Kenji Midori
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese Shinkyokushin and Kyokushin
fighter. Midori is a student of Masutatsu Oyama
, the founder of Kyokushin Karate. Midori eventually assumed leadership of the WKO Shinkyokushinkai to focus on improving knockdown Karate (Fighting Karate).
He lost in the 4th World Tournament to British Michael Thompson. After the 4th World Tournament, Midori went on to claim his third All Japan Weight title and reached the final of the All Japan Tournament.
Four years later, Midori entered the 5th World Tournament, where he defeated the reigning All Japan Champion Masuda to become the 5th Kyokushin Karate World Champion.
After the death of Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, the International Karate Organization
initially broke into three groups, one of which is known as World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai, initially led by Yukio Nishida. After Nishida resigned, he was succeeded by Keiji Sanpei, who was in turn succeeded by Yasuhiro Shichinoh and then eventually Kenji Midori. Under Midoris leadership the organization formally changed its name to WKO Shinkyokushinkai in 2003. Today, Midori holds the position of Kancho (President) of the WKO Shinkyokushinkai.
Kyokushin
is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master, who was born under the name Choi Young-Eui . Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth". Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training...
fighter. Midori is a student of Masutatsu Oyama
Masutatsu Oyama
, more commonly known as Mas Oyama, was a karate master who founded Kyokushinkai Karate, considered the first and most influential style of full contact karate. He was born Choi Yeong-eui . A Zainichi Korean, he spent most of his life living in Japan and acquired Japanese citizenship in 1964...
, the founder of Kyokushin Karate. Midori eventually assumed leadership of the WKO Shinkyokushinkai to focus on improving knockdown Karate (Fighting Karate).
He lost in the 4th World Tournament to British Michael Thompson. After the 4th World Tournament, Midori went on to claim his third All Japan Weight title and reached the final of the All Japan Tournament.
Four years later, Midori entered the 5th World Tournament, where he defeated the reigning All Japan Champion Masuda to become the 5th Kyokushin Karate World Champion.
After the death of Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, the International Karate Organization
International Karate Organization
The International Karate Organization was founded by Mas Oyama in Japan. Its purpose is to promote and teach the Kyokushin Way around the globe...
initially broke into three groups, one of which is known as World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai, initially led by Yukio Nishida. After Nishida resigned, he was succeeded by Keiji Sanpei, who was in turn succeeded by Yasuhiro Shichinoh and then eventually Kenji Midori. Under Midoris leadership the organization formally changed its name to WKO Shinkyokushinkai in 2003. Today, Midori holds the position of Kancho (President) of the WKO Shinkyokushinkai.
Career
- 18 April 1962: Born in Amami OshimaAmami Oshimais a semi-tropical island in the Amami Islands, which is part of the larger Nansei Islands in Japan. Ōshima literally means big island, and it is the largest of the Amami Islands. It lies roughly halfway between the islands of Okinawa and Kyūshū. Briefly part of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, in 1624 it was...
, Kagoshima PrefectureKagoshima Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...
, Japan - 1978: Began training in Kyokushin Karate
- April 1980: 5th place at the 1st Chiba Prefectural Tournament
- August 1983: 3rd place at the 1st Nishi-Nihon (Western Japan) Tournament
- April 1984: Best 8 at the 1st All Japan Weight Division Tournament – Mens Lightweight
- June 1985: 1st Place at the 2nd All Japan Weight Division Tournament – Mens Lightweight
- November 1985: 5th Place and Best Fighting Sprit Award at the 17th All Japan Tournament
- June 1987: 1st Place at the 4th All Japan Weight Division Tournament – Mens Lightweight
- November 1987: Best 16 and Best Technique Award at the 4th Kyokushin Karate World Tournament
- September 1988: 2nd Place at the International Tournament in Switzerland
- June 1990: 1st Place at the 7th All Japan Weight Division Tournament – Mens Lightweight
- December 1990: 2nd Place at the 22nd All Japan Tournament
- November 1991: 1st Place at the 5th Kyokushin Karate World Tournament
- March 2000: Became President of NPO Kyokushin Kaikan
- March 2001: Became President of NPO International Karate Organization
- November 2002: Promoted to 6th Dan on 26 November 2002
- October 2003: IKO changed WKO (World Karate Organization)
- June 2010: Promoted to 7th Dan on the WKO Grading Committee
Record
- 5th Kyokushin Karate World Tournament 1991 – Champion
- 4th Kyokushin Karate World Tournament 1987 – Last 16 (Lost to Thompson)
- 22nd All Japan Tournament 1990 – 2nd place
- 17th All Japan Tournament 1985 – 5th place
- 7th All Japan Weight Tournament 1990 – Champion
- 4th All Japan Weight Tournament 1987 – Champion
- 2nd All Japan Weight Tournament 1985 – Champion
- Sursee Cup 1988 – 2nd place