Tatsuo Suzuki

These days, too many people stop training once they pass 2nd or 3rd Dan, they don’t realise belts are not important. Grades mean nothing, all that matters is to train hard. Many people call themselves 10th or even 12th Dan, but most of them are rubbish. Tatsuo Suzuki A direct student of Wado-Ryu Karate founder, …

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Daniel Lautier

In every lesson, the three basic elements should be covered: Kihon– Kata–Kumite. It is wrong only to focus on fighting, but whatever technique you perform you must always imagine your opponent and that is very hard to do for some people. It comes with age and experience. Daniel Lautier A believer in discipline and hard …

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

7 February On 7 February 2004 Shotokan master, Tetsuhiko Asai, was made an Honorary President of the Russian National Far East University in Vladivostok. This was in recognition of his contribution to the development of education, science and culture. He was presented with a pocket watch. 9 February On 9 February 1929 Shotokan master, Taiji …

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Ernie Molyneux

I think where we tend to miss out, is that the instructors themselves should have their own students pushing them. Your objective as an instructor is to push your students to a higher level, that’s even better than you are. But you shouldn’t be complacent and think, ‘I don’t have to train’. You should make …

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Motokuni Sugiura

A great thinker on the essence of Karate and how it should be taught, Motokuni Sugiura dedicated his life to Karate. As an instructor, he focused on developing strong basics. As the second Chief Instructor of the JKA he oversaw a turbulent period in their history. Motokuni Sugiura was born in Aichi, Japan, on 4 …

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This week in history…(30 January – 5 February)

31 January On 31 January 1999 Keigo Abe resigned from the Matsuno faction of the JKA. Masatoshi Nakayama, the Chief Instructor of the JKA, died in 1987. Tokyo businessman, Nobuyuki Nakahara became the Chairman of the JKA. A number of instructors, led by Tetsuhiko Asai, disagreed with the decision. This led to a split in …

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James Rousseau

Alongside Stan Schmidt, Len Barnes, and Hugh Thomas, James Rousseau, was a pioneer of Karate in South Africa. He is largely responsible for establishing Okinawan Goju-Ryu in Europe. A very good teacher, he has been described as making simple things interesting and difficult things seem easy. James McGill Rousseau was born on 4 July 1944 …

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Yasuhiro Konishi

Karate aims to build character, improve human behaviour, and cultivate modesty. It does not, however, guarantee it. Yasuhiro Konishi One of the most outstanding, Japanese Karate Masters of the 20th century, Yasuhiro Konishi was already a top kendoka and Jujitsu practitioner when he began learning Karate. He recognised that Karate was a legitimate martial art …

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This week in history…(23 January – 29 January)

23 January On 23 January 1949, Henri Plee was graded to his Judo 1st Dan under Mikinosuke Kawaishi. Plee became the 16th Judoka to attain this rank in France. On 23 January 1973, Nicholas Pettas was born on the island of Mykonos, Greece. Sometimes known as the ‘Blue-eyed Samurai‘, Nicholas Pettas was one of Mas …

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Kazuhiro Sawada

A true karateka must exercise, self-control, be non-aggressive, and avoid confrontation. Kazuhiro Sawada A longtime member of the JKA (Japanese Karate Association), Kazuhiro Sawada has been at the forefront of helping to establish Shotokan Karate in Belgium. Like many of the JKA Masters of his generation, he is very technical. Kazuhiro Sawada was born on …

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