In Kyokushin every question is answered with “Osu!“. Every greeting is “Osu!” Every instruction or question in class, is answered by “Osu!” instead of “yes” or “I understand“. When performing kihon waza (basic techniques) in class, each technique is often accompanied with a loud “Osu!“.
When practicing jiyu kumite (free fighting) in class and your opponent lands a good, hard technique, you say “Osu!” to acknowledge your opponent’s skill. As a measure of respect, knockdown fighters at a tournament bow and say “Osu!” to the front, to the referee and to each other, before and after the fight.
