Norichika Tsukamoto

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Norichika Tsukamoto (born 4 February, 1974 in Nagasaki, Japan) is a Japanese Karate expert at the grade of 2nd Dan.

He was first taught by Shihan Yasuhiko Yamada (Kyokushin Nakasaki Branch), then by Shihan Tsuyoshi Hiroshige (Kyokushin Tokyo Jonan Branch). His favorite Techniques are Mae-geri, Maha-geri, Domawashi-kaiten Geri.

Norichika Tsukamoto has been nicknamed the “Karate's Revolutionary”, because of his unconventional and splendid fighting skill. Tsukamoto was defeated by his rival, Suzuki, at the 34th All Japan Tournament and has since then, been away from the throne of championship. Yet his tremendous techniques have attracted not only karate fans but also public fans. His trump card has been his special version of jodan-mawashigeri (High Kick) called “Maha-Geri”, and also his special winning technique: Domawashi Kaiten Geri (Rolling Kick), and with these kind of techniques, he has contributed to make Karate even more popular.

However, Tsukamoto, (who has also become very popular overseas) lost his fight against Valery Dimitrov at the last World Tournament. Dimitrov with his powerful punches, won the fight on an Ippon Victory (Full point), and by this Tsukamoto had revealed his weak point to the public. In the following year, at the All Japan Weight Division Tournament, a part of his tactic was to deliberately expose his own weak point, a tactic which showed to be successful, Tsukamoto won the Tournament, and with this victory he secured his place in the National Team for the World Cup.