Tag: Shokei Matsui

Nick Da Costa

If you can control distance, you can control the fight. Nick Da Costa One of the most successful British Kyokushin competitors, Nick Da Costa competed in what many people consider to be the golden age of Kyokushin Karate. Nicholas Antonio Constantino Da Costa was born in January 1961 in London. Growing up, he was a …

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This week in history…(15 January – 21 January)

15 January On 15 January 1963 Akiyoshi (Shokei) Matsui was born in Chiba, Japan. Of Korean heritage, he was named Moon Jang-gyu. Considered by some to be a “Kyokushin Karate genius“, Shokei Matsui was the youngest man to become Kyokushin World Champion. A tough competitor, he won 50 out of 56 fights. He is also …

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This week in history…(27 November – 3 December)

27 November On 27 November 1932, Toru Arakawa, a former Technical Director of the Japan Karate Federation, was born in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Wado-Ryu founder, Hironori Ohtsuka sent Tatsuo Suzuki, together with Arakawa and Hajime Takashima, on a 2-month tour to Europe and the United States, to demonstrate Wado-Ryu Karate. On 27 November 1980, the 5th World …

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This week in history…(20 November- 26 November)

20 November On 20 November 2004, William Oliver died in his dojo. One of the most dynamic Kyokushin Karate practitioners of his generation, Oliver was known for his lightning-fast Kicks. At 5ft 4in, he always had to fight much larger opponents, but always held his own. 21 November Between 21-25 November 1982, the 6th World …

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This week in history…(6 November – 12 November)

6 November On 6 November 1964, Pathe Pictorial released a colour film showing Vernon Bell’s British Karate Federation (BKF) students training at the Kentish Town dojo. The film lasting three minutes was shown in cinemas across Britain. Eddie Whitcher can be seen in the film. At the time he was a blue belt. Between 6-8 …

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Kazuyuki Hasegawa

In Sosai’s time, the best fighters were always Japanese. But in recent years, we have seen how other countries have been bringing out very good fighters. Kazuyuki Hasegawa Known as the “Little Giant“, Katsuyuki Hasegawa was an exceptionally powerful fighter. Standing 5 ft 6 in, he was known for his footsweeps, body kicks, and follow-up …

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This week in history…(17 July – 23 July)

18 July On 18 July 1959, Tetsuji Murakami made his first-ever visit to England to teach for the British Karate Federation (BKF). He also conducted a number of gradings at 12 Maybush Road, Hornchurch, Essex. On 18 July 1963, Vernon Bell received a letter from his German counterpart, Jurgen Seydel, informing him that Tetsuji Murakami …

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This week in history…(24 April – 30 April)

24 April On 24 April 1965, the second authorized demonstration by the JKA in Britain took place at Hornsey Town Hall, London. The touring party consisted of Japanese instructors, Taiji Kase, Hirokazu Kanazawa, Keinosuke Enoeda, and Hiroshi Shirai. 25 April On 25 April 1888, Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu Karate, was born in Naha, …

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This week in history…(17 April – 23 April)

17 April On 17 April 2010, Hidetaka Abe was a part of the United States team selection panel for the Wado Kai Karatedo World Cup. The panel included Yoshiaki Ajari and Sadaharu Kurobane. The panel selected a team to compete in Nagoya, Japan on 14-15 August 2010. 18 April On 18 April 1962, Kyokushin Karate …

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This week in history…(10 April – 16 April)

11 April On 11 April 1907, Minoru Mochizuki, founder of the Yoseikan dojo, was born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Mochizuki was one of the few men to have been a direct student of the three great Budo masters, Jigaro Kano, Morihei Ueshiba and Gichin Funakoshi. An accomplished martial artist, Mochizuki held a 10th Dan in …

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