Alain Setrouk

Along with Jacques Legree, Alain Setrouk is a pioneer of Kyokushin Karate in France. A no-nonsense martial artist, he is known for his realistic approach to combat and self-defence.

Alain Setrouk was born on 6 January 1945, in Paris, France. His brother, David, would go on to be the Art Director of the famous Budda-Bar in Paris.

After leaving school Setrouk joined the French army.

In 1964 Henri Plee invited Yoshinao Nanbu to teach at his Parisian dojo. Plee had seen Nanbu, who was a Shukokai practitioner,training while he was on a visit to Japan.

Nanbu travelled around Europe giving seminars and demos. He made such a good impression that he was soon made coach of the French National Team. His foot sweep (ashi barai) became a favourite technique among the French team.

Setrouk began learning Karate in 1964, while in the army. He had witnessed a fight between two soldiers, where one of them had used a Karate kick on the other.

Setrouk was fascinated by what saw. He later saw the same soldier compete in a tournament where he was easily defeated by Nanbu. Setrouk began training under Nanbu. A few months later he was competing in tournaments.

Between 7-9 May 1966, the 1st European Karate Championships were held in Paris, France. Jacques Delacourt, of the French Karate Federation, invited Italy, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain, to take part in the tournament.

Setrouk was selected to represent France. Patrick Baroux defeated teammate Guy Sauvin in the final of the Individual Kumite event. Franco Gerometta and Setrouk finished in joint third.

Setrouk joined teammates, Patrick Baroux, Guy Sauvin, Jean-Pierre Lavorato, Maurice Szpirglas, and Dominique Valera, to win the Team Kumite final against Switzerland. Italy finished in third place.

In a bid to further his Karate knowledge, Setrouk travelled to Japan with Yoshinao Nanbu, for three months in 1964. There were joined by Patrick Baroux, Dominique Valera, Jean-Robert Baroux, Philippe Ficheux, and Jean-Pierre Lavorato. They all stayed with Nambu’s grandmother.

Before travelling to Japan the Frenchman had imagined a country full of Karate masters with whom they could train. However, they were disappointed to find that Karate was a fairly new martial art practised in universities or small dojos.

The Frenchman travelled around Japan, where they trained in different styles of Karate. They were well received by Shito-Ryu master Chojiro Tani in Kobe, and Kyokushin master, Mas Oyama, in Tokyo. However, the Frenchman were generally disappointed by their reception at some clubs. As foreigners some clubs refused to teach them. They eventually left Japan feeling a little disappointed.

In 1967 Mas Oyama conducted a course in Holland. Setrouk attended the course, where he met Dutchman, Jon Bluming, for the first time.

At the 6th French Championships held in 1967, Setrouk became French Champion.

By 1968, Setrouk was training in Kyokushin Karate . In 1968 he was promoted to 4th Dan by Mas Oyama and also appointed the first Branch Chief in France. He held a position until 1988.

In 1970, Yoshinao Nanbu introduced his new style of Nanbu, which combined elements of Aikido, Judo, Shito-Ryu, and Shukokai. Nanbu formed a new association.

Setrouk decided not to follow Nanbu to the new association. He began training with Jon Bluming, one of Mas Oyama’s Kyokushin representatives in Europe.

Between 21-22 April 1972, the 2nd World Karate Championships were held in Paris, France. Setrouk was selected to the French National Team. The French team consisting of Setrouk, Dominique Valera, Francis Didier, Guy Sauvin, François Petitdemange, Gilbert Gruss, and Patrice Lenoir, defeated Italy in the final of the Team Kumite event. They had sacrificed personal rivalries and individual glory to focus on team success.

Between 4-6 May 1972, the 7th European Karate Championships were held in Brussels, Belgium. Setrouk competed in the Individual Kumite -80 kg event. He finished in joint third place with Jeff Peters, behind Dominique Valera and Jan Kallenbach.

In 1982 Setrouk’s book Kyokushinkai Karate, was published.

Around 1996 Jon Bluming established the IBK (International Budo Kai). He had previously left the IKO (International Karate Organisation) in 1980. He had founded the KBK (Kyokushin Budo Kai).

Over the next few years Setrouk continued his development of Kyokushin in France. He also began exploring the Budo aspects of Karate .

In 2010 Setrouk began promoting professional fights. In 2012 he organised the Pro Fight Karate 2012 Tournament.

On 26 September 2019, the International Kyokushin Budokai awarded Setrouk the position of Honorary President. He was also promoted to 9th Dan. The certification had been agreed by Jon Bluming before his death.

Alain Setrouk has been involved in other martial arts apart from Karate . He had always been interested in researching realistic approaches to combat and self-defence, with and without weapons.

Setrouk was the founder and Technical Director of the Kyokushin Jutsu Escrima School.

Also as a member of the FFKDA, Setrouk was the President of the Martial Arts of South East Asia (Kali, Penchak Silat) section.