January 2021 archive

Masaaki Ueki

Always remember the mind and body are one. Masaaki Ueki Masatoshi Nakayama, the former Chief Instructor of the JKA, once wrote of Masaaki Ueki: The hands and feet of Masaaki Ueki are worth watching, for they are very fast and truly sharp. It is not surprising that many opponents have been defeated. Masaaki Ueki’s technique …

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Shigeru Oyama

Fear is part of being human. All people feel fear sometimes. I don’t feel it very often, but when I do feel afraid or nervous, I keep a poker face. I hide my emotions, and I fight harder. Shigeru Oyama A pioneer of Kyokushin Karate in the United States, Shigeru Oyama, was one of Mas …

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Masao Kawasoe

Most people don’t understand the central role the hips have to play in Karate. Karate is about the hips first and then the other parts of the body coming into play picking up energy along the way. Masao Kawasoe The former Chief Instructor of the JKA, Masatoshi Nakayama, once said of Masao Kawasoe: Through his …

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This week in history (25 January – 31 January)

25 January On 25 January 2000, Kyokushin Karate legend, Hiroki Kurosawa made his kickboxing debut in the K-1 Kickboxing promotion. K-1 was the brainchild of Kazuyoshi Ishii and was designed to promote the best stand-up martial artists. In his debut, Kurosawa faced American Maecus Ruiz, who he knocked out in just 56 seconds. 26 January …

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Sonny Chiba

One could be forgiven for thinking of Sonny Chiba as only an actor, who has appeared in more than 125 feature films. Like Bruce Lee, he became one of the first martial arts actors to receive international acclaim for his movie roles. However, he is a legitimate martial artist, holding black belts in Karate, Judo, …

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Miyuki Miura

Miyuki Miura was one of Mas Oyama’s top students. He was one of the first people to complete the gruelling 100-man Kumite Challenge. He was also a pioneer of Kyokushin Karate in the United States. On 3 October 1949, Miyuki Miura was born in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He was the oldest of three …

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Yoshizo Machida

Always, whenever possible, stop thinking negatively, always think positively, be faithful and then your life will start to change for the better. Yoshizo Machida One of the most respected Karate Masters in Brazil, Yoshizo Machida has helped develop Shotokan Karate in the country. He has passed on his love of Karate to his sons. Yoshizo …

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This week in history (18 January – 24 January)

20 January On 20 January 1909 Gōju-ryu legend, Gōgen Yamaguchi, was born. Nicknamed the Cat, he was famed for his feline-like speed and prowess.Yamaguchi was a direct student of Gōju-ryu Karate founder, Chojun Miyagi. He began training with him in 1929. On 20 January 1938 Cyril Cummins, a pioneer of Shotokan in Central England, was …

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Terutomo Yamazaki

I don’t do professional Karate. I think that makes martial arts dirty. Terutomo Yamazaki Nicknamed the ‘Dragon of Kyokushin‘, Terutomo Yamazaki was an exceptional fighter. He was known for his expertise in tameshiwara (board breaking). A highly respected teacher, he has taught the likes of Katsuaki Sato, Miyuki Miura, Seiji Isobe, Howard Collins, and Shokei …

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Tomohiro Arashiro

Not just kata, not just kumite, both. Tomohiro Arashiro An ambassador of the Okinawan Karate style of Ryuei-Ryu, Tomohiro Arashiho has helped build it from a family-style practised in Okinawa to a style practised internationally. Tomohiro Arashiro was born on 15 July 1954 in Naga City, Okinawa. His father was a farmer. Growing up he …

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