Tag: Stan Schmidt

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

24 October On 24 October 1996, the High Court of Tokyo upheld an earlier decision regarding Mas Oyama’s last will. On 31 March 1995 Judge Atsushi Watanabe of the Tokyo Court of Family Affairs ruled that Oyama’s verbal will was invalid as it had not been signed by him, only by the witnesses. His family …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-24-october-30-october/

This week in history…(3 October – 9 October)

4 October On 4 October 1924, Motokuni Sugiura, a former Chief Instructor of the JKA, was born in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Sugiura earned his 1st Dan aged only 20. At university, he had been taught by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka. After he graduated in 1944 he joined the Tsuchiura Navy Flying Corps, serving …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-3-october-9-october/

This week in history…(12 September – 18 September)

12 September On 12 September 1961, Molly Samuel, a multiple European and World Champion, was born in Paddington, West London. Samuel was Britain’s first individual female World Karate Federation (WKF) World Champion. She was a pioneer of women’s competitive Karate, paving the way for many of Britain’s future world champions. Her major honours include: World …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-12-september-18-september/

On this day….(February 14)

On 14 February 2015, South African Shotokan Karate pioneer, Stan Schmidt, was awarded the rank of 8th Dan by the JKA. He was the first non-Japanese to be promoted to this rank by the JKA.

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/on-this-day-february-14/

This week in history (25 October – 31 October)

25 October On 25 October 1936 several Karate masters gathered for a special meeting in Naha, Okinawa. While not attended by Gichin Funakoshi, this meeting was attended by Chomo Hanashiro, Chotoku Kyan, Choki Motobu, Chojun Miyagi, Choshin Chibana, Juhatsu Kyoda, Shinpan Gusukuma, Genwa Nakasone, and others. Funakoshi would attend subsequent meetings. Chomo Hanashiro had first …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-25-october-31-october/

This week in history (4 October – 10 October)

4 October On 4 October 1924, Motokuni Sugiura, a former Chief Instructor of the JKA, was born in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Sugiura earned his 1st Dan aged only 20. At university, he had been taught by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka. After he graduated in 1944 he joined the Tsuchiura Navy Flying Corps, serving …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-4-october-10-october/

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 …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-13-september-19-september/

Trevor Tockar

Only when you recognise your own weaknesses can you improve and develop. Trevor Tockar One of the most respected names in South African and Australian Kyokushin Karate, Trevor Tockar, was one of the youngest men graded to 5th Dan by Kyokushin founder Mas Oyama. He was one of the men at the forefront of Kyokushin …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/trevor-tockar/

This week in history (12 April – 18 April)

12 April On 12 April 1998, Osamu Ozawa host the 18th Annual Traditional Karate Tournament International for the last time. Since its inception in 1981, the tournament had become a showcase for traditional Karate styles. Many of the world’s top masters would give demonstrations and seminars at the event. The 18th running of the event …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-12-april-18-april/

This week in history (29 March – 4 April)

29 March On 29 March 1965, the JKA World Tour commenced at Hanada Airport, Tokyo. The touring party consisted of Taiji Kase, 6th Dan, who had started training in 1944 at the original Shoto-Kan under Yoshitaka Funakoshi. Hirokazu Kanazawa, 5th Dan, was the next member of the party. He was the first All Japan JKA …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: http://findingkarate.com/wordpress/this-week-in-history-29-march-4-april/