Kenji Midori

Career

Midori was a student of Mas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin kaikan. 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 Akira Masuda to become the 5th Kyokushin Karate World Champion.

After the death of Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, the International Karate Organization (IKO) initially broke into three groups, one of which is known as IKO-2, initially led by Yukio Nishida. After Nishida resigned, he was succeeded by Keiji Sanpei, who was in turn succeeded by Yasuhiro Shichinohe and then eventually Kenji Midori. Under Midoris leadership the organization formally changed its name to NPO World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai in 2003. Today, Midori holds the position of Daihyo (President) of the WKO Shinkyokushinkai (新極真会).

Tournament achievements

5th Kyokushin Karate World Tournament 1991 – Champion

4th Kyokushin Karate World Tournament 1987 – Last 16 (Lost to Michael 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 (Lost to Andy Hug)

Kenji Midori is the greatest Kyokushin fighter, he is a multiple champion of Japan and the worid in Kyokushin karate in lightweight, became a champion in theabsolut weight category. He had to fight with opponents almost twice as heavy as him and two heads taller. Midori has an amazing technique of striking in a jump, for this reason, high opponents are not a problem for him.