If you don't give up, your dreams will come true Book by Kenji Midori

Midori Kenji made his name known by becoming the first ever lightweight open-weight champion at the Kyokushin Karate World Championship. As the representative director of the World Karate-Do Shinkyokushinkai, this book contains the glorious footsteps of this rare leader who stands at the head of an organization with over 100,000 members in 106 countries and regions around the world, and his passionate message to future karatekas.

This book is a chronicle of Midori Kenji's footsteps as a karateka and his martial arts philosophy. Midori Kenji is the representative director of the World Karate-Do Shinkyokushinkai, the head of an organization with over 100,000 members in 106 countries and regions around the world, and was the first ever lightweight open-weight world champion during his active career. It is also a book that will be a passionate cheer for young karatekas from childhood to adolescence who aim to become world champions in karate.

The author, Midori Kenji, was born in Amami Oshima in 1962. Although he was small in stature, the young Midori was extremely competitive and was strongly influenced by the manga Karate Baka Ichidai, which was based on the founder of Kyokushin Karate, Sosai Oyama Masutatsu. Hoping to become stronger and beat opponents bigger than him, Midori went to Tokyo when he entered high school and enrolled at the Kyokushin Kaikan Jonan branch (headed by Hiroshige Tsuyoshi). Although he improved his skills rapidly after that, he also experienced setbacks such as losses in matches and injuries. This book depicts how he overcame these challenges with the help of the words of his sensei who continued to watch over him, and the presence of his friends.

The author eventually learned the "spirit of Kyokushin" through direct instruction from Sosai Oyama Masutatsu, and aimed to reach even greater heights by challenging himself in world championships. He eventually won the 5th World Karate Championship, becoming the first lightweight open-weight champion in history.

In this book, Midori traces the author's glorious journey and portrays his strong belief that "never giving up" is the most important thing not only in karate but in life. He also explains why Shinkyokushinkai, which has the philosophy of "mastering the mind," is committed to youth development, international exchange, and social contribution activities, and preaches that being truly "strong" leads to true "kindness." This book is filled with passionate messages from the author, not only for future karatekas, but also for today's lost young people.

About the Author Midori Kenji:

Born in 1962 on Amami Oshima, Kagoshima Prefecture. Began training at the Kyokushin Kaikan Jonan branch in 1978. Won the 2nd All Japan Karate Championships (weight classes) (1985) and the 4th All Japan Karate Championships (weight classes) (1987). Received the Fighting Spirit Award at the 17th All Japan Karate Championships (open weight class, 1985). Finished in the best 16 at the 4th World Karate Championships (open weight class, 1987). In 1988, he was offered by Sosai Oyama Masutatsu a place at the Kyokushin Switzerland Championships, which led to his return to active competition. The following year, he was runner-up at the All Japan Championships. Won the 5th World Karate Championships (open weight class, 1991), becoming the first lightweight athlete in history to become an open weight world champion. Retired after the tournament.

After retiring, he trained the next generation at the Amami Oshima and Fukuoka branches. In 2000, he became the representative director of the International Karate-do Federation Kyokushinkai. In 2003, the name was changed to the World Karate Federation Shinkyokushinkai. He continues to serve as the representative director. Currently, 106 countries are members. In 2013, he became the chairman of the All Japan Fullcontact Karate Federation (JFKO), a public interest incorporated association. In 2025, he will host the 1st World Full contact Karate Championship as the first chairman of the World Full contact Karate Federation (WFKO).

Length: 256 pages

Language: Japanese

Publication date: 2025