[1][2] Kancho Ishii's top student at this time was Takeo Nakayama, who had achieved fame by taking second place in the 1977 Kyokushin All-Japan tournament as a green belt.

In 1988, at the 7th All-Japan Knockdown Open tournament, new rules were used for the first time allowing face strikes wearing boxing gloves for extension rounds.

In June 1991, 4,500 people crowded into Tokyo's Yoyogi Hall to watch a 5 on 5 challenge match between Seidokaikan and World Oyama Karate with Willie Williams competing.

In March 1992, the Karate Olympics I show was held at the Tokyo Gymnasium with Nobuaki Kakuda fighting American Willie Williams.

In May, the Karate Olympics II show was held at Tokyo's Yoyogi Hall with Swiss Kyokushin champion Andy Hug fighting Toshiyuki Yanagisawa.

In October 1992, the 2nd Karate World Cup attracted American kickboxer Dale Cook, and was ultimately won by Andy Hug.

The first K-1 competition, named K-1 Grand Prix, was held in April 1993, and included contests between Andy Hug and Nobuaki Kakuda, and Michael Thompson fighting Kin Taiei.

The 3rd attracted foreign competitors Kyokushin fighter David Pickthall, Muay Thai kickboxer Changpuek Kiatsongrit and American karate champion Patrick Smith.

In October 1994, the 4th Karate World Cup was won by Sam Greco who downed Michael Thompson in the first round with a left low kick followed by a straight right body shot.