Dear WKO Branch Chiefs and Contacts,
As we prepare for the 1st World Fullcontact Karate Championship, to be held on May 31 and June 1, 2025, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to the tournament headquarters, who have taken on the primary responsibility for the preparations, as well as to the branch chiefs and contacts worldwide for their dedication and hard work.
This championship holds immense historical significance, as it is founded on the grand principle of uniting the fullcontact karate world. Your continuous contributions and unwavering efforts are invaluable, serving as the driving force that transforms this vision into reality.
Furthermore, this championship builds upon the World Karate Championship in Weight Categories, which WKO has traditionally held once every four years. It was a difficult decision for us to position the World Karate Championship in Weight Categories, which we have built together with branch chiefs and contacts around the world, as a concurrent event for convenience while placing the World Fullcontact Karate Championship at the forefront.
However, this decision reflects our strong commitment to shaping the future of fullcontact karate and fostering the development of a unified sport that will endure for generations to come.
We must ensure the success of this tournament so that our decision will be remembered as a historic and meaningful milestone.
Currently, there are many styles and organizations worldwide, and this diversity is one of the defining cultural attractions of the fullcontact karate world. At the same time, the newly established World Full Contact Karate Organization (WFKO) aims to divide the world into national and regional units, promoting competitive rivalry from a sporting perspective.
This dual structure— the horizontal axis of “styles and organizations” intersects and the vertical axis of “nations and regions”—is a defining characteristic of WFKO. While complex, it presents a challenge full of potential. Embracing and guiding this complexity toward unification and integration is the historical mission entrusted to us at WKO.
I sincerely ask all of you to warmly support our colleagues who serve as WFKO Board Members on behalf of WKO.
To all members in each region, country, branch, and dojo, please take pride in being part of this international federation and continue your cooperation and support.
WKO will remain committed to fulfilling its responsibility as the governing body of WFKO, ensuring the success of this tournament while demonstrating its unique identity and originality to the world.
To all WKO competitors fighting in this tournament, I wish you to unite under “All WKO” and fight with the spirit of camaraderie that transcends national boundaries.
Above all, in the remaining two months before the tournament, I encourage you to dedicate yourselves fully to final, rigorous training with unwavering determination.
During the tournament, there will inevitably be matchups between WKO competitors. In this situation, please show respect to each other and fight with pride for your country.
As a team, we will stand together to support WKO athletes and strive to dominate the top ranks in each weight category.
Osu.
Kenji Midori
WKO President