Thank you for your continued efforts in the development of the WKO.
It is already two months until the end of this year. In Japan, summer is becoming longer due to global warming, and the arrival of bright autumn leaves will be short-lived, with winter likely to arrive soon.
What is it like now in dojos around the world? I believe there are some members who just started karate. Slipping on the sleeves of their new pure white dogi and feeling the stiff texture of the fabric. I hope they enjoy karate and foster rich friendships in their dojos.
Looking back on this summer, at the end of August, Mr. Janos Zsuga, the Country Representative of Hungary, and the chairman Mr. Toshiaki Hasebe invited me to the Hungarian Camp. It was a large-scale event with more than 500 participants, and a gorgeous line-up with two-time World Champion Mr. Yuji Shimamoto, 13WC Kumite Champion Mr. Kembu Iriki, and 13WC Kata Champion Mr. Taishi Watanabe also joined from Japan.
Men and women of all ages, those who just started karate, and those highly skilled in karate, all had a fulfilling time as they fired up their spirits and trained their bodies and minds through basic training, starting with Seiken Zuki.
In Hungary, Shihan Gyorgy Karmazin suddenly passed away during practice in 2017, a world legend Shihan Furko Kalman passed in 2021, and Shihan Arpad Kalmar, who had a wide network of connections as the country’s public relations had gone this spring. The country has reached a major turning point in its history.
I was grateful to visit Hungary on this special occasion to pay my respects to these late Shihans. I visited the grave of Shihan Karman, who supported our activities during the turbulent period after Sosai Oyama passed away, and a WKO Grading Committee member who had always given a strict but warm eye to those who challenged the Grading Examination. In the place where the hot summer sun shines, there was a glossy tombstone with a portrait of young Shihan Kalman wearing a beret, and I quietly prayed clasping my palms together after offering beautiful white flowers. The sound of a bell from far away in the blue sky, and I placed my hand on the tombstone. It reminded me of the day when Shihan Kalman held my hand with a smile. It felt as if I was wrapped in the big, rugged warmth.
On behalf of all Branch Chiefs around the world, I sent our gratitude to Shihan Karmazin and Shihan Arpad, the Shihans who had led Hungary and the world for many years.
Thank you, and may you rest in peace.
During my stay in the country, I received a lot of hospitality from the members of the Hungarian branch. Thanks to the kindness, we had a fulfilling and memorable time. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Zsuga, Mr. Hasebe, Mr. Jozsef Kaloczi, and all members of the branch.
In Japan, the traditional All Japan Championship was successfully organized on October 5th and 6th at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. As the first year in the four-year cycle centered on the World Championships, the event was marked by impressive performances from the new generation. In the men’s division, Nariyoshi Tada claimed his first victory, while in the women’s division, Mihiro Suzuki triumphed following her victories at the World Championships and KCC. Prize-winning teenagers also caught our eyes, including Mr. Ryuji Toda in second place.
Mr. Keijiro Tsukamoto, the eldest son of two-time World Champion Mr. Norichika Tsukamoto, had also made great strides. It was as if Shihan Tsukamoto from 30 years ago in 1994, the year of Sosai Oyama’s passing, when he earned his first rankings in the 11th All Japan Weight Category Championships and also ranked in the 26th All Japan Championships had been recreated.
Seeing the juniors of Shihan Suzuki and Shihan Tsukamoto shine on the big stage 30 years later, just as they led our organization during the turbulent times, I felt the passage of time. I ask all Branch Chiefs for continued dedication to nurturing future athletes, as I look forward to the rise of a new generation worldwide.
The 1st World Fullcontact Karate Championship will be held in Ariake, Tokyo on May 31st and June 1st next year. This Championship will be a step toward making Fullcontact Karate an Olympic sport and recognizing it in the world of international sports. Shinkyokushinkai will lead this movement, and we definitely aim top in the tournament.
This is a battle of the pride of each country, but also for the prestige of Shinkyokushinkai, so let’s prepare for the decisive battle as the WKO. The selection tournaments for this championship have been active in each region, and the competitors representing Japan and the South Pacific region are lined up. The selection tournaments in Southeastern Asia, Central Asia, South America, Europe (second selection), and Central America will all be held in November. The Middle East, Africa, and North America have also reported their selection process.
We anticipate the difficulties in managing Fullcontact Karate competitions requiring the coordination of multiple organizations, but we ask for your perseverance and cooperation in leading the tournament to success. I wish that all participants in the selection tournaments will give the best of their ability and aim for the honor of being the best in the world in Fullcontact karate.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you in Tokyo next year.
Finally, protracted international conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the increasingly tense situation in the Middle East will impact the World Fullcontact Karate Championship next year. The path to international activities remains closed to Russian Karatekas. Although Mr. Yuri Shabanov, our Country Representative of Russia understands the restriction, we heard the pain of having been blocked out from international activities. We pray for the earliest termination of war and world peace.
Let’s continue to work together to make WKO even better than it is now.
WKO President
Kenji Midori