Branch Chief, IKO Bangladesh Branch

To illustrate the history of International Karate Organization (IKO) Kyokushinkai Bangladesh branch, it is essential and important to write down details about the Bangladesh Branch Chief, Shihan Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan (Black Belt 5th Dan from Japan). He officially opened the IKO Bangladesh Branch on 21st October 1991 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. However, Shihan Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan had started Martial Arts from 1978 and traveled a long and hard way to arrive at today’s destination. Therefore Kyokushin Karate was officially established in Bangladesh by none other than Shihan Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan, who was born in Dhaka on 30th September 1961. 1978: This may not be an important year to a historian, but around this time, a young Monir ahmed Bhuiyan dreamed of becoming a great martial artist. He began his journey in martial arts (Judo) at the Bangladesh Judo and Karate Federation in 1978 under Mr. Awlad Hossain when he was 17 years old. At the end of this year, he received his brown belt. At around the same time, he also started training in Bando Karate under Mr. Badol in the Bangladesh Judo & Karate Federation. In December, he joined the Bangladesh Dragon Karate Center and started Bando Karate under Sensei Rafiqul Islam Newton.

1980: Sensei Rafiqul Islam Newton appointed him as an instructor for Bangladesh Dragon Karate Association Headquarters.

1981: Monir participated in the 1st all Bangladesh Dragon Karate Tournament and won the Group Championship. Sensei Rafiqul Islam Newton gave awarded him the Brown Belt. 1982: Monir came across an opportunity; he had a chance meeting with a Japanese Karate teacher Mr. Shigero Takahashi (Goju Ryu Karate) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 1984: Sensei Takahashi honored Monir with the Black Belt. In April of the same year Sensei Takahashi returned to Japan. 1985:​ Monir did not derail from his one true aim. Once again he joined  the National Sports Council Bangladesh Judo and Karate Federation for Shotokan-to-Wadoryu Karate under Sensei Titsuro Kitamura (from Japan). He received his brown belt after 8th months of training.

Through Sensei Shigero Takahashi's assistance, near the end of the year, Monir received a unique opportunity to travel to Japan. Subsequently, he was introduced to the world renowned Karate organization, the Kyokushin Budo Karate Organization Headquarter in Tokyo, Japan. Soon afterward, Monir received his first lesson at IKO Honbu (headquarter) from Shokei Akiyoshi Matsui, who was one of the instructors at Honbu at the time.

1986: As a thirsty young karateka, Monir continued his training under the founder of Kyokushin Karate, Sosai Mas. Oyama. Over the next few months, Monir had the opportunity to train directly under Sosai Mas. Oyama, Sensei Shokei A. Matsui, Sensei Nakamura, Sensei Akimoto, Sensei Kitamoto and many others at the IKO. Honbu Kyokushinkaikan.

1987: Monir Bhuiyan was appointed as an official at the 4th World Karate Tournament, the same tournament in which Shokei Akiyoshi Matsui became Champion.

1989: March, as a dreamy young man, Monir’s long awaited dream came true, he received his Black Belt 1st DAN.  He participated in the Nakano ken open full-contact Karate Tournament and took 3rd Place. He also participated in the Japan UV open full-contact Karate tournament and became champion. Along with many other tournaments, he participated in the Osaka weight category full-contact karate Tournament as well. In December of the same year, Monir Bhuiyan participated in the 21st All Japan Open Full-Contact Karate Tournament. 
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1990: March, Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan upon receiving his Black Belt 2nd Dan, realized his dream of devoting his life to karate. He soon participated in the 4th All Asia Open Full-Contact Karate Tournament in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Several newspapers published his interview with photographs after the event.

It was in this year that Sosai Mas. Oyama appointed him as a Branch Chief for Bangladesh. Near the end of the same year, Sensei Monir returned to Dhaka, Bangladesh. He may have returned to his home country, but in his heart he held fond memories of his bouts back in Japan with the world's best fighters such as Kenji Midori (5th World Champion, 1991), Shokei Akiyoshi Matsui (4th World Champion, 1987), Shishino Ue (Heavy-weight Champion, 1988), Uoe Sempai, Tamura Sempai and many other top fighters from the Honbu at the time. ​

1991: 21st October, the day that will forever remain memorable for every Bangladeshi -- Kyokushin Karate (IKO) Bangladesh Branch Chief, Sensei Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan officially declared and opened the Kyokushin Karate IKO Bangladesh Branch at the National Sports Council Gymnasium Hall, Purana Paltan, Dhaka.

1992: IKO Bangladesh Branch participated in the 5th All Asia Open Full Contact Karate Tournament in Sri Lanka. This was the last time that Sensei Monir had a chance to meet with Sosai Mas. Oyama. It was in the same year that Sensei Monir was invited from the Bangladesh Television magazine program "Ityadi." This event was a turning point for the history of Bangladeshi Martial Arts.

1993: Sensei Monir was once again invited from the Bangladesh Television magazine program (Antaranga). During the program, Sensei Monir and his students displayed a beautiful demonstration. In the same episode that day, Sensei Monir broke a 1.5kg natural stone with his bare hand.

1996: June, the 1st Black Belt Test was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Shihan Peter Chong (IKO South East Asia Chairman) from Singapore came to Bangladesh as a chief examiner, while Bangladesh Branch Chief, Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan was the official examiner. 15 students from IKO Bangladesh participated in this test.

1998: Branch Chief Sensei Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan recieved an invitation from Bangladesh Television (BTV). It was for a Kyokushin Karate instructional show in the BTV’s "Krirajagat" program broadcasted every Friday for a year.

1999: Branch Chief Sensei Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan participated in the 7th World Open Full Contact Karate Tournament in Tokyo, Japan, where he fought up to the 2nd Round. It was in this year that he also participated in the Mitsumine Dan (Black Belt)  Promotion Test and achieved his Black Belt 3rd Dan.

2000: The 1st All Bangladesh Open Breaking and Kata Tournament was held at the National    Sports Council Gymnasium Hall.
 
2003: Branch Chief Sensei Monir’s dream was successful as The 1st All Bangladesh Open       Full Contact Karate Tournament was held on 12th September in the Dhaka University            Gymnasium Hall. The Chief Guest was Matsushiro Horiguchi (Hon'ble Ambassador, Embassy of Japan, Dhaka). In the same year, one Bangladesh Branch student participated in the 8th World Open Full Contact Karate Tournament in Tokyo, Japan. Sensei Monir participated in the Mitsumine Dan (Black Belt) Promotion Test and achieved his Black Belt 4th Dan.

2005:​ The year is memorable for Bangladesh Branch Chief Sensei Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan as he organized the first ever International Karate Tournament in Bangladesh, which also grabbed the attention of the International Karate Organization (IKO) Kyokushinkai kan Honbu, along with the rest of the Kyokushin world. He entitled it The 1st SAARC Country Open Full Contact Karate Tournament, which was held on 18th November 2005, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

2007: Branch Chief Sensei Monir participated in the 9th World Karate Tournament as a Judge, soon after which he participated in the Mitsumine Dan Promotion Test for his 5th Dan. One Bangladesh Branch student also participated in the same World Tournament.
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2008: The 2nd  All Bangladesh Open Full Contact Karate Tournament along with The 1st Kids' Karate Tournament was held on 9th May. On the occasion, Bangladesh Branch published a beautiful Souvenir Magazine while several newspapers and a TV Channel, Channel i, covered the program. The 6th Black Belt Test was held this year. The branch also participated in The 11th Asia Open Karate Championship held on 25th October in Singapore.

2009: The 7th Black Belt Test was held. The following Black Belt giving ceremony was held at the National B.B Stadium where the Honorable Foreign Minister, Dr. Dipu Moni was present as the Chief Guest. In the event, beautiful demonstrations were given by the Black Belt students of Bangladesh Branch.

2010: The 3rd All Bangladesh Breaking and Kata Tournament was held on 15th May. On the occasion, the branch published a beautiful Souvenir Magazine. Several newspapers and a TV Channel, ATN Bangla, covered the program.   

2013: After numerous achievements, Sensei Monir organized the 3rd SAARC Country Open Karate Tournament in Dhaka on December.  Shihan Katsuhito Gorai (IKO Director) came to Bangladesh for the first time during this event, which was followed by The 1st International Training Seminar held at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka. 

​2015: After a number successful events, The 1st International Open Full Contact Karate Tournament was held on October in Dhaka. Shihan Katsuhito Gorai (IKO Director) came to Bangladesh for the second time for the event. From Bangladesh​ "Alexander" Achieved 3rd Place.

The tournament was followed by The 2nd International Training Seminar conducted by Shihan Gorai at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka.o

2016: The 25th Anniversary Award program, one of Sensei Monir's biggest dreams, was successfully completed on 11th December with explosive Karate demonstrations. As part of his demonstration for the event, Sensei Monir broke a glass bottle neck with his bare hand. Shihan Khatsuhito Gorai (IKO Director) came to Bangladesh once again to attend this 25th Anniversary of IKO Bangladesh Branch celebration program. 

The 2nd International Open Karate Tournament was held on 9th December in Dhaka, Bangladesh. From Bangladesh  Shahariyjjaman Sumon achieve 2nd place.  Shihan Khatsuhito Gorai (IKO Director) present as a Chief Judge. ​

The 3rd International Training Seminar was held on 10th December and was once again conducted by Shihan Katsuhito Gorai.

2018: April, Sensei Monir Bhuiyan traveled to Kuwait with his two students to participate in the 2nd Asia Middle East Weight Category Championship. Mathew Ricky achieved 4th place in the light weight category. Afterwards, Sensei Monir traveled to Japan with two other students, Mohiuddin Ahmed and Ahsan Habib to participate in the IFT Championship 2018. Furthermore, Kancho Shokei Matsui received the Award for the 25th Anniversary 2016 of IKO Bangladesh Branch.

Participated in the Mt. Mitsumine International Training Camp and visited the late Sosai Mas. Oyama Memorial with respect and love.

This year in April, Sensei Monir Bhuiyan participed in the Special Training Seminar in Daikanyama Dojo, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, where he attained the 5th Dan (5th degree Black Belt) and received the title of Shihan from Sensei.

2018: This is a another dream comes true and a point of history that IKO Bangladesh Branch Organized the 17th All Asia Open Full-Contact Karate Championship 2018 Dhaka Bangladesh on 9th & 10th November. It is a Selection for the 12th World Karate Tournament Tokyo, Japan on 22 - 24 November 2019 and it's Included Middle East Kyokushin Karate Organization. From Bangladesh Shahariyjjaman Sumon achieve 11th place and Selected for the 12th World Karate Tournament Tokyo, Japan on 22 - 24 November 2019.

This is important to mentioned here that His Excellency Hon'able President of People's Republic of Bangladesh decelerated opened the Championship 2018 Dhaka. And Shihan Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan Received President Crest from the President.

The 4th International Training Seminar was held on 11th November and was once again conducted by Shihan Katsuhito Gorai,

2019: In the event of the12th World Open Karate Championship, 22-24 November 2019 Tokyo Japan. Shihan Monir Bhuiyan's Daughter, Rubaiya Mehek, participated in the 12th World Women Open Karate Championship, and his Son, Monabbir Ahmed Bhuiyan achieved 3rd place (Bronze Medal) under 18 categories of the World Elite Karate Championship 2019, an outstanding achievement for Bangladesh. 

2023: In the event of the13th World Open Karate Championship, 22-24 November 2023 Tokyo Japan. Shihan Monir Bhuiyan's Son, Monabbir Ahmed Bhuiyan Participated.