Dear Branch Chiefs and Members,

Today, when I am writing this message, it is 26th of April, and naturally, my thoughts are with Sosai Oyama. It was on the same day, 10 years ago, that we all received the shocking news that our mentor and master had passed away. The death of Sosai Oyama caused turbulence both within our hearts and within our organization. Suddenly, we stood there and did not know what to do. Up till then, our path had been shown and led by our mentor, but now we had to find our own path, and create our own way. Kyokushin Karate has always been known for its strength and power, and it has also been well known that it is an organization with many strong minds.

Before Sosai passed away, he said "Even after my days, Kyokushin Karate will survive and grow".

These ten years, we, the children of Sosai and Kyokushin Karate, have been focusing on only one thing; to carry on Sosai's wish. Although we have faced several splits and troubles along the way, I am proud to say that Kyokushin Karate is surviving and it's growing! Our organization has gone through a change of name which has led to a stronger unification, and our hearts will always be with Sosai Oyama and in all corners of the world, we will continue to pursue the Way which he showed us, and we will continue to pass on his knowledge to the next generation in order to protect the Karate that he created and gave to us.

I believe it is important for us never to forget our roots. The human being is not made to go through living alone - we all have become what we are thanks to our parents, and many other people on the way, and we should never forget to be grateful to what we have been given. A (Shin)- Kyokushin karate-ka, would never have become what he/she is today, without Sosai Oyama, please keep this in your minds when you are pursuing your Way.

The Weight Division Tournament to be held on June 19th, 20th this year, will be dedicated to Sosai Masutatsu Oyama as the 10th anniversary of his death.


OSU

Kenji Midori
WKO President