Kyokushin Croatian Open Summer Camp in Zadar, Croatia 2026
On August 19, Shihan Kai and his student Antti from Sisu set off for Zadar, Croatia, to attend Croatian Open Kyokushin summer camp. The first training sessions were not scheduled until the following day, so the plan was also to have some time to explore Zadar and Croatia before the camp began.
When leaving Finland, the temperature was around 17 degrees, while in Croatia we got to enjoy temperatures well above 30 degrees. So the cold certainly wasn’t going to be a problem on this trip 🙂
The weather was otherwise on our side as well, as apart from one rain shower lasting about an hour, we got to enjoy sunshine and warm temperatures throughout the entire trip.
Around 30 karateka from several different countries took part in the camp held in Zadar.
The first training session began on Wednesday evening at 8:30 p.m. The outdoor temperature was still close to 30 degrees at that time, and it felt even hotter inside the dojo. Shihan Kai is not fazed by such temperatures, but for the relatively new practitioner who joined him, simply making it through the first two days of training was quite an achievement in itself!
Not all training sessions were held in the hot dojo, however. We also trained outdoors in a park near the accommodation, and after training the group headed to a nearby beach to relax and cool off. A very nice way to finish a training session!
It has to be said that the camp in Zadar, Croatia, hosted by Shihan Vladimir Sekeljin, 5th dan, was an incredible experience in many ways. The camp offered a very diverse range of training, while also leaving just the right amount of time for relaxation and spending time together.
The kumite sessions were led by Sensei Maksym Maksymov, 3rd dan, a two-time world champion from Poland. Sensei Domen Zorko, 3rd dan, taught Kempo-related drills as well as weapon techniques. In addition, Shihan Kai, 5th dan, taught practical applications of kihon and how to use them in practice.
We also had the great honor of meeting and training with Hanshi Zvonko Samaržija, 8th dan.
A big thank you to all the Shihans, Senseis, Sempais, and karateka who took part in the camp for the great atmosphere, excellent training, and the time spent together!
A special thank you also to Sempai Ariff for the photos used in this post alongside our own.
The trip left us with many new experiences, valuable lessons, and great memories (and perhaps a slightly better tolerance for the heat…).
Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to take part in the same camp again in the future. We hope to see you again, Zadar!
OSU!!