Nov 06 2023
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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Oct 07 2023
Whoever stops loses. Ken Wittstock Part of the first generation of Karate practitioners in South Africa, Ken Wittstock is considered one of the founding fathers of South African Karate. Kenneth Lawrence Wittstock was born on 21 August 1941, in Johannesburg, South Africa, to parents Alfred and Eliza Wittstock. He was the youngest of six children, …
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Jul 31 2023
31 July On 31 July 1937, former JKA Grand Champion, Hiroshi Shirai, was born in Nagasaki, Japan. Currently holding the rank of 9th Dan, he began his Karate training at Komazawa University in 1955. A graduate of the Kenshusei (Instructors Training Course) he became the JKA Grand Champion in 1962 winning the individual kumite title …
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Jul 05 2023
When our Sempai taught us kata, they told us that when Yoshitaka Funakoshi performed a kata, those who observed him experienced a particular sensation, the tremendous impression of impending danger. Taiji Kase A major figure in the development of Shotokan Karate, Yoshitaka Funakoshi has arguably had the biggest influence on the Shotokan Karate practised today. …
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May 29 2023
29 May On 29 May 1947, Hamish Adam was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a part of the British team that won the Team Kumite title at the 1975 World Championships, held in Long Beach, California. He was also part of a Scottish team that won the 1973 European Team Championships on their first …
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May 15 2023
15 May On 15 May 1947, Steve Cattle was born. Until his untimely death, aged only 47, he was one of the longest-practising Shotokan practitioners in Britain. He was also a keen historian of Karate. Cattle began his Karate training in 1963, after applying for membership with the British Karate Federation (BKF) in York. He moved …
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Apr 24 2023
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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Apr 17 2023
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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Apr 10 2023
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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Apr 03 2023
5 April On 5 April 1870 founder of Motobu Ryu, Chōki Motobu, was born in Okinawa. Motobu was the third son of a noble family. As the third son, he was not allowed to learn the family martial art of Motobu Udundi. This meant he trained under various Okinawan masters such as Anko Itosu, and Sokon Matsumura. A …
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