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Kenji Midori overvar Swiss Open 25 juni. Les rapport fra Japan og hva som skjer i wko... |
Dear Branch Chiefs and Contacts,
As always, I would like to start my message, by expressing my appreciation to
all of you for your dedication and hard work for our WKO.
Japan has now entered the midsummer season. Although four months have passed
since the earthquake in East Japan, many people are still evacuated from their
homes, and problems with the nuclear power plant still remain. There are
concerns about the electricity supply in Tokyo, on whether it will be enough to
meet the increase in demand, due to the rise in temperature. I believe that this
issue can be solved by the patience and endurance of the Japanese people. It is
indeed the Spirit of OSU (Osu no Seishin), that is required from us now.
During the months after the earthquake, many of our branches around the world
have sent warm messages and relief donations to Japan, and when I visited the
Swiss Open, which will be mentioned later in detail, children made donations out
of their allowance. I was very moved by this, and was at a loss of words. The
world is one, our hearts are one. The only way for Japan to give back what
everyone has done for us, is to rebuild our country. We will do our best to do
so.
The preparatory work for the World Championship is now reaching its peak. The
deadline for applications was the end of June, and we have received many
documents from our branches around the world. We will have the tournament draw
meeting in the middle of July, and please be informed that we are planning to
announce the draw to the world, by the end of the month.
As I always say, we take pride that the World Championship of WKO, is the
strongest and largest tournament in the world. In order to win at such
tournament, one will have to endure the hardest training in the world. Every
day, during every available moment. In order to acquire the highest happiness in
the world, one will need to go through the most severe suffering in the world.
At this moment, all participants have the possibility to achieve this honor, and
I would like to ask for all to give your best in your training.
The World Championship is also an opportunity to meet friends from around the
world, all who are important. Although we will only meet for a few days, I hope
we will be able to experience a great time. Here in Japan, we are doing our best
in our preparation work to entertain our friends. We will make all of the
necessary efforts to ensure that our friends will enjoy their stay in Japan, in
a comfortable manner.
As I mentioned earlier, I was invited by the Swiss Branch to attend the 9th
Swiss Open. Several European countries, as well as Russia, participated in this
event. Young, developing fighters from Japan, still in their teens, also took
part in the tournament. The level of the tournament was extremely high, due to
the participation of the fighters in the World Championship. Thanks to the
energetic leadership demonstrated by Branch Chief Peter Steinmann, the
tournament was a great success. This kind of enthusiasm by our Branch Chiefs,
inspire people to create groups of supporters, and this leads to the further
spread of Budo Karate in the world. Once again, I would like to express my
deepest respect towards the constant activities our Branch Chiefs are carrying
out throughout the world.
During my stay in Switzerland, I had a productive meeting with EKO President
Koen Scharrenberg, and also with many other Branch Chiefs. I would like to thank
everybody for this opportunity, for there were many fruitful discussions that
took place. I also had some discussions with Branch Chief Romas Vitkauskas, in
which he explained that the preparatory work for the 5th World Cup in Lithuania
has already started. I am convinced that we can expect a fantastic event.
Lastly, let us move towards the future in unification, by joining hands to
achieve the further development of WKO. Please also remember to pay special
attention to your health, and let us do our best this month as well.
OSU
Kenji Midori
President
WKO
Dear Branch Chiefs and Contacts,
As
always, I would like to start my message, by expressing my appreciation to all
of you for your dedication and hard work for our organization.
I know that you all have been worried about the situation in Japan ever since
the earthquake on March 11th. People in the heavily hit Tohoku Region are still
evacuated from their homes, and for the nuclear disaster in Fukushima
Prefecture, the government has given evacuation orders to those living within a
20 kilometer radius from the nuclear power plant. As for the situation in Tokyo,
the site of the World Championship, the supply of electricity, food, and water
have all returned to pre-disaster levels. The WKO Headquarters is continuing to
work in different ways to help the stricken areas, not only by continuing the
collection of relief donations, but also by carrying out non-profit activities,
such as organizing a support group of 130 people to distribute 2,400 free meals
to the people living in evacuation shelters in Miyagi Prefecture on April 29th.
The Japanese people have all joined hands in walking this path of
reconstruction, and we ask for your continuous support towards the matter.
This last weekend, the All Japan Weight Division Championship was smoothly held
in Osaka, and the Japanese National Team for the 10th World Championship has
been fully selected. Since this tournament was the last opportunity for those
aiming for the World Championship, the competitors fought many severe battles,
and showed tremendous strength, skill and spirit. Footage of the recent European
Championship held in Lithuania was shown at the tournament, and the audience
seemed very interested in the high competition level of the European fighters.
The World Championship is to be held in less than 5 months time, and by the end
of June, we will have received the applications from all fighters. There is
already high expectations for the World Championship, held once in every 4
years, where top fighters from all over the world will gather to decide the No.
1 in Karate . As I have mentioned earlier about the situation resulting from the
recent earthquake in Japan, the people in Tokyo are living their normal lives. I
hope many from overseas will visit Japan and attend the World Championship, with
no worries.
Further, I have some sad news to give you. Branch Chief Junichi Hasegawa passed
away on April 29th, due to acute cardiac insufficiency. After assuming the
position of Branch Chief, not only did Mr. Hasegawa work very hard for the
promotion of Budo Karate, he also made great efforts to develop strong fighters.
As an honest man with consideration for others, he was trusted by many people.
Also within the organization, he actively took part in promotional work as a
member of the Doping Control Committee, and was a highly capable person, much
needed for the further development of WKO. Since he took good care of his own
health and was a very active person, we were all very shocked to receive the sad
news about his death. His family will continue to run the Saitama Musashi Branch
and we will assist them in whatever way we can. I pray that Mr. Hasegawa may
rest in peace.
Lastly, I would like to inform you about the work we are doing regarding the
Olympic Games. While continuing to have active discussions with executives of
the JOC, we are pursuing the possibilities of making our dream come true. As you
are all aware, the road to make this dream come true is a very long, severe
path. However, we shall never give up, no matter what difficulties we are faced
with. Let us join hands, and move forward, step by step.
I would like to ask for your support this month as well, which will be necessary
for us to develop “Our WKO” in unity.
OSU
Kenji Midori
President
WKO