Jul 17 2018
A member of Black Belt Magazine’s Hall of Fame, former marine, Gary Alexander is a pioneer of martial arts in the United States.An Isshinryu Karate practitioner, he began training with the legendary Don Nagle, a student of Isshiryu founder, Tatsuo Shimabuku. Nicknamed the “Hammer”, Alexander faced challengers from other Karate styles and remained undefeated from …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/cover-star-gary-alexander/
Jul 16 2018
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 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 was not an official representative of the JKA …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-16-july-22-july/
Jul 09 2018
9 July On 9 July 1943 Chief Instructor of the KUGB, Andy Sherry, was born. Sherry is one of the highest ranked Shotokan practitioners in the United Kingdom, having been one of the first people awarded a JKA 1st Dan in Britain in 1966 by Keinosuke Enoeda. Now a 9th Dan and one of the most senior Shotokan Karate-ka in …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-9-july-15-july/
Jul 02 2018
2 July On 2 July 2013 Shoei Miyazato, a Kobayashi Shorin-ryu master and early student of Katsuya Miyahira (the successor to Chosin Chibana), died aged 85 years. Although born in Okinawa, Miyazato attended elementary and high school in Osaka, Japan. As it was during the 2nd World War he had to undergo mandatory training in Kendo, Judo and military affairs. At the age of …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-2-july-8-july/
Jun 25 2018
25 June On 25 June 1959 the first written correspondence between Vernon Bell and head of Yoseikan Karate, Minoru Mochizuki took place. Mochizuki had first come to France in the early 1950s to conduct a number of training sessions in Judo and Aikido. All correspondence between Mochizuki and Bell had previously gone through Henri Plee. It was through Plee that Bell had the opportunity …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-25-june-1-july/
Jun 18 2018
On 18 June 1938 former European and World kata champion, Luca Valdesi, was born in Palermo, Sicily. Valdesi is widely regarded as one of the greatest tournament kata competitors. He is a 22-time European Champion and 6-time World Champion in individual and team kata. His performances are characterized by his strength and rhythm. Away from tournament karate, Luca …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-18-june-24-june/
Jun 11 2018
On 12 June 1965 Hirokazu Kanazawa took his first teaching trip outside of London to the British Karate Federation’s (BKF) Liverpool dojo. The trip lasted from the 12th to 19th of June. Kanazawa’s teaching schedule included teaching on the Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On the weekdays he taught from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. During his visit Kanazawa …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-11-june-17-june/
Jun 04 2018
On 3 June 1922 the earliest known Japanese newspaper article on Karate was published in the Tokyo Nichinichi Shinbun. The title of the article was “The Mystical Martial Art – Karate: (Chinese Fist) from Ryukyu (Okinawa Prefecture). Wonderful Technique to Defend from an Opponent with Bare Hands. Kodokan to Study“. ******************************************** On 3 June 1959 the final known letter between …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-4-june-10-june/
May 28 2018
On 28 May 1952 Clive Layton, a prolific author on Karate, was born. Layton began training in Shotokan Karate under Michael Randall ,Chris Adamou, and Nick Adamou. In 1977 he received his 1st Dan from Hirokazu Kanazawa. His books [amazon text=Shotokan Dawn: Vol 1 %26 2&asin=0955512204] detail the beginnings of Karate in Britain under Vernon Bell. On …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-28-may-3-june/
May 21 2018
On 23 May 1952 the founder of the Shito-ryu style of Karate, Kenwa Mabuni, died aged 63. Mabuni trained under two of Okinawa’s greatest masters, Anko Itosu and Kanryo Higaonna. His style of Karate combined the linear techniques of Itosu with the circular movements of Higaonna. In the 1920s Mabuni frequently traveled to Osaka, Japan where …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-21-may-27-may/
Recent Comments