August 2020 archive

This week in history (31 Aug – 6 Sep)

1 September On 1 September 1923 the plates to Gichin Funakoshi’s book “Ryukyu Kempo: Tode” were destroyed in the Great Kanto earthquake. The earthquake that hit the Japanese island of Honshu in 1923 was one of the most destructive ever recorded and resulted in a tsunami. The cities of Tokyo and Yokohama and the prefectures …

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Akio Nagai

Today Karate is too often practised as only a sport. But it is ‘not‘ a sport, it is a martial art in the way of life. If you only ever search for medals or winning tournaments with a few easy to learn techniques, you will never find out what ‘Karate-Do‘ through hard physical and mental …

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This week in history (24 Aug – 30 Aug)

24 August On 24 August 2000 Andy Hug died from breathing difficulties and multiple organ failure. He was only 35 years old. His death was reported on all the major news channels in Japan. He was survived by his wife Ilona and their son Seya. 25 August On 26 August 1941 Karate instructor and humanitarian, …

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Musings: Hyakunin Kumite – The Ultimate Challenge of Kyokushin Karate

Perhaps the most unique challenge in all of Karate is Kyokushin Karate’s Hyakunin Kumite or 100-man Kumite Challenge. Devised by Kyokushin Karate founder, Mas Oyama, the challenge is the ultimate mental and physical challenge, designed to test one’s spirit. Kenji Yamaki described the challenge as a transformative experience. Howard Collins said it was the hardest …

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Guusje van Mourik

The Dutch as a nation are well known for producing great footballers and Thai and Kickboxing champions. However, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Guusje van Mourik was a true superstar of European and World Karate. Described as a “phenomenon”. She was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for winning the most Karate …

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Wayne Otto

Our fight to become Olympians will never stop Wayne Otto The name Wayne Otto is synonymous with tournament success. Otto is one of the most successful fighters to come out of Britain. He has appeared in the Guinness Book of Records as having won the most Karate championship medals for a male competitor. Nicknamed the …

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George Best

I enjoy the mechanics of Kata. George Best George Best, not to be confused with the great Northern Irish footballer, is one of the most talented and successful kumite competitors of his generation. Blessed with speed, power and natural athletic ability, Best was known for his fast kicking techniques and the timing of his reverse …

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Kuniaki Sakagami

To me kata is very important, I know some people ignore or don’t even practice kata, but I do not think this is the right way, because kata teaches you speed, balance, and coordination. Kuniaki Sakagami Known as a top instructor, Kuniaki Sakagami was born in Toyohashi, Japan in 1944. Sakagami began learning Wado–ryu Karate …

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Hajime Kazumi

…. I started to think about the significance of Karate. I wanted to know what is Karate really. I began to question what I was doing; the way I was approaching this martial art. I now think that Karate is all about kata.  Hajime Kazumi Known for his devastating low kicks, Hajime Kazumi, was one …

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Frank Nowak

Quick gains create a big bright flush –and then burn-out in a short time. After that there is nothing to look forward to –just an empty shell – and the person will give up practice. But the practitioner whois properly guided and who works long, hard and steadily, – who looks deeply into the philosophy …

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