Oct 02 2023
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 …
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Sep 25 2023
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. …
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Sep 04 2023
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 …
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Aug 28 2023
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 …
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Jul 31 2023
31 July On 31 July 1937, former JKA Grand Champion, Hiroshi Shirai, was born in Nagasaki, Japan. Currently holding the rank of 9th Dan, he began his Karate training at Komazawa University in 1955. A graduate of the Kenshusei (Instructors Training Course) he became the JKA Grand Champion in 1962 winning the individual kumite title …
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Jul 24 2023
25 July Between 25 and 27 July 1981, the Karate event took place at Santa Clara University, at the 1st World Games held in Santa Clara, California. Tokey Hill won a bronze medal in the Men’s Individual -80kg Kumite event. Yukiyoshi Marutani defeated teammate, Seiji Nishimura, to win the bronze medal in the Men’s Individual …
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Jul 05 2023
When our Sempai taught us kata, they told us that when Yoshitaka Funakoshi performed a kata, those who observed him experienced a particular sensation, the tremendous impression of impending danger. Taiji Kase A major figure in the development of Shotokan Karate, Yoshitaka Funakoshi has arguably had the biggest influence on the Shotokan Karate practised today. …
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Jun 19 2023
22 June On 22 June 1931, Teruyuki Okazaki was born in Nogata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. He was the second son of a family that came from a samurai lineage on his grandmother’s side. Okazaki has been described by some, as one of the most technically gifted karatekas to come from the Japanese Karate Association (JKA). …
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May 29 2023
29 May On 29 May 1947, Hamish Adam was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a part of the British team that won the Team Kumite title at the 1975 World Championships, held in Long Beach, California. He was also part of a Scottish team that won the 1973 European Team Championships on their first …
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May 22 2023
22 May On 22 May 1962, Akira Masuda was born in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Like most Japanese boys, he was taught Judo at school. By the time he was in high school, he had become Captain of the school’s Judo team. An exceptional fighter known for his strong kicks, Akira Masuda is one of …
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