On this day….(March 14)

On this day, 14th March 1946, Michael Billman, a high ranking karate administrator, was born in the East End of London.

At school, Billman had been a keen rugby player having trials with the Saracens Rugby Club. On leaving school he took up amateur boxing. In 1969 he began his karate training at a club run by John Van Weenan in Tottenham, London.

Billman has trained with many top senseis. In 1973 he earned his 1st Dan from Hirokazu Kanazawa. In 1976 he earned his 2nd Dan from Masao Kawasoe. In 1979 he became one of the first karateka to be graded to 3rd Dan by Sadashige Kato. In 2008 he received his 8th Dan from the World Karate Federation.

Billman has held major positions in English, British, European and World Karate. These include:

• President of the English Karate Federation(EKF)
• Vice President of the British Karate Federation (BKF)
• Chairman of the European Karate Federation Technical Commission
• Member of the World Technical Commission
• Member World Karate Federation Disciplinary and Legal Commission
• At the request of WKF Technical Commission Chairman, Tsuguo Sakumoto, served on the World Sports Commission.