24 maart 2009

Dear IBK member,
 
It is now three years since Kaicho Bluming asked me to become the Kancho of his IBK and, when the time right, to be his successor.
These last three years have past so quickly, but I want to look back at what I have managed to do during this period. I began my work with the IBK without any illusions to make it the greatest union in the world with the sole intention to make it as Kaicho Bluming would like to have it.

His own keywords are “family, friendship, loyalty and honesty”.

For certain there has been, and still are those that would like nothing better than to see me fail in this endeavour, sadly, this is common in the Budo world. I know some would say “he is too young, he does not have the experience, he is not a great master, not the best fighter” - Please hear me when I say that I knew then and it is even more clear to me now that I am not Sosai Oyama (there can, of course, only ever be one Sosai the one and only founder of Kyokushin).
Also believe me that I know I not Kaicho Jon Bluming either (the one and only founder of the IBK and the All Round system that he was already developing in the 1960’s).

No, not them (for they are legends in their own right) or anyone else for that matter… But I do want to be the Kancho of the IBK in my own way and lead as MYSELF using my own skills and experience where I know it will give the best results and where there are others in the IBK possessing different skills and experience in areas I lack, then I will have no hesitation in asking them to help and support me on my long journey that being the Kancho of the IBK calls for. This road we travel on is rich with the history of our founder, Kyokushin, Judo and MMA.

This last year or so has been so hard to be a leader while having the hardest and most painful time in business and my private life (I have heard of those that were happy about this and were hoping that I would give up).
Now, looking back it is wonderful to have all these things come to light, because I have found out who my true friends are and learnt from my earlier mistakes and grown much stronger because of them “out of the darkness comes light!”
These past three years have made my life more complete, and I now feel more qualified to do a better job than before and to make Kaicho proud that he made the right choice in trusting me with this job.

I want to extend my personal thanks to all those that have supported and worked closely with my family and me.
 

With the greatest of respect

OSU,  

Kancho Henk Kuipers 8th Dan