John Taylor

It’s been a long journey, but but an enjoyable one John Taylor One of the highest-ranked Karate practitioners in Australia, John Taylor was at the forefront of Kyokushin development in Australia. He was one of the first uchi-deshi (live-in students) of Mas Oyama. John Taylor was born on 7 June 1941. He emigrated to Australia …

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Minoru Kawawada

Karate is for your whole life, so your Karate must evolve to match who you are today. Minoru Kawawada Although he may not be as well known as some other JKA masters, Minoru Kawawada was a longtime instructor at the JKA Hombu. For many years he went about his task of teaching excellent Karate to …

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This week in history…(3 April – 9 April)

5 April On 5 April 1870 founder of Motobu Ryu, Chōki Motobu, was born in Okinawa. Motobu was the third son of a noble family. As the third son, he was not allowed to learn the family martial art of Motobu Udundi. This meant he trained under various Okinawan masters such as Anko Itosu, and Sokon Matsumura. A …

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This week in history…(27 March – 1 April)

28 March On 28 March 2009, Jacques Legree helped organise the 23rd Martial Arts Festival at Paris Bercy. The festival, an annual event, had 18,000 spectators in attendance. The event was organised by Karate Bushido Magazine. This year it was held in conjunction with a small Kyokushin tournament. 29 March On 29 March 1965, the …

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This week in history…(20 March – 26 March)

20 March On 20 March 1928, Gichin Funakoshi gave a Karate display, with fifteen of his students. It was by Imperial invitation at the Palace grounds of Sainei-kan. On 20 March 1955, The Japan Karate Association (JKA) was founded. Masatoshi Nakayama was appointed the Chief Instructor and Masatomo Takagi was appointed Secretary of the JKA. …

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This week in history…(13 March – 19 March)

13 March On 13 March 1957, Vernon Bell was awarded his black belt in Yoseikan Karate from the Fédération Française de Karaté, under Hiroo Mochizuki and Henri Plee. Bell had started training with Plee towards the end of 1955. He had made frequent visits to Plee’s Paris dojo. After around eighteen months he graded for his 1st Dan. Bell …

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Viv Nash

… It’s my view that competition means rules, regulations, etc, in reality there can be no rules in Karate, one must use all and any technique to win or survive. Viv Nash A talented boxer and well-respected martial artist, Viv Nash was at the forefront of Shotokai practice in England, particularly in the Plymouth area. …

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This week in history…(6 March – 12 March)

6 March On 6 March 1921, Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, led a Karate demonstration in front of Crown Prince Hirohito. The demonstration was performed at the Great Hall of Shuri Castle, in Okinawa. Crown Prince Hirohito had visited Okinawa while en route to a visit to Europe. The ship’s captain, Captain Norikazu …

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Jeff Whybrow

There’s a time to stop, and a time to push Jeff Whybrow A legend of British Kyokushin Karate, Jeff Whybrow was a protege or Steve Arneil. He was one of the faces of British Karate during the 1970s and the 1980s. He was equally comfortable in knockdown tournaments as well as point-fighting competitions. He was …

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Nobuaki Kanazawa

Karate is a life-long journey, you only stop when you die. In my mind, I feel that I’m just beginning – that I’m on still growing and developing. Nobuaki Kanazawa Known for his dynamic style of Karate, Nobuaki Kanazawa continues his father’s legacy. He is the son of one of the greatest Shotokan practitioners, Hirokazu …

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