Bernard Bilicki

With the likes of Dominique Valera, Jean-Pierre Lavorato, and Patrice Belrhiti, Bernard Bilicki is a legend of French Karate. He has practised martial arts for over 60 years. He began practising Karate in the early days of the art in France. A quiet man, he was a ferocious fighter when he competed. A well-respected teacher, with a wealth of knowledge, he has been described as an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Bernard Bilicki was born on 19 December 1951, in Lyon, France.

Both of Bilicki’s parents practised martial arts. Just before he turned 8, he began practising Judo with his parents. He trained under his father, he was a student of Bernard Midan.

In 1963 Bilicki began practising Shotokan Karate aged 12, with his parents. By this time, the family had relocated to the Loire Valley. His father also opened a Karate club near Matel. He had previously visited Paris, where he had undergone a one-week course.

Bilicki had preferred Judo over Karate. However, his father was insistent that he practice both martial arts.

Bilicki also trained at the Renaissance Club in Lyon, which was run by Jean Perrin and François Sanchez. Dominique Valera, a future great of French Karate, also trained at the club.

In 1969 Bilicki’s mother was promoted to 1st Dan. During the grading, he was her partner.

By 1969 Bilicki held black belts in both Karate and Judo. He had also started competing. He would eventually represent the French National Team.

In 1970 Bilicki was promoted to 2nd Dan in Karate. Three years later he received his state diploma of sports education in Judo-Karate-Aikido.

Bilicki received his first selection to the French National Karate Team in 1974. He would eventually captain the national side.

In 1975 the FFKAMA ( French Federation of Karate and Related Martial Arts) was established. Previously, Karate had come under the auspices of the French Judo Federation. The first President of the FFKAMA was Jacques Delcourt.

Bilicki established the Roanne Karate Club in 1977. The following year he was promoted to 3rd Dan.

Between 2-4 May 1979, the 14th European Karate Championships was held in Helsinki, Finland. Bilicki competed in the Individual Kumite -70 kg event. He finished in third place.

In 1980 Bilicki became the French National Karate Champion.

Between 27-13 November 1980 the 5th World Karate Championships was held in Madrid, Spain. As a member of the French Kumite Team, he won a bronze medal in the Team Kumite event.

Bilicki retained his French National title in 1981

Between 24 July – 2 August 1981, the 1st World Game was held in Santa Clara, California. Bilicki lost to Cecil Hackett of Great Britain in the final of the 65-75 kg Individual Kumite event. Yukiyoshi Marutani and Seiji Nishimura, both from Japan, finished joint third.

Bilicki was appointed the coach of the French Cadet-Junior Team in 1981. He held the position for seven years and saw the development of the next generation of French karateka.

In 1983 Bilicki retired from active competition. In September of that year, he established the Dynamic Club in Roanne. The club would become synonymous with martial arts practice in the area. Apart from Karate and Judo, the club offered aerobics classes and held and had a weights room. The club also eventually started teaching Tai Chi.

Over the next few years, Bilicki focused on the Budo aspects of his training. He went on a personal journey to explore the Jutsu aspects of his Karate practice. He combined his knowledge of Judo, Karate, and Tai Chi into what he called Karate Jutsu. Although a traditional Karate teacher, he taught a form of Karate that was more practical and applicable in the real world.

Over the years Bilicki has produced several DVDs on Karate Jutsu.

In 2005 the FFKAMA changed its name to the FFKDA (French Federation of Karate and Associated Disciplines). In 2017 the FFKDA shortened its name to the FFK (French Karate Federation)

Bilicki was promoted to 9th Dan by the FFKDA in 2013. This was for his services to Karate.

In September 2023, the Dynamic Club celebrated its 40th Anniversary. It had become one of the biggest clubs in the Loire Valley region of France.

Between 24-25 August 2024, a national course was held. The instructors on the course were some of the greats of French Karate. They were Bilicki, Dominique Valera, Jean-Pierre Lavorato, and Patrice Belrhiti.

Now in the 70s, Bernard Bilicki is still sought out for his instruction and teaching. He remains passionate about his training.

Bilicki has always viewed his training as a journey, rather than a destination. He still conducts courses across across France.