A short interview of Midori Daihyo on the world tournament
On 10/13 and 10/14, the 9th World Open Karate Tournament of Shinkyokushinkai, also known as the “Karate Olympics” which is held in every four years, will be held in the Tokyo Taikukan.
In additon to the biggest threat to Japan, Vareri Dimitrov, many of the strongest foreign fighters have joined this tournament as in the past. Can the team of three aces of Japan, Tsukamoto Norichika, Suzuki Kunihiro and Tsukagoshi Takayuki, retain the champion title in Japan?
We have asked the champion of the 5th World Tournament, Representative Kenji Midori, about what to see in this tournament.
“The tournament draw is finally decided. Looking at the tournament draw, there is no doubt that it will be very high level with strong fighters. I believe that the draw was made fair(non biased) for everyone, which means it will be a hard tournament for everyone.”
“In many types of Budo Kakutogi Japan has lost. Needless to say in Kakutogi, many of the Yokozuna are foreigners. The champion throne of Kendo, which Japan has kept for so many years, is now in foreign hands.
Fortunately in Shinkyokushinkai, from the 1st to the 8th, the champion of the open weight World Tournament is always a Japanese. As the motherland of Budo Karate, Japan must absolutely keep this title.”
“For this time, the foreign fighters who we should pay most attention to are Vareri Dimitrov and Donatas Imbras. In order to retain the title within Japan, these two persons must be stopped at all costs.”
“The tournament draw is decided according to the past records of the fighters. As I have said in the beginning I hope a strong trial is awaiting everyone.
I hope all male and female fighters will swear to themselves that they will not be defeated until they meet a Japanese and also stop all foreign fighters in their block.”
“There are many young fighters and fighters who fight in a world tournament for the first time. Even if a fighter meets Vareri or Donatas I want him to have a will to defeat them both by himself and not counting on anyone. You cannot win against strong foreigners if you just think to fight well. I wish there will be a new hero with a strong will who thinks to himself "I'm going to win this definitely. I'll stop the champions.".
“I hope people who have been the experience of being a world champion like Tsukamoto and Suzuki will put extra efforts into capturing the world title again. I hope that people that follow them like Tsukagoshi, Nemoto and Kuno can truly aim at the world title. I hope young fighters come here not to gain memories but to fight with the pride of a Japanese representative.”
“The first Women’s World Tournament will be held at the same time. The foreign power in women’s section is even stronger than that in the men’s. Szövetes Veronika is absolutely the number one favorite. However I hope fighters fight with the idea that “We are both humans, it is not impossible to win! I hope I can.”. I hope with a full audience attendance in Tokyo Taikukan, both the male and female titles can be won. I would like the winners to give the supporters courage.
“Hard and tough days of training for the fighters will continue a little longer. However a day of rest must be taken in each week. At other days, even when they are sleeping, they must be thinking about “How can I win?”. We must always put pressure on ourselves to defend the title for Japan and everyone must think about winning. Gambatte Kudasai.”
All members of the country and fans please come and support the fighters at Tokyo Taikukan. With the support of audiences, fighters can survive all painful scenes in the competition and fight till the end. And please be touched by their fighting. See you in Tokyo Taikukan on 10/13 and 10/14. OSU!”
This is an interview from a Kakutogi website "gbring".
Original Japanese version at: GBR Shinkyokushin World Tournament.
Japaner dürfen nicht verlieren...
Zitat von Adrién Dubois
