Category: General

This week in history…(14 August – 20 August)

14 August On 14 August 1934, the founder of American Goju-Ryu Karate, Peter George Urban, was born in Jersey City, USA. Serving in the US Navy Urban was stationed in Yokohama, Japan. In 1953 he began studying Karate as a student of Richard Kim. In 1954 he was transferred to Tokyo. There he was introduced …

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This week in history…(7 August – 13 August)

7 August On 7 August 1946, Leo Lipinski was born in Durban, South Africa. One of the highest-ranked non-Japanese JKF (Japan Karate Federation) Gojukai, Leo Lipinski was known for his exceptional kumite. He was never afraid to express his views, but he firmly believed in hard work over talent. 9 August On 9 August 1945, …

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Kazuyuki Hasegawa

In Sosai’s time, the best fighters were always Japanese. But in recent years, we have seen how other countries have been bringing out very good fighters. Kazuyuki Hasegawa Known as the “Little Giant“, Katsuyuki Hasegawa was an exceptionally powerful fighter. Standing 5 ft 6 in, he was known for his footsweeps, body kicks, and follow-up …

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This week in history…(31 July – 6 August)

31 July On 31 July 1937, former JKA Grand Champion, Hiroshi Shirai, was born in Nagasaki, Japan. Currently holding the rank of 9th Dan, he began his Karate training at Komazawa University in 1955. A graduate of the Kenshusei (Instructors Training Course) he became the JKA Grand Champion in 1962 winning the individual kumite title …

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Shinji Tanaka

To strive for a certain fluidity in your technique, it is very important to perform slowly and accurately. Shinji Tanaka A 9-time SKIF Japan Champion, Shinji Tanaka is a much-in-demand international instructor. An instructor at the SKIF Hombu, he is known for his immense technical ability. Shinji Tanaka was born in December 1967, in Kansai, …

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Gary Spiers

An instructor must instill the attitude… “My life is in jeopardy – I must finish this man (or men) here in now!” Gary Spiers A larger-than-life character, Gary Spiers was one of the earliest exponents of practical applied Karate in the United Kingdom. He was a no-nonsense martial artist who used Karate as a tool …

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This week in history…(24 July – 30 July)

25 July Between 25 and 27 July 1981, the Karate event took place at Santa Clara University, at the 1st World Games held in Santa Clara, California. Tokey Hill won a bronze medal in the Men’s Individual -80kg Kumite event. Yukiyoshi Marutani defeated teammate, Seiji Nishimura, to win the bronze medal in the Men’s Individual …

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Yasuaki Nagatomo

To truly learn Karate, I believe students need to focus on three things: How to see, when to see, what to see. If they don’t know how to see, they can never learn. If they don’t know when to see, they miss the timing; they never can learn. If they know how to see and …

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Anthony Mirakian

Unfortunately, much of the essence and spirit of traditional Karate has been lost. Since the advent of Karate championships, many practitioners are competing to win at any cost. This approach is not the traditional aim of Okinawan Goju–Ryu Karate-do. Anthony Mirakian A pioneer of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate in the United States, Anthony Mirakian was an …

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This week in history…(17 July – 23 July)

18 July On 18 July 1959, Tetsuji Murakami made his first-ever visit to England to teach for the British Karate Federation (BKF). He also conducted a number of gradings at 12 Maybush Road, Hornchurch, Essex. On 18 July 1963, Vernon Bell received a letter from his German counterpart, Jurgen Seydel, informing him that Tetsuji Murakami …

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