by The 1988 martial arts action film Bloodsport comes to mind when the word kumité is mentioned. It stars Jean-Claude Van Damme as Frank Dux who competed in an underground tournament and became a champion. While the film was supposedly based on the unverified real life exploits of Dux, there is a martial art challenge that exists that is so demanding that only a handful of people have completed it worldwide.
The Hyakunin Kumité or 100-Man Kumité is one of the highest tests of the human spirit and perseverance in Kyokushin Karate. It consists of a challenger sparring against 100 opponents in two minute bouts. The challenge was developed by Masutatsu (Mas.) Oyama who, according to legend, completed the challenge 3 times over in consecutive days – fighting a total of 300 men!
It is said that Oyama wanted to continue on the 4th day but there was no one left willing or able to challenge him. Of course, he was not the first martial artist to put himself through such a challenge and was actually inspired by the exploits of legendary Japanese Samurai Yamoaka Tesshū and the undefeatable Judoka Masahiko Kimura.
The challenge might seem extreme and unnecessary to the uninitiated but it is much more for the Kyokushin karateka. It is the ultimate test of the Kyokushin and fighto spirit, and aspires to push one beyond what they thought were their limitations.
The challenge also develops a mindset that can overcome the hardest and harshest obstacles, and progresses far beyond the confines of the dojo and into everyday life.
To date, there have officially been only 25 people who have successfully completed the 100-Man Kumité including the first and only female Naomi Ali, who completed the challenge in 2004.
While the physical aspect of this challenge can be daunting, the real challenge lies within the mindset of the participants, and the strength developed from it can applied into all aspects of one’s life.
Before I pen off, let me share a quote by Bruce Lee that can be applied to this challenge.
If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.
Brue Lee
