Sensei Hiroshi Shirai passed away

It is with great sadness that we report the death last night of one of the icons of Shotokan karate - Sensei Hiroshi Shirai.

Sensei Shirai 10th Dan and former JKA grand champion, founded the Istituto Shotokan Karate in Italy and heavily influenced the development of traditional Shotokan karate in Italy and much further afield.

He will be greatly missed within the karate world.

Our condolences go to his family and the many thousands of students who have been inspired by his teaching.

(the picture which shows Sensei Shirai, along with Ofelio Michielan and Richard Poole at the 2017 WSKA championships in Treviso)

ESKA home

The European Shotokan Karate-do Association was founded in 1986 in Ghent, Belgium at the request of the member countries of the former European Amateur Karate Federation. ESKA is a fully democratic, non-political organization formed to foster and develop traditional Shotokan competition around Europe. ESKA championships are held every year at the end of November or beginning of December.

The future schedule of ESKA championship

2025 - Portimao, Portugal - 28th to 30th November

We look forward to seeing you.