The dojo
More than 30 years of dedication to the art of Kyokushin karate
Shinkyokushin Karate Wemmel was founded around 2009 by Michiel Vleminckx, who remains the dojo's head instructor and person in charge today. His own journey, however, began much earlier. In 1993, at just 11 years old, he took his first steps onto the tatami at Mas Oyama club in Malle, under the guidance of Sensei Jef Claes.
As a junior, Michiel quickly demonstrated his abilities. He became a multiple Belgian champion in both kumite and kata.
His talent did not go unnoticed. He was selected for the Belgian national team and represented Belgium at the 1999 European Kumite Championship in Zsolnok, Hungary.
When the club evolved into Kaido Dojo under Sempai Rember Verbuyst, Michiel gradually took on more responsibility.
At only 19 years old, he took charge of the club's further development and helped establish it as a respected name in the Antwerp Kempen region.
After moving to the Wemmel area, he started again from the ground up in a hall at Campus Wemmel. This marked the beginning of Shinkyokushin Karate Wemmel.
From just 11 members at the end of its first year, the club grew to more than one hundred practitioners by 2026, bringing together children, teenagers and adults.
The dojo has since also trained seven black belts, nearly all of whom have had the opportunity to represent Belgium at the European Championship. This is a strong reflection of the level achieved and the quality of instruction within the club.
Several junior members are also part of the Belgian national team today, and national training sessions are regularly held at the dojo.
As an adult black belt, Sensei Michiel continued to compete at a high level, particularly in kata.
He became a multiple Belgian kata champion and also won both the French Cup and the German Cup.
In 2005, he reached an important milestone with his first participation in the European Kata Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark. This marked the beginning of a long series of international appearances representing Belgium.
His technical development was recognised step by step over the years: 1st Dan in 2002, 2nd Dan in 2012, 3rd Dan in 2015 and 4th Dan in 2023, achieved in Japan, the birthplace of Kyokushin karate.
Shinkyokushin Karate Wemmel is affiliated with the BKOS, Belgian Karate Organisation Shinkyokushin, which in turn is connected to the World Karate Organization (WKO) and the European Kyokushin Organization (EKO).
In addition to being the dojo head and chief instructor, Michiel is also currently president of the BKOS. He continues to take part in national and international training camps, always seeking to deepen his knowledge and further improve his skills.
The story of Shinkyokushin Karate Wemmel is one of perseverance, passion and dedication to the Shinkyokushin family. Above all, however, it is a story of cooperation.
The dojo's black belts form the backbone of the club, helping to pass on its knowledge, experience and values. It is precisely this sense of unity, supported by the budo values cultivated within the dojo, that represents the true strength of Shinkyokushin Wemmel.
The high-graduates who guide the training and pass on the spirit of the Shinkyokushin.
Sensei
4th dan
Founder & chief instructor
Sempai
2nd dan
Sempai
2nd dan
Sempai
1st dan
Sempai
1st dan
Sempai
1st dan
Sempai
1st dan
Sempai
1st dan
Training sessions, seminars, competitions and shared moments: follow the club throughout the season.
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