Osu

Dear Kancho’s and Shihan’s,
The World Kumite Organization is growing everyday, bigger and better! After discussions with the advisors to the WKO, we have decided to implement the following, as our tournament format.

This year due to the economical climate, we will be holding both the Middle Weight and Open Weight divisions on the same day (9^th March, 2010) at the same venue as last year, at the "Ambassador City Hotel and Resort Thailand".

Every 2 years, we will be having the World Tournament for the World Kumite Organization Championships like we had in 2008 and every other year such as this year we will be holding the World Kumite Organization-World Cup. The World Cup still uses the same rules system and judging system as the World Tournament, however with selected fighters.

Each Executive Member Shihan will be allowed to put only their best fighter in the Open Weight division and their best fighter in their Middle Weight division into the tournament.

The WKO will pay for air tickets , accommodation and breakfast for 5 days for these 2 fighters (1 Middleweight and 1 Openweight) plus the Shihan.

Each Shihan will be allowed to enter 1 extra fighter in each division, however, the WKO will only cover the cost of the accommodation and breakfast for these additional fighters.

The success of the video distribution has been amazing and even 1 year after the 2008 Championships, people are still ordering this online.

Some say that the standard of fighters in the 2008 tournament was second to none and amongst the best rated production and tournament in the world. It's up to you the Shihans to ensure that your fighters are the best in these divisions to ensure the standard is of the best in the world.

The WKO also wishes to thank those Shihans who are bringing extra fighters to the world cup ,we wish to in advance humbly thank you for your support. The more fighters the better , however due to sponsorship restrictions and budget we need your help.

Grade Certification.

As most of you are aware the WKO is a no political organization and made up of many different systems and styles. We have been asked by some Shihans to hold gradings for members. This is impossible as we all come from different styles, however as you are aware that the World Kumite Organization does underwrite grades of its members and their senior students, providing documentation can be provided proving their grades from their individual organizations.

The Hombu

The Hombu has been a great success due to the support of the shihans. Shihan Hazigawa , and Shihan Shugihara are regular visitors and teachers at the Hombu along with Shihan George Kolovis , Shihan Gong Han. Running the center is Sifu McInnes , Sensei Judd Reid , and Christina Smith.

As of the 1st of August 2009 classes are full and can be seen on the www.world-kumite.org website by just clicking on webcam on the menu bar . The time table is as follows;

Mon, Wed , Fri : Children 6pm to 7 pm (Thai time)
Mon, Wed , Fri : Adults all grades 6;30 pm to 8 pm (Thai time)
Wed: Shodan and up (instructors only), 8pm to 9pm (Thai time):
Mon to Sat: Boxing and Muay Thai, 3:30 to 5pm: (Thai time)
Mon to Sun: Weight Gym 7 days, 8am to 10pm (tThai time)

Hall of Fame

The WKO this year will be introducing a Hall of Fame for Masters and Martial Artists whom have dedicated their lives to the way of Budo. The Shihan will decide on nominees as to who is accepted each year to the Hall of fame, each year the executive committee will select three nominees to be inducted to the hall of fame.

Please submit your Nominees to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before the 30th of July 2009.

Yearly Calendar

The World Kumite Organization has produced a 2009 Calendar which we will post to each Shihan along with the New T-shirt Sample for the 2009 World Cup.

Please can you email your current up to date email and postal address to www.world-kumite.org so as we can update our database and send you the new calendars along with your complementary DVD of last years tournament.

Urgent

Please can you get your applications for fighters in as fast as you possibly can, ready for the printing and the pre-production graphics for TV and video as last year many fighters and Shihan’s were left off the booklet due to the late entries.

We at the WKO understand that this year is a very hard year economically all around the world, we hope and pray that the unity of Budo and Martial Arts holds us all on a good and steady platform to continue to teach and pass on the knowledge of the arts we so love.

Regards,

Sifu Robert McInnes
Acting President World Kumite Organization