Varsinais-Suomen Kamppailu-Urheilijat (VSKU) in Raisio and the historical Finnfight mixed martial arts event in Turku are strongly linked through the history of combat sports in the region and, above all, through key individuals. Although VSKU is currently an association focusing on different disciplines, its roots and instructors are closely tied to the ground where Finnfight once operated.
One of the most significant unifying factors is the Kuzuri Kai Ju Jutsu System, which is practiced at VSKU. The founders of this system are two central figures in Finnish combat sports and mixed martial arts: Jari Ilkka and the late Sauli Heilimö.
Jari Ilkka was actively involved in the first stages of Finnfight. He was one of the founders of Finnfighters’ Gym (FFG). Finnfight began from the interest in the sport shown by Jari Ilkka and Sami Koivumäki. UFC 1 had initially sparked their interest, and since there were no local opportunities to compete, they decided to organize an event themselves. Thus began FINNFIGHT Scandinavian NHB. Jari Ilkka also participated by competing in it, and Sami Koivumäki served as the competition director.
Sauli Heilimö, in turn, was a very successful competitor in mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He was a three-time Scandinavian MMA Champion at Finnfight events. According to VSKU, Sauli Heilimö was also the co-founder of the Kuzuri Kai Ju Jutsu System alongside Jari Ilkka and had started as VSKU’s head coach before his passing.
The strong connection of these Kuzuri Kai system founders to Finnfight creates a direct historical bridge between VSKU and Finnfight. VSKU continues to uphold this tradition by teaching the discipline developed by the founders.
Sami Koivumäki is currently a very active and central person at VSKU. He serves as the association’s chairman and is also a Ju Jutsu instructor, acting as an assistant instructor in the Kuzuri Kai Ju Jutsu System. Sami Koivumäki was involved with Jari Ilkka in founding the Finnfight event, a group later joined by Marko Leisten. Koivumäki also served as the competition director for Finnfight 1 & 2.
Riku Aalto is another important instructor at VSKU. He serves as the responsible leader and head instructor of the Kuzuri Kai Ju Jutsu System under Jari Ilkka. In addition, he instructs the club’s Escrima/Full Contact Stick Fighting classes. Riku Aalto’s role in leading the Kuzuri Kai system at VSKU means that he maintains and carries forward the martial tradition created by the significant figures in Finnfight’s history. Riku Aalto also competed in the first Finnfight.
Mathias Lundqvist was also a competitor in Finnfight 1 and serves as VSKU’s unofficial kettlebell instructor
.
KUZURI KAI JU JUTSU SYSTEM
Responsibility for the development of the Kuzuri Kai Ju Jutsu System lies with its founders and, after them, the key individuals and development working group who carry the system forward. The founders of the system are Master Jari Ilkka and the late Professor Sauli Heilimö.
Following Sauli Heilimö’s passing, the system is being developed and managed by the instructors under the leadership of Jari Ilkka. Jari Ilkka serves as the system’s chairman. Riku Aalto serves as the responsible leader of the system and is also its most active innovator. Sami Koivumäki serves as the secretary of the system’s development working group and as an assistant instructor. Thus, the main responsibility for the development of the Kuzuri Kai Ju Jutsu System lies with its founder Jari Ilkka, assisted by responsible leader Riku Aalto and other instructors, including Sami Koivumäki as the secretary of the development working group. Sauli Heilimö’s original contribution as a founder remains an essential part of the system’s foundation.
WHAT IS KUZURI KAI?
”Not a style, but an attitude, a way of doing Ju Jutsu.”
Kuzuri Kai – House/Society of the wolverine – Ahman Talo/seura 屈狸 会 (free translation)
The system’s foundation is built on traditional and academic Ju Jutsu techniques, but these are combined with modern methods applicable in practical situations. In Kuzuri Kai, techniques proven effective from disciplines such as MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), traditional Ju Jutsu, and Escrima are utilized. In addition to unarmed techniques, weapon techniques are an integral part of the system, with a particular focus on Escrima-style stick fighting (according to the principles of Real Contact Stick Fighting).
At the core of Kuzuri Kai’s philosophy is the finding of one’s individual style. Although the basic techniques are the same for everyone, training takes into account the individual characteristics of each practitioner so that the techniques are as effective as possible regardless of, for example, a person’s size or age. The goal is to create a solid technical foundation upon which practitioners can build the most suitable way for themselves to apply the skills they have learned.
The extensive experiences of the system’s developers, Ilkka and Heilimö, from both competitive arenas (such as Finnfight) and practical security work (security guarding) are reflected in Kuzuri Kai’s realistic and effective self-defense oriented approach.
The Kuzuri Kai Ju Jutsu System is internationally recognized. It has received recognition from Ju Jutsu International (JJI) in 2019 and MAAS International in 2022 as an official Ju Jutsu system (style). This international recognition enables, among other things, the attainment of higher belt ranks within the framework of international MAAS International.
Finnish 
English