Tag: Mas Oyama

On this day….(January 20)

On 20 January 1909 Gōju-ryu legend, Gōgen Yamaguchi, was born. Nicknamed the Cat, he was famed for his feline-like speed and prowess. Yamaguchi was a direct student of Gōju-ryu Karate founder, Chojun Miyagi. He began training with him in 1929. On 20 January 1938 Cyril Cummins, a pioneer of Shotokan in Central England, was born. …

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This week in history (27 December – 2 January)

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 …

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This week in history (20 December – 26 December)

21 December On 21 December 1957 Trevor Guilfoyle and Gerald Tucker become the first karateka in  Britain to be graded to 3rd kyu, under the British Karate Federation (BKF). The grading was conducted by Vernon Bell at 12 Maybush Road, Hornchurch, London. Guilfoyle and Tucker were two of Bell’s earliest students, taking part in the …

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This week in history (29 November – 5 December)

29 November On  29 November 1964, Clive William Nicol took his black belt examination and earned the rank of Shodan.  Born on 17 July 1940 in Neath, C. W. Nicol is best known for his book Moving Zen – Karate As A Way To Gentleness, a must-read for all martial artists. The book provides a fascinating insight into the early …

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This week in history (15 November – 21 November)

15 November On 15 November 1968, Doug Perry was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. Perry was the first non-Okinawan promoted to 9th Dan within the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shorin-Kan Karate Association. He was one of the first group of students to practice Karate in its infancy in the United States. 16 November On 16 November 1928 Mitsusuke Harada …

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This week in history (8 November – 14 November)

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 …

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This week in history (18 October – 24 October)

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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This week in history (13 September – 19 September)

14 September On 14 September 2011, Edward ‘Bobby’ Lowe died peacefully in his sleep Edward ‘Bobby’ Lowe died peacefully in his sleep on 14 September 2011, at Queens Hospital Honolulu, Hawaii. He was survived by his wife Betty, daughter Barbara, and son Michael. Known as the ‘Instructor’s Instructor‘, Lowe was Mas Oyama’s oldest and most …

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This week in history (23 August – 29 August)

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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Nicholas Pettas

The most important thing I learned as a dormitory student at the Kyokushinkaikan, the headquarters of Kyokushin, was to be courageous in the face of any obstacle, the spirit of never giving up, and the motivation to want to succeed in everything you do in life. Nicholas Pettas Sometimes known as the ‘Blue-eyed Samurai‘, Nicholas …

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