartan Kempo Debrecen Dominates the Field By the end of the two-day event, the Spartan Kempo Debrecen team stood out as the most successful, earning the Best Team Award in both the children’s and adult categories.
Their exceptional results, combined with their exemplary sportsmanship and determination, solidified their reputation as a top contender on the international stage.
Conclusion The 2024 UWSKF World Cup was an extraordinary event in every sense.
With high-level performances, a rich diversity of participants, and a spirit of camaraderie, it left an indelible mark on all attendees.
Thanks to the collective effort of the organizers and participants, this World Cup concluded the 2023/2024 martial arts season on a high note.
Congratulations to all competitors, teams, and countries, and thank you for making this year’s event unforgettable!
Important details of the 6th WORLD SPORT KEMPO CHAMPIONSHIP & 28th HANSHI CUP
UWSKF World Championship 2024 ?An exciting weekend awaits martial arts enthusiasts!
Join us for the UWSKF World Championship on December 7-8, 2024, in Törökbálint, Hungary!
This prestigious event will bring together competitors from 12 countries, with nearly 700 athletes submitting an impressive 2,350 entries in combat and technical categories.
Registration and Weigh-In Schedule:
Preferred Date and Location:
December 6, 2024, Friday
⏰ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Hotel Budapest - Körszálló, 1026 Budapest, Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 47.
For Children (Ages 6-15): December 7, 2024, Saturday
⏰ 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Törökbálint Sports Hall, 2045 Törökbálint, Óvoda utca 6.
⏰Competition start: 9:00
For Youth and Adults (Ages 16 and Above): December 8, 2024, Sunday
⏰ 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Törökbálint Sports Hall, 2045 Törökbálint, Óvoda utca 6.
⏰Competition start: 9:00
Competition Details:
The event will take place at the Törökbálint Sports Hall, where the world's best athletes will showcase their skills on eight 8x8 meter mats.
To ensure a smooth and fair competition, the ZBK Kempo Federation has appointed 60 referees.
⚠️ Important Note: On Saturday’s competition day, the organizers kindly ask that each competitor be accompanied by only one spectator to optimize venue capacity and ensure a comfortable experience for everyone.
Follow the Event Live
Track the event online through this link:
https://smoothcomp.com/en/event/18732
Official invitation 6th WORLD SPORT KEMPO CHAMPIONSHIP & 28th HANSHI CUP
Dear Masters and Martial Artists!
We are inviting everybody for the
6th WORLD SPORT KEMPO CHAMPIONSHIP & 28th HANSHI CUP in Hungary,Budapest.
Proclamation,event website,rules and details you can find here :
https://smoothcomp.com/en/event/18732
For additional questions please reach out the organizer via email :
Mr.Balázs Kárászy
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
5th UWSKF World Sport Kempo Championship - 1st International Kempo Open France
OFFICIAL INVITATION
On behalf of the UWSKF, we are happy and honored to invite you to the 5th World Sport Kempo Championship as well as the 1st International Sport Kempo Open, in France at the largest dojo in the world at the ARENA Béthune-Bruay in Verquin.
On November 11th, 2023, there will be an International Sport Kempo FFK Open, and on November 12th, 2023, the 5th UWSKF World Sport Kempo Championship will take place.
This unique event provides an opportunity for your athletes to proudly represent your country and showcase their skills in these competitions.
For this event, we expect a large number of French participants, as well as different nations such as Hungary, Slovakia, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, England, Romania, Lebanon, India and many others, making it an unforgettable event for all.
We sincerely hope that you can participate in this competition and contribute to the global development of Sport Kempo. We will make this competition one of the largest in the world in 2023.
Please find attached some pictures of the dojo (sports hall).
A complete proclamation of the Events will be sent to you later with the competition rules, accommodations, bus transportation, etc…
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Best regards,
Valer PAPP Serge CAL
President of UWSKF Vice-president of UWSKF
Official results and pictures of UWSKF Championship and 26th Hanshi Cup Hungary
UWSKF Championship and 26th Hanshi Cup Hungary
Dear Presidents, Country Representatives, Kempo Friends,
On behalf of United World Sport Kempo Federation (UWSKF) and Hungarian Sport Kempo Federation it is my pleasure to invite you and your team from All Around The World for the 4th UWSKF World Championship & 26th Hanshi Cup 2022. which event will be held in the nearby of the capital city of Hungary, Budapest. The UWSKF World Championship & Hanshi Cup is an International Sport Kempo Championship for children and adults.
The date of the arrival, referee course, weigh-in and meeting for country representatives is December 2nd 2022 (Friday) The dates of the Championship are December 3-4., 2022 (Saturday-Sunday)
Place of the event is: Szigetszentmiklós Sports Hall, Address: Hungary – 2310, Szigetszentmiklós, Szebeni u. 81,
Host hotels:
NOVOTEL Budapest Centrum**** https://all.accor.com/hotel/3560/index.en.shtml Address: H-1088 Budapest, Rákóczi út 43-45.
Contact: Ms. Anita Jancsók Phone: +36307427707
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
All participants/teams are responsible for their own hotel reservations.
Deadline of booking the rooms is 1st November 2022 to ensure the offered special accommodation prices. When you book the rooms, you should refer to „UWSKF Worlds & Hanshi Cup”.
Transfer: We provide airport transfer for all guests according to flight schedules to the host hotel.
We also provide transfer between the hotel and the venue on each competition days.
The transfers have to be pre-booked in advance and sent it to the organizers.
The total Transfer Package price: 90 EUR/person (full transfer price for all ride during the competition days plus airport shuttle back and force)
Those delegations who need Visa to enter to Hungary (European Union), must send their visa application forms to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before 1st October 2022.
The organizer will take care of sending official invitation letters to the Hungarian consular representation in their country of residence.
Contact details: Valer Papp; mobile phone no.: +36 30 242 9117; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Referees: The National Federations that wishing to delegate their referees into the refereeing Body of the event they have to send their application till 30. September to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The Organizing Committee together with Mr László Kormos, head referee will select the referees.
The organizing committee will pay the hotel room for the selected referees in the Host hotel (3 nights from 2nd to 5th Dec.)
On-line registration: The competition official on-line organizing platform and interface is: https://smoothcomp.com/en/organizer/event/8552
If you are not familiar with SmoothComp platform for on-line registration you have to contact by email with Mr. Gergely Békési (leader of administration team) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and he will instruct you about the registration steps and registration software usage.
Best Regards & See You all soon in Budapest!
Please feel free to share this info with your Kempo friends.
Be Safe, see you soon in Hungary & Best regards,
Valér Papp - UWSKF president
Balázs Kárászi - president Hungarian ZBK Kempo Federation member of UWSKF competition committee
25th Hanshi Cup UWSKF Championship Hungary - Pictures
Official Results - 2021 UWSKF Championship Hungary
25th Hanshi Cup UWSKF Championship Hungary
Dear Presidents, Country Representatives, Kempo Friends,
Please find attached the Proclamation, Preliminary entry form and the Host Hotel offer of the 3rd UWSKF World Championship & Hanshi Cup.
Please feel free to share this info with your Kempo friends.
Be Safe, see you soon in Hungary & Best regards,
Balázs Kárászi Valér Papp
Chief Organizator UWSKF president
UWSKF World Sport Kempo 2019
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