Morio Higaonna

I think that people start learning Karate with different goals in their minds. However, whatever style they choose, I believe the most important factor is a good instructor… also one must never forget that Karate is not only about fighting. Morio Higaonna It could be argued that no one has done more to popularise Okinawan …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/morio-higaonna/

This week in history…(9 October – 15 October)

9 October On 9th October 1922 Vernon Bell, the Father of British Karate was born in Ilford, Essex. Initially, Bell started learning Karate from Henri Plee who was responsible for introducing Karate into Europe. Bell was responsible for bringing Tetsuji Murakami and Hiroo Mochizuki to teach for the British Karate Federation (BKF). He was also …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-9-october-15-october/

Ken Wittstock

Whoever stops loses. Ken Wittstock Part of the first generation of Karate practitioners in South Africa, Ken Wittstock is considered one of the founding fathers of South African Karate. Kenneth Lawrence Wittstock was born on 21 August 1941, in Johannesburg, South Africa, to parents Alfred and Eliza Wittstock. He was the youngest of six children, …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/ken-wittstock/

Shinkin Gima

One learns through imitation, and being corrected, learning is enhanced with humility and enthusiasm. Shinkin Gima Sometimes referred to by the Japanese translation of his name, Makoto, Shinkin Gima is often overlooked by the wider Karate world. He was present at the introduction of Karate in Japan. He was also one of the first people …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/shinkin-gima/

This week in history…(2 October – 8 October)

4 October On 4 October 1924, Motokuni Sugiura, a former Chief Instructor of the JKA, was born in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Sugiura earned his 1st Dan aged only 20. At university, he had been taught by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka. After he graduated in 1944 he joined the Tsuchiura Navy Flying Corps, serving …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-2-october-8-october/

This week in history…(25 September – 1 October)

25 September On 25 September 2016, Miki Nakamachi competed at the 59th JKA All Japan Karate Championships. She normally performed the kata Gojushiho Sho in competition. However, in honour of her son, Hugo, she decided to perform the kata Unsu. Meaning ‘Cloud Hands’, she saw Unsu as representing her son’s little hands in the clouds. …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-25-september-1-october/

This week in history…(18 September – 24 September)

18 September On 18 September 2018, Peter Chong, a long-time practitioner of Kyokushin Karate, resigned from IKO. He wanted to return to the ideals of Kyokushin Karate, as taught by Mas Oyama. A week after leaving that IKO he established the International Karate Alliance Kyokushinryu. Chong was named Chairman, with Ryuko Take being named Vice-Chairman. …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-18-september-24-september/

This week in history…(11 September – 17 September)

11 September On 11 September 1934 Colin Williams, the founder of the Bukonkai Karate International (BKI) association, was born. He started training in the early days of Karate in the United Kingdom. On 11 September 1970 Michael Randall, Christopher Adamou and Nicholas Adamou graded were to 2nd Dan under Hirokazu Kanazawa. All three men had …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-11-september-17-september-2/

This week in history…(4 September -10 September)

4 September On 4 September 1931 Kenneth Funakoshi, a distant relative of Shotokan Karate founder, Gichin Funakoshi, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. On 4 September 1993, Gerard Gordeau competed at the K1-Illusion, Tokyo event. A month later in October, he competed at the K1-Illusioin, Karate World Cup, held in Osaka. 6 September On 6 September …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-4-september-10-september-2/

This week in history…(28 August – 3 September)

28 August On 28 August 1948, Kazuyuki Hasegawa was born, in Itano, Japan. Known as the “Little Giant“, he was an exceptionally powerful fighter. Standing 5 ft 6 in, he was known for his footsweeps, body kicks, and follow-up punches. 29 August On 29 August 1934 Steve Arneil, a pioneer of British Kyokushin Karate, was …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-28-august-3-september-2/