The Harvest of the Path: An Interview with Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal on Ranks and ResponsibilityInterviewer (Media Office Director): Osu! Today, we welcome a distinguished athletic and administrative figure within the "Oyama" Karate Organization (WKO - Iraq Branch); a man who perfectly balances the precision of engineering with the resilience of Karate. Our guest is Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal. Coach Riyadh, let us begin with a brief introduction for our readers.Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal: Osu! It is a pleasure to be here. I am Riyadh Arif Abdul Amir Al-Fattal. I currently hold the rank of 3rd Dan Black Belt. I am honored to serve as a Board Member and the Head of the Baghdad Activities Department at the Oyama Karate Organization, which, as you know, is an integral part of the World Karate Organization (WKO Shinkyokushinkai).Interviewer: Returning to the beginnings is always inspiring. What was the first spark that led you to join this martial art?Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal: The story began in the summer of 2008, specifically in the courtyard of Quraish Elementary School in Kadhimiya during the "1st Peace Championship"—the inaugural Iraq Shinkyokushinkai Championship. I was there as a spectator, and I was captivated by the players' performance and the sheer power of the sport. At that moment, I made my decision. I began training at "Bushido Dojo" under the supervision of Sensei Eyad Al-Khafaji (who was a Sempai at the time and is now a Shihan).Interviewer: Eighteen years of commitment... who are the masters who have left a lasting mark on Riyadh Al-Fattal’s technical character?Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal: My mentor and lifelong role model is Shihan Eyad Al-Khafaji; he has supervised my journey since day one. I certainly cannot forget the guidance of Hanshi Hashim Makki, who oversaw our international camps and provided invaluable direction. I also had the golden opportunity to learn from global experts such as Kenji Midori, Tsukamoto, and Sakakushi during World Cup training camps.Interviewer: Moving to technical ranks, tell us about the "Dan" milestones in your career.Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal: I earned my 1st Dan in 2013 at the Middle East Championship under Hanshi Hashim Makki, followed by my 2nd Dan in 2015, also under his supervision. I remained in a phase of refinement and long-term experience until 2024, when I attained my 3rd Dan under the joint supervision of Shihan Eyad and Hanshi Hashim Makki. Thank God, I hold several international certificates, most notably the participation certificate from the 2022 World Cup in Poland.Interviewer: Your record is full of local and international titles. Which milestones are closest to your heart?Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal: Locally, I take great pride in winning 1st place in the 2013 Iraq MMA Championship, 1st place in the 8th Iraq Open Shinkyokushinkai Championship, and 1st place in the 1st Iraq Full Contact Championship. Internationally, I have represented Shinkyokushinkai Iraq in the Under-70kg category for years, winning 1st place in the 2017 Middle East Championship in Iran, and 3rd place in 2015, 2019, and 2022, culminating in my participation in the World Cup in Poland.Interviewer: As the "Head of Baghdad Activities," how do you balance your role as a coach with your administrative duties in organizing championships?Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal: I consider myself the right hand of Shihan Eyad Al-Khafaji. We work as a unified team to manage logistics, prepare athletes, and oversee officiating. My goal is to develop the sport in the capital and discover talents to support the Iraq Branch of Shinkyokushinkai, focusing on enhancing the efficiency of our staff and unifying training plans to ensure Baghdad’s permanent leadership in the sport.Interviewer: What about "Dojo Al-Zaeem"? What is the vision you instill in your students?Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal: At "Dojo Al-Zaeem," we build character before technique. We merge strong basics with realistic combat, focusing on precision and tactical intelligence. I don’t just want to graduate fighters; I want to instill discipline so that every player becomes a champion in their personal life before they even step onto the competition mat. To achieve this, I constantly develop my own skills through specialized courses in training methods, officiating, and sports psychology to keep pace with international curricula.Interviewer: In conclusion, Coach Riyadh, what is your advice to the younger generation? And what are your future ambitions?Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal: My advice is this: The Black Belt is not the finish line; it is the "entry ticket" to the start of your true journey. That is where the greatest challenge begins. As for my ambition, it is to expand "Dojo Al-Zaeem" beyond the borders of Kadhimiya to all areas of Baghdad, spreading the spirit of Shinkyokushinkai and building a generation that possesses both ethics and commitment.Interviewer: Thank you, Coach Riyadh, and best of luck in your upcoming endeavors. Osu!Coach Riyadh Al-Fattal: Osu! Thank you