Artur Hovhannisyan

Life is like ‘sinusoid” – sometimes we go up, and sometimes we go down – like yin and yang. Artur Hovhannisyan Nicknamed the ” Highlander” due to his Armenian heritage, Artur Hovhannisyan had the ability to move lightly for a big man. He had a unique ability to combine Russian strength and power with Japanese …

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This week in history (18 May – 24 May)

18 May On 18 May 1966, Wayne Otto, a multiple World Champion, was born in Hackney, London. Otto is one of the most successful fighters to come out of Britain. He has appeared in the Guinness Book of Records as having won the most Karate championship medals for a male competitor. Nicknamed the “Black Shark” …

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Hamish Adam

As a competitor, Hamish Adam has had a number of firsts. He was part of the first Scottish team to win the European Team Championships. He was also part of the British team to defeat Japan to win their first World Championship title. As a competitor, he has won Scottish, British, European, and World titles. …

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This week in history (11 May – 17 May)

11 May On 11 May 1966, Hirokazu Kanazawa departed the UK for South Africa, much to the dismay of many of his British students. Kanazawa’s contract with the British Karate Federation (BKF) came to an end and was not renewed. He had built a fierce and loyal devotion from his students, especially those from the …

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This week in history (4 May – 10 May)

3 May On 3 May 1931, Shotokan master, Hirokazu Kanazawa was born in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. A legend of Karate much has been written about Kanazawa. For many years he has been one of the most recognisable faces of Karate. Considered by many to be the greatest of the Shotokan Masters, he is arguably one …

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This week in history (27 Apr – 3 May)

27 April On 27 April 1928 Tatsuo Suzuki, a master of Wado-ryū Karate, was born in Yokohama, Japan. Suzuki began training under Wado-ryū Karate founder, Hironori Ohtsuka, while still a teenager. In 1956 Ohtsuka dispatched Suzuki to spread the style of Wado-ryū around the world. On 27 April 1965, a JKA group of instructors consisting …

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Musings: Basic Kendo Terms

Basic Kendo Terms by Shihan Horton, founder of World Budo Development Society. Kendo (剣道): The Way of the Sword (Lit. Ken: Sword, Do: Path) Kenshi or Kendoka (剣士・剣道家): A Kendo Practitioner Dojo (道場): Training Hall – Specifically for Martial Arts Sensei (先生): Teacher or Instructor Shihan (師範): Head Instructor or Master Rei (礼): Etiquette or …

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Musings: The Sempai/Kohai Relationship

I first came across this concept in the 1993 Michael Crichton film, Rising Sun, starring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes. In the film, we see the informal relationship between the sempai (senior), Connery and his kohai (junior), Snipes, as they try to solve a murder. The sempai/kohai relationship is an integral part of Japanese culture, …

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Interview: Shihan Jacques Payet

Interview conducted by Neil Horton. Interview taken from World Budo Development Society Newsletter dated February 2020. I was delighted when Shihan Jacques Payet agreed to be interviewed by me for the WBDS Newsletter. He has a great deal of history and experience which is evident in the ensuing interview. He left his native France to …

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This week in history (20 Apr – 26 Apr)

20 April On 20 April 1960, Luis Maria Sanz was born in Vallodolid, Spain. He has been described as “the last link between traditional and competitive Karate“. Luis Maria Sanz holds a notable place in competitive Karate, being the first non-Japanese man and the first Shotokan karateka to become WKF World champion in 1992. On …

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