Tag: Peter Spanton

Tatsuo Suzuki

These days, too many people stop training once they pass 2nd or 3rd Dan, they don’t realise belts are not important. Grades mean nothing, all that matters is to train hard. Many people call themselves 10th or even 12th Dan, but most of them are rubbish. Tatsuo Suzuki A direct student of Wado-Ryu Karate founder, …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/tatsuo-suzuki/

This week in history…(21 November – 27 November)

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 …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-21-november-27-november/

This week in history (2 May – 8 May)

2 May On 2 May 1967, the 2nd European Championships were held at the Crystal Palace, London. Brian Fitkin was selected to be a member of the British team, even though he was a green belt. Britain defeated a powerful French team in the Team Kumite event. During the tournament, the 20-year-old Fitkin defeated a …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/thie-week-in-history-2-may-8-may/

This week in history (26 April – 2 May)

26 April On 26 April 1957, Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, died in a Tokyo hospital, aged 88. His family and close student Shigeru Egami were at his bedside. On 26 April 1965, a touring party from the JKA gave their third authorized demonstration in Britain. The party consisted of Taiji Kase, Hirokazu …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-26-april-2-may/

Doug James

I see kata as something for developing the individual and that if that person performs the moves in a certain way and is happy, providing it is within the overall guidelines of the kata I see nothing wrong with some deviation. Doug James Considered one of the cornerstones of British Karate, Doug James has been …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/spotlight-doug-james-the-karatekas-karateka/

Brian Fitkin

In addition to teaching my students Karate, I try to make really good people of them. Karate instructors have a tremendous responsibility because the students tend to copy them, but a lot of instructors don’t seem to realise it. Brian Fitkin Fighting at heavyweight, Brian Fitkin was described by legend Steve Arneil as being like …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/profile-brian-fitkin/

Peter Spanton

I think it’s a shame that tournament seems to have taken over and we’ve lost a lot of our tradition. Peter Spanton A pioneer of British Wado-ryu Karate, Peter Spanton is one of the first generation of British karateka. He was one of the first Englishman to be graded to black belt in Wado-ryu by …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/profile-peter-spanton/

Teruo Kono

Karate is Karate. The main thing is the man himself – not the school he belongs to, not the style he practices. Teruo Kono A direct student of Wado-ryu founder, Hironori Ohtsuka, Teruo Kono was among the first instructors to teach Wado-ryu Karate in Europe. British pioneers Peter Spanton and Walter Seaton recalled training with …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/profile-teruo-kono/

Walter Seaton

Remember: it’s through basic techniques that we learn how best to use our weight and speed, that’s why basics are the most fundamental part of Karate practice. Walter Seaton A true pioneer of Karate in the United Kingdom, Walter Seaton was one of the first instructors to teach Karate to women at his Middlesbrough dojo. …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/spotlight-walter-seaton-hard-as-nails/