Patrick Donkor

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This week in history (9 May – 15 May)

9 May Between 9 – 12 May at the 48th European Karate Championships was held in Budapest, Hungry, Rafael Aghayev returned to his winning ways. He defeated Dutchman, RenĂ© Smaal in the final of the -75 kg kumite event. 10 May On 10 May 1957, the founder of Shotokan Karate, Gichin Funakoshi, was laid to …

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This week in history (2 May – 8 May)

2 May On 2 May 1967, the 2nd European Championships were held at the Crystal Palace, London. Brian Fitkin was selected to be a member of the British team, even though he was a green belt. Britain defeated a powerful French team in the Team Kumite event. During the tournament, the 20-year-old Fitkin defeated a …

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This week in history (25 April – 1 May)

25 April On 25 April 1888, Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu Karate, was born in Naha, Okinawa. 26 April On 26 April 1957, Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, died in a Tokyo hospital, aged 88. His family and close student Shigeru Egami were at his bedside. On 26 April 1965, a touring …

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This week in history (18 April – 24 April)

18 April On 18 April 1962, Kyokushin Karate legend, Kenji Midori was born in Amami Oshima, Japan, to a wealthy family. Standing at around 5’4″ (1.6 m) in height, Kenji Midori is known as the “Little Giant“. He became the first lightweight competitor to win Kyokushin Karate’s World Tournament, where all his opponents were considerably …

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On this day….(February 27)

On 27 February 1948, Terence (Terry) O’Neill, one of the best karateka ever produced in Britain, was born in Liverpool, England. O’Neill began his Karate training in 1963 when as a 16-year-old he lied about his age, on his application to join the British Karate Federation (BKF). Under Keinosuke Enoeda and the JKA, he earned his …

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On this day….(February 26)

On 26 February 1946 Brian Fitkin, a Kyokushin practitioner, was born in London. Fighting at heavyweight, Brian Fitkin was described by legend Steve Arneil as being like “a Stalking Tiger“. Considered one of the best all-around fighters to come out of the UK, Fitkin was a natural fighter who could fight with control or go …

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On this day….(February 24)

On 24 February 1941, Shotokan master, Masahiko Tanaka, was born in Tokyo, Japan. Known for his great skill in kumite, Tanaka, a long-time member of the JKA, won the 1st and 2nd IAKF World Karate Championships held in Los Angeles and Bremen. He also won the JKA All-Japan Individual kumite on two occasions. On 24 February …

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On this day….(February 23)

On 23 February 1966, Edward Whitcher and Robert Williams of the British Karate Federation’s London dojo are graded to 1st kyu by Hirokazu Kanazawa. They were the first students in Britain to be graded to 1st kyu by the Japan Karate Association (JKA).

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On this day….(February 22)

On 22 February 1964, Hiroo Mochizuki, representing Yoseikan Karate, arrived in the UK for a three-day visit. He was invited by the British Karate Federation (BKF) to conduct lessons at their London and York dojos. He also conducted a grading at the York dojo.

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On this day….(February 21)

On 21 February 1956, the earliest known letter is written by Vernon Bell to Henri Plee. It is believed that Bell wrote to the FĂ©dĂ©ration Française de KaratĂ© on becoming affiliated with them. On 21 February 1995, Steve Cattle died following an epileptic fit. He was only 47 years old. Until his untimely death, Cattle was one …

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