Jan 23 2023
23 January On 23 January 1949, Henri Plee was graded to his Judo 1st Dan under Mikinosuke Kawaishi. Plee became the 16th Judoka to attain this rank in France. On 23 January 1973, Nicholas Pettas was born on the island of Mykonos, Greece. Sometimes known as the ‘Blue-eyed Samurai‘, Nicholas Pettas was one of Mas …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-23-january-29-january/
Jan 02 2023
6 January On 6 January 1967, Michael Randall gained his 1st Dan from Hirokazu Kanazawa. He was one of the first men in Britain to gain the rank of 1st Dan from the Japan Karate Association (JKA). At the time of writing Randall is one of a handful of people currently training to have trained …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-2-january-8-january/
Dec 26 2022
27 December On 27 December 1975, the film, ‘Karate Bearfighter‘ was released in Japan, as part of a trilogy of films based on the life of Mas Oyama. Sonny Chiba played the role of his teacher, Mas Oyama. The first film in the trilogy, ‘Karate Bullfighter‘ was released on 9 August 1975 in Japan. The …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-26-december-1-january/
Dec 05 2022
5 December On 5 December 1944, the founder of Ashihara Karate, Hideyuki Ashihara, was born in Hiroshima, Japan. He was a direct student of Kyokushin founder, Mas Oyama. Ashihara was considered a formidable fighter, and by 1966 he was an instructor of Kyokushin Karate at the organisation’s Hombu (headquarters). In 1987 Ashihara started showing the first signs of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). His condition gradually worsened and on 24 …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-5-december-11-december/
Nov 28 2022
28 November On 28 November 1934 Frank Cope, a pioneer of British Shotokan Karate, was born in Liverpool. A long-time member of the KUGB (Karate Union of Great Britain) he would become one of the first Karate black belts in Britain. On 28 November 2009, the 9th Open Weight Kyokushin Championships were held in Paris. There were 166 …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-28-november-4-december/
Nov 21 2022
21 November On 21 November 1982, the 6th World Championships commenced in Taipei, Taiwan, finishing on 25 November. Japan continued their dominance of World Karate by topping the medal table with six golds, two silvers and four bronzes. Mie Nakayama began her dominance of the Women’s Individual Kata event by winning the first of her …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-21-november-27-november/
Nov 14 2022
14 November On 14 November 1889 Shito-Ryu Karate founder, Kenwa Mabuni, was born in Okinawa. Mabuni was one of the first Okinawan masters to teach his style of Karate on the Japanese mainland, eventually settling in Osaka in 1929. He initially trained under Yasutsune Itosu learning Shuri te, He later trained under Kanryo Higaonna learning …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-14-november-20-november/
Nov 11 2022
A highly respected Okinawan Karate master Zenryo Shimabukuro was the founder of Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate. An unassuming man, very little is known of him in the west. Shimabukuro was a student of the pre-war Okinawan master, Chotoku Kyan. He was one of Kyan’s few students to teach his style of karate. Zenryo Shimabukuro was born …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/zenryo-shimabukuro/
Nov 07 2022
8 November On 8 November 1965, Hirokazu Kanazawa held his second official grading at the Lyndhurst Hall dojo in London. Keinosuke Enoeda was also present at the grading. Ray Fuller was successful, receiving the temporary grade of 3rd Kyu. Between 8-11 November 1990, the 10th World Championships were held in Mexico City, Mexico. Tomoyuki Aihara …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-7-november-13-november/
Oct 31 2022
31 October On 31 October 1993, Ray Dalke took early retirement from the University of California, Riverside, where he was a member of the Physical Education department. He did continue to help out, long after his leave date. As a coach, Dalke oversaw one of the most successful collegiate Karate programs in the United States. …
Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-31-october-6-november/
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