International Karate Daigaku

  • The International Karate Daigaku was formed in February 2011 after Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai resigned from the International Shotokan Karate Federation.

    Following his departure from the ISKF in January 2011, dojos across Canada and throughout the Caribbean and South American also resigned. In less than two weeks, the IKD was created.

    Over the following years, the IKD introduced many new things to the organization. Each year at IKD Honbu World Camp, the organization grows by adding new layers to the IKD.

    • 2011 – Swearing in Ceremony of Shuseki Shihan & two deputies, adoption of Haori, Bunkai, etc.

    • 2012 – Adoption of the IKD Kyu & Dan Examination Syllabus.

    • 2013 – Adoption of IKD Passports & the Instructor Training Programme.

    • 2014 – A New Method of Teaching, Kihon, Kumite, Team Kata, Bunkai & Enbu.

    • 2015 – General Membership participation & discussion of the new IKD Tournament Rules.

    • 2016 – Introduction of Oyo & Traditional Weapons.

    • 2017 – The Science of Karate

    • 2018 – Celebrating 55th year of teaching karate for Shuseki Shihan Woon-A-Tai.

    • 2019 – IKD’s First Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Distinguished Service Awards.

    • 2020 – Cancelled due to COVID-19.

    • 2021 – IKD announced promotion of Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai (10th Dan), Shihan Maureen Woon-A-Tai (9th Dan), and Shihan W. Dexter Shim (9th Dan). World Camp cancelled due to COVID-19.

Mission Statement

The International Karate Daigaku (IKD) will use traditional and modern applied research to offer the highest level of karate to all students. IKD will uphold standards of excellence that inspire our students to improve character development and instil core values of respect, honour and discipline. The IKD will also encourage positive behaviour and empower children and youth to live socially and emotionally healthy lives. The philosophy of karate will also be merged and aligned with culture and education to reflect the environment within which we live. It will help us understand ourselves and each other. The end result is to have karate at the heart of all communities and promote peace, thereby preserving the well-being of humanity.

Vision

To be recognized as the leading worldwide Karate organization through research and development, while upholding the highest values and traditions, and empowering all communities within which we live.

Technical Information

IKD Distinguished Service Awards

The Phoenix rising from the ashes in the “National Medal of Service Award”, represents 40 years of loyal service Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai gave to his Japanese Masters until his resignation in 2011, with a broken heart and spirit. With the help of true and loyal friends, Shuseki Shihan Woon-A-Tai rose again from the ashes to head the fastest growing karate organization in the world that in seven short years, IKD is represented in 70 regions in 50 countries worldwide. The Hall of Fame Award is a prototype; the final medal will look like the National Medal of Service.

Rather than using a static immobile building to represent the “Hall of Fame Award”, He chose the world-famous “Kaieteur Falls” found deep in the Guyana Amazon to symbolize the Hall of Fame. Kaieteur Falls is the world’s largest single drop waterfall by the volume of water flowing over it. Its river is the “path or hall” that leads to the falls through the dense Amazon Rainforest. In karate, the important concept “A Mind Like Water” has its own symbolic interpretation of the “way” of karate. Water, in its calm state, symbolizes mental clarity, and in its thundering state, represents the power of karate. Moreover, the open hand symbolizes the meaning of the word karate – empty hand, no weapons.

The other three Awards will feature Shuseki Shihan and Fuku Shuseki Shihan(s) performing their favourite techniques with their Chinese Zodiac animal birth signs in the background – the Tiger, Dragon and Horse.

    • World Membership Recognition

    • World Membership ID Card

    • Unique Award: Over neck, Desk or Wall mounted

    • Distinguished Award Certificate

    • Member of IKD Department of Distinguished Awardees

    • Name Displayed on Dojo and HQ Wall of Honour

    • IKD Emergency World Travel Support

    • Reserved Seating at World Cup Events

    • Reserved Seating at National Cup Events

    • IKD World Newsletter

    • Complimentary Membership in IKD World Online

    • Lifetime of Excellence $100

    • Lifetime of Achievement $90

    • Lifetime of Service $80

    • Hall of Fame $70

    • National Medal of Service $60

  • Download Nomination Form

IKD Distinguished Service Award Recipients