100 Man Kumite
The Ultimate Test of Strength, Endurance, and Spirit
The Kyokushinkai organization has built its strength on a foundation of the fighting ability and courage not only of its founder, the late Grandmaster Masutatsu Oyama, but its students. Sosai Oyama introduced a test unique only to Kyokushin Karate, the “Hyaku Nin Kumite” or the One Hundred Man Kumite.
This is considered the ultimate test in Kyokushin Karate as one has to fight 100 opponents in full contact knockdown fighting with each bout lasting two minutes. Should one be knocked down for more than five seconds one would fail the test even if it were your last fight. To make it more difficult, one must win a greater percentage of your fight by Ippon (full points) and not take continuous punishment or block only, in order to stay on your feet.
To show that this feat could be done, in his prime Sosai Oyama fought 100 opponents on each of three consecutive days. He wanted to continue for a fourth day but there were no opponents left to fight. It is little wonder that only 13 other people in the whole world have successfully completed this test, where only the strongest, both mentally and physically, survive.
The Modern Challenge
Since it was first started 35 years ago, the 100 man Kumite was always completed over two days and 50 fights on each day. Then Sosai Oyama decided that the test should be completed on one day. On December 1, 1972, Shihan Howard Collis 7th Dan of Britain, completed his 100 fights in less than four hours in one day.
Since then, all those who have completed this feat have done so in less than four hours. It is these people whom Sosai Oyama considers as real budoka, those who have achieved the true test of the Hundred Men Kumite, for the preparation involves years of forging an indomitable spirit and a will of granite.
The Spirit of Osu
Many Karatekas including two time world champion, Shihan Makoto Nakamura 6th Dan, have attempted this feat but have failed. Shihan Keiji Sampei 6th Dan, failed on his first attempt after 49 fights. He persevered and succeeded after the second attempt.
To accomplish this feat, one must have a strong grasp of “Spirit of Osu” or perseverance beyond normal limits. The Hundred Man Kumite is “Supreme Test of the Spirit of Osu”, the ultimate test of physical and mental perseverance in the Martial Arts.