This week in history (12 March – 18 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 monthes he graded for his 1st Dan. Bell …

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Cover Star: Chris Casanassa

Know primarily as an actor, Chris Casanassa has been practicing Karate since he was aged four. His father, Louis D. Casamassa was an early pioneer of Karate in the United States. Chris Casanassa was a successful competitor. Below are some of the magazines covers to feature this martial artist, turned actor, best known for his role as Scorpion …

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Cover Star: Andy Sherry

Andy Sherry is a pioneer of Shotokan Karate in the United Kingdom. With over fifty years training his passion and dedication epitomizes all that is good in Karate. He started training in 1961 as member of Vernon Bell’s British Karate Federation (BKF). His main instructor was JKA legend, Keinosuke Enoeda. He was founding member of the Karate …

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Cover Star: Tetsuhiko Asai

Tetsuhiko Asai was one of the most unique legends to come out of the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Extremely nimble, he employed ducking, jumping and spinning techniques against his opponents, making it very difficult to defend against his attacks. He is a former JKA All Japan Karate Grand Champion, defeating the likes of  Hiroshi Shirai …

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This week in history (5 March – 11 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 Norikazu Kanna, was an Okinawan by …

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Cover Star: Osamu Ozawa

Osamu Ozawa is a legendary Shotokan master. In 1944 he was promoted to black belt by Shotokan founder, Gichin Funakoshi. Having moved to the United States in the 1960s, Ozawa hosted the first Traditional Karate Tournament in Las Vegas. This initial tournament only had thirty competitors. It would go on to become one of the …

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Cover Star: Bob Poynton

Bob Poynton has been involved in Shotokan Karate since 1965. A student of Keinosuke Enoeda he is a long time member of the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB). A top competitor he has been a member of both the KUGB National Squad and the British All Styles Team. Below are some of the magazine …

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Cover Star: Eddie Daniels

Eddie Daniels has been involved in Karate for over fifty years. Starting in Shotokan he eventually became a student of Shigeru Kimura in 1968. He was a member of the All Styles British squad from 1970 to 1975. Below are some the magazine covers featuring this senior Shukokai instructor. March 1977   March 1989   September 1995 …

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This week in history (26 February – 4 March)

On 27 February 1948 Terence (Terry) O’Neill, one of the best karateka ever produced in Britain, was born in Liverpool, England. O’Neill began his Karate training in 1963 when as a sixteen year old he lied about his age on his application to join the British Karate Federation (BKF). Under Keinosuke Enoeda and the JKA, he earned …

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Cover Star: Mikio Yahara

Mikio is a legend of Shotokan Karate. He is one of the most dynamic fighters to have come out of the JKA, building a reputation as a fersome fighter. He is a firm believer in the budo aspects of Karate. Below are some of the covers featuring Yahara.   1986   1988  February 1991   June …

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