May 23 2022
23 May On 23 May 1952, Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu Karate, died at the age of 63. His eldest son, Kenei, succeeded him as the 2nd Chief Instructor of Shito-Ryu Karate-do. Many of his other top students founded their own versions of Shito-Ryu. On 23 May 1971, Eddie Whitcher graded for 2nd Dan …
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Apr 18 2022
18 April On 18 April 1962, Kyokushin Karate legend, Kenji Midori was born in Amami Oshima, Japan, to a wealthy family. Standing at around 5’4″ (1.6 m) in height, Kenji Midori is known as the “Little Giant“. He became the first lightweight competitor to win Kyokushin Karate’s World Tournament, where all his opponents were considerably …
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Feb 04 2022
On 4 February 1949, Michael Nursey, a founding member of the English Shotokan Karate Association (ESKA) was born. Nursey started training in Karate when he was eighteen, under Keinosuke Enoeda and John Van Weenen. After achieving his 4th Kyu Nursey continued his training with Hirokazu Kanazawa, Shiro Asano and Michael Randall. Nursey gained is 1st …
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Nov 01 2021
1 November On 1 November 1947, Tsuyoshi Hiroshige was born in Kokura, now known as Kita Kyushu City, Japan. A phenomenal instructor, Tsuyoshi Hiroshige was known as a master trainer. He has trained multiple World Champions and All Japan Champions, including Kenji Midori, Kenji Yamaki, Hajime Kazumi, and Norichika Tsukamoto. Between 1-3 November 1975, 128 …
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Oct 18 2021
20 October On 20 October 1972 Howard Collins competed in the 4th All Japan Open Karate Tournament. He made it to the final where he lost to Miyuki Miura. On 20 October 1982, martial arts historian, Donald Frederick “Donn” Draeger died from cancer at the Veteran’s Hospital located in Milwaukee. He was buried five days …
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Sep 06 2021
6 September On 6 September 2016 Walter Seaton, one of the first Wado-Ryu black belts in the UK, died aged 80 years. Seaton was born in Middlesbrough and was one of the first instructors to teach Karate to women at his dojo. A family man, Seaton and his wife Eva had six children, twenty-two grandchildren, …
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Aug 23 2021
23 August On 23 July 2011, Steve Arneil was awarded his 10th Dan. 24 August On 24 August 2000 Andy Hug died from breathing difficulties and multiple organ failure. He was only 35 years old. His death was reported on all the major news channels in Japan. He was survived by his wife Ilona and …
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Jun 08 2021
… I had to learn Karate, I had to look after myself… Ray Fuller A pioneer of Shotokan Karate, Ray Fuller was one of Vernon Bell’s first Karate students. His association was a founding member of the EKGB (English Karate Governing Body). Raymond Edward Fuller was born on 27 January 1934. After leaving school he …
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May 17 2021
17 May On 17 May 1969, Keinosuke Enoeda married Reiko Hayashi. Charles Naylor, who would become a stalwart of the KUGB was his best man. The newlyweds settled in Kingston Surrey. 18 May On 18 May 1966, Wayne Otto, a multiple European and World Champion, was born in Hackney, London. Otto is one of the …
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Apr 19 2021
20 April On 20th April 1960, Luis Maria Sanz was born in Valladolid, Spain. Described as “the last link between traditional and competitive Karate“, Luis Maria Sanz holds a notable place in Karate, being the first non-Japanese man and the first Shotokan karateka to become WKF World champion, in 1992. On 20 April 1965, a …
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