Dear Branch Chiefs and Contacts

Thank you all for your continuously hard work for our organization.

It is April, and the spring has come　(of course not in all parts of the world). 　Here in Japan, April means the start of a new school year as well as a new working year, and as most of you know, the sign of this season here in Japan are the cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms are extraordinary beautiful to watch, especially since they show up after a cold winter, and both the warm weather and these beautiful flowers give you a peaceful mind. The flowers last only for about the week after which they together with the wind falls of the tree like a flower snowfall. I hope that you all are enjoying this season.

The World Cup! Only three months left! The tournament draw has been done here in Japan, together with two of the Russians Branch Chiefs; Mr Ilyushkin, and Mr Khidirov. The Russian Branch Chiefs are working very close together with the preparations of the World Cup, and thanks to their hard efforts, the work is done without any problems and according to the planned schedule. The tournament draw is a fair draw that has been done taking the level of the competitors, balance of regions and so on into consideration. We have made a rank (from 1to4) between the seeded competitors based on previous results, skill and power, and they have been placed out fairly in the tournament draw. There will be a fair tournament, keeping a high level, with many great fights to watch. I am proud to say that this tournament will be of a very high quality. We will make an official announcement of the tournament draw soon, so please have some more patience, you will soon receive it. Shihan Yury Shabanov was supposed to attend this meeting as well, but unfortunately his health condition was not good, and he could not come to Japan. I hope that he will be well soon, and I would also like to ask all Branch Chiefs in Russia to take good care of your health this coming months.

The same goes for the competitors; you are representing your Region in this tournament, so please be careful with the time you have left, each day is important for you, and although you still have some months left with hard and severe training, you are close to your goal now, and you will be rewarded for your hard work.

Of course, as always, a WKO tournament is not only about competition, we will have our meetings such as Board Meeting, and General Assembly. I look forward to these meetings, since that is a great opportunity for you all to speak up, express your opinions and so on. Through these discussions, many creative ideas about our organization will come up, and if there is any special issue you would like to take up at the meeting, please write it down, and e-mail it to us before hand.

The world is facing an economic crisis which we still cannot see the end of it, there is also an increase of crimes in most countries. But let not the crisis influence our Way, let us continue to practice and train our mind and body, and remember that only be being strong yourself, you can help those who are in need of help.

Osu!
Kenji Midori

WKO President