May 21 2018
On 23 May 1952 the founder of the Shito-ryu style of Karate, Kenwa Mabuni, died aged 63. Mabuni trained under two of Okinawa’s greatest masters, Anko Itosu and Kanryo Higaonna. His style of Karate combined the linear techniques of Itosu with the circular movements of Higaonna. In the 1920s Mabuni frequently traveled to Osaka, Japan where …
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Apr 02 2018
On April 4, 1947 Mikio Yahara, one of the most dynamic fighters to come out of the JKA, was born in Ehime Prefecture. Yahara is a firm believer in a budo approach to Karate. In 2000 he broke away from the JKA to form his own organisation, Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF). The organisation is built on the …
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Mar 05 2018
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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Feb 19 2018
On 20 February 1986 Kata World Champion Rika Usami was born in Tokyo, Japan. A student of Karate master Yoshimi Inoue, Usami won the 2012 WKF World Championship Kata final held in Paris, France. She is known for her grace, strength and speed that mesmerize fans in equal measures. On 21 February 1956 the earliest known letter was written …
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Feb 12 2018
On 17 February 1947 Nicholas Adamou was born. Adamou began his Karate training, alongside his older brother Chris, in 1964 at the British Karate Federation’s (BKF) London dojo. When the JKA’s Hirokazu Kanazawa began teaching Shotokan for the BKF in 1965. Adamou and his brother become devoted students of Kanazawa alongside Eddie Whitcher, Michael Randall, Mike Peachey, Will …
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Jan 29 2018
On 29 January 1962 one of the founders of the French Karate movement Jim Alcheik was assassinated, aged only 31. Alchiek widely regarded as one of the greatest martial artists to come out of Europe. He held a 4th Dan in Aikido, a 2nd Dan in Karate, a 2nd Dan in Kendo and a 3rd Dan …
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Nov 06 2017
6 November On 6 November 1964, Pathe Pictorial released a color film showing Vernon Bell’s British Karate Federation (BKF) students training at the Kentish Town dojo. The film lasting three minutes, was shown in cinemas across Britain. Eddie Whitcher can be seen in the film. At the time he was a blue belt. 7 November On 7 November 2008, …
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Sep 11 2017
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 to 2nd Dan under Hirokazu Kanazawa. All three men had started their Karate …
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Aug 21 2017
August 26 On 26 August 1941 Karate instructor and humanitarian, John Van Weenen, was born in Enfield, just outside London. He was the second of six children. In 1964 Van Weenen, along with his brothers Jeff and Garry emigrated to Australia, settling in Adelaide. He and his brother Jeff began Karate training under Moss Hollis, who …
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Mar 08 2017
On this day, 8 March 1945, Roger Hall a founding member of the English Shotokan Karate Association (ESKA), was born. Hall had orignially sterated learning Wado-ryu but switched to Shotokan karate in 1966, He received his 1st Dan in from Hirokazu Kanazawa in 1972. In 1974 he recieved his 2nd Dan from Shiro Asano and …
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