Category: General

This week in history (19 October – 25 October)

20 October On 20 October 1972, Kyokushin legend, Howard Collins competed in the 4th All Japan Open Karate Tournament. He made it to the final where he lost to Miyuki Miura. On 20 October 1982, martial arts historian, Donald Frederick “Donn” Draeger died from cancer at the Veteran’s Hospital located in Milwaukee. He was buried …

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Yoshinao Nanbu

…. As in any other martial arts, the fighter is only as good as they make themselves. Success will depend on the amount of effort personally expended. Some people make good fighters and some people do not. My method is similar to other martial arts – it contains the knowledge, the methods and skills, some …

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Bobby Lowe

The ABC of Karate is the basis of kihon. And a lot in the technique depends on kihon. If you know the ABC, you can write words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and then books. Bobby Lowe Known as the ‘Instructor’s Instructor‘, Bobby Lowe was Mas Oyama’s oldest and most senior student. He was Oyama’s first uchi-deshi …

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This week in history (12 October – 18 October)

12 October On 12 October 1939, American Shotokan pioneer, James Field was born in Sandy Bay, Jamaica. He and his family emigrated to the United States. James Field was one of the first four Americans certified to teach Shotokan Karate in the United States. A technical martial artist, he was also a successful competitor. On …

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Manzo Iwata

One of Shito-ryu founder, Kenwa Mabuni’s top students, Manzo Iwata was a phenomenal martial artist, who was a long time member of the Federation of All Japan Karate-do Organisation (FAJKO). A well-respected Shito-ryu master, he was known for his superb technical ability. Manzo Iwata was born on 9 February 1924, in Tokyo, Japan. He was …

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Hideyuki Ashihara

A direct student of Mas Oyama, Hideyuki Ashihara was known as a phenomenal fighter. However, it was at an instructor that he had the biggest impact. Students would travel from miles just to train with him. Hideyuki Ashihara was born on 5 December 1944 near the city of Hiroshima, Japan. He was raised by his …

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This week in history (5 October – 11 October)

5 October On 5 October 1955 Guusje van Mourik, one of the most successful kumite competitors, was born in the Central Netherlands town of Zeist. Her early exposure to the martial arts was through the sport of Judo. She would eventually receive the grade of 2nd Dan. She competed in the Dutch Championships and won …

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This week in history (28 Sep – 4 Oct)

28 September On 28 September 1897, Shinkin Gima was born in Shuri, Okinawa. Growing up he studied Karate under both Yasutsune Itosu and Kentsu Yabu before attending university in Tokyo. In 1922 he met and began training with Gichin Funakoshi. He was Funakoshi’s first black belt and would eventually reach the rank of 10th Dan. …

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Mas Tsuroka

I have seen the best Karate. All that really matters is what kind of human being you are. Mas Tsuroka Rightly known as the ‘Father of Canadian Karate‘ Mas Tsuroka did a lot to establish Karate in Canada. Many instructors teaching Karate in Canada today, can trace their lineage back to Tsuroka. Masami Tsuroka was …

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This week in history (21 Sep – 27 Sep)

21 September On 21 September 1980 Ronnie Christopher was promoted to 1st Dan by Keinosuke Enoeda. One of the best competitors of his generation, Christopher won numerous titles nationally and internationally. He was part of the British team that won the 1990 Shoto Cup in Sunderland, England, defeating the previously undefeated Japan in the team …

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