On November 15, the capital's tatami transformed into an arena of strength, honor, and memory as Kyiv hosted the MEMORY CUP 2025 in kyokushin karate. The tournament was dedicated to the "Angels of Sport" — athletes who defended Ukraine and sacrificed their lives for its freedom.
A total of 270 athletes from various cities, including Poltava, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Brovary, Obukhiv, Irpin, Bucha, Vyshgorod, and local clubs participated. The atmosphere was tense, and the matches were fierce, as each participant sought not only victory but also to honor the memory of heroes.
Kyokushin karate is one of the toughest styles of full-contact karate, combining physical endurance, technical skill, and spiritual discipline. Founded in the mid-20th century, this style nurtures not only athletes but also individuals capable of facing life's challenges with dignity and strength.
The highlight of the event was the MEMORY CUP 2025 gala evening, attended by honored guests: war veteran and TV personality Oleksandr Teren, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Oleksiy Nikitenko, and the president of the WAKO Ukraine kickboxing federation, Olha Pavlenko.
Between matches, spectators enjoyed performances by kyokushin karate masters, singing by Oleksandr Surkov, and energetic rap from the Blackfish project.
The event had a charitable goal — all proceeds from tickets and the auction were directed towards the creation of an inclusive veterans' space, M13 GYM. Together, they managed to raise 100,000 UAH.
The organizers were the Kyiv City Federation of Kyokushin Karate, the Department of Youth and Sports of Kyiv, and the Sports Committee of Ukraine, with Roman Kryvytskyi from the Defense Forces as the head of the organizing committee.