The world of karate is mourning the death of a noble man. Founder of International Federation of Karate (IFK) Hanshi Steve Arneil (10th degree) has passed away at the age of 86. The tragic news were reported on the website of IFK
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Hanshi Steve Arneil who died suddenly on Friday 2nd July 2021 in London.
His influence and impact on Kyokushin Karate internationally for nearly sixty years are immeasurable and he was, without doubt, an icon of the twentieth century who influenced many.
There are no words to express the loss of Hanshi and our sympathies are extended to his family at this difficult time.
“There are times of suffering which remain
in our lives like black absolutes and are
not blotted out. Fortunate are those for whom
these black stars shed some sort of light.”
Hanshi shone a light in many people’s lives and that light will shine with us all eternally.”, said the official statement of IFK.
Steve Arneil was born 29 August 1934. He learned directly from Masutatsu Oyama and was a senior instructor in Oyama’s International Karate Organization (IKO) until 1991, when he resigned from the IKO.Arneil was the founder and President of the International Federation of Karate (IFK).
Arneil is the first man after Oyama to pass the “100-fight challenge”. This happened in 1965. After this achievement he was allowed by Oyama to develop this martial art in the UK. He was an author of many books and courses.
He establishes the British karate kyokushin organization with Bob Bolton. Between 1968-1976 he manages the UK national kyokushin team. He was the head of IFK until 2021, when he passed the torch to Shihan David Pickthall. Until his last breath he was part of the board of directors of IFK.
