Mar 13 2023
13 March On 13 March 1957, Vernon Bell was awarded his black belt in Yoseikan Karate from the Fédération Française de Karaté, under Hiroo Mochizuki and Henri Plee. Bell had started training with Plee towards the end of 1955. He had made frequent visits to Plee’s Paris dojo. After around eighteen months he graded for his 1st Dan. Bell …
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Feb 01 2023
A great thinker on the essence of Karate and how it should be taught, Motokuni Sugiura dedicated his life to Karate. As an instructor, he focused on developing strong basics. As the second Chief Instructor of the JKA he oversaw a turbulent period in their history. Motokuni Sugiura was born in Aichi, Japan, on 4 …
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Jan 30 2023
31 January On 31 January 1999 Keigo Abe resigned from the Matsuno faction of the JKA. Masatoshi Nakayama, the Chief Instructor of the JKA, died in 1987. Tokyo businessman, Nobuyuki Nakahara became the Chairman of the JKA. A number of instructors, led by Tetsuhiko Asai, disagreed with the decision. This led to a split in …
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Jan 04 2023
First be taught; learning comes later; Tomio Imarura Known for his quiet demeanour, Tomio Imamura has been described as a “brilliant technician“, known for his exceptional kumite. A two-time world champion, he is one of the best fighters of his generation. Tomio Imamura was born on 7 October 1958, in Kagoshima, Japan. Imamura attended Takushoku …
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Sep 26 2022
26 September On 26 September 1969, The 1st All Japan Open Karate Tournament took place at the Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo. A full-contact competition, the tournament was open to martial artists from other styles. Both Terutomo Yamazaki and Yoshiji Soeno made it to the final, where Yamazaki won the title. 27 September On 27 September …
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Aug 01 2022
3 August On 3 August 2016, it was announced by the IOC (International Olympic Committee), that Karate would be one of the new sports making its Olympic debut at the 2020 Games, held in Tokyo, Japan. It was the fulfilment of a dream for karatekas such as Antonio Diaz, Douglas Brose, and Rafael Aghayev. However, …
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Jul 22 2022
I feel that without developing mental and physical discipline you can never hope to achieve your full potential whether your bias is kumite or kata. Ronnie Christopher Alongside the likes of Frank Brennan, Elwyn Hall, and George Best, Ronnie Christopher is considered one of the best Shotokan fighters of his era. Blessed with speed, technique, …
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Jun 15 2022
I see Karate not as a sport but as an art. Therefore kata and kumite are both needed to become an all-round practitioner of the art. That isn’t to say I have anything against people who view karate as a sport. Matt Price As a competitor, Matt Price was known for his very strong kumite. …
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Jun 06 2022
7 June On 7 June 1935 Shotokan master and former Technical Director of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), Tetsuhiko Asai was born in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. As a boy, Asai had trained in Sumo, Judo, and Kendo. He became interested in Karate after seeing a karateka defeat a boxer in a fight. Upon entering Takushoku …
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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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