Tag: Toru Yamaguchi

Yukichi Tabata

Nicknamed the ‘Happy Giant’ because of his easy-going demeanour, Yukichi Tabata stood over 6 ft, which was tall for a Japanese man. A member of the Japanese National Team for many years, he had a reputation for being a very tough fighter. Yukichi Tabata was born in Japan in 1943. After graduating from university in …

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Ken Wittstock

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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Akihito Isaka

You must always think about how you build up the level of your kihon and how to achieve a higher level of kihon. Akihito Isaka Like many graduates of the JKA Instructors Course, Akihito Isaka is known for his exceptional technique. He is also known for stressing the importance of slow-motion training as a way …

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Hiroshi Shoji

It is my belief that to polish our waza (techniques) and our minds through Budo will make us healthy, live long and become useful for the community. Hiroshi Shoji The first JKA All Japan kata champion, Hiroshi Shoji was known for his exceptional timing. An instructor at the JKA Hombu, he was known for his …

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Takeshi Oishi

Everything, in my opinion, is in the training, so there are no tips to give, only quantity of training, in order to automate the techniques, so as not to think, when it will be time for the fight. Takeshi Oishi One of the longest was serving instructors at the JKA, Takeshi Oishi was a formidable …

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Toru Yamaguchi

Technique will keep on improving, I hope, as instructors understand more about modern technology and its uses. I believe we can develop new technology for our bodies too. Toru Yamaguchi Considered one of the best ever JKA instructors, Toru Yamaguchi was a well-rounded karateka. He had good kihon, kata, and kumite. Masatoshi Nakayama once described …

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Norman Robinson

A legend of South African Shotokan Karate, Norman Robinson, alongside Stan Schmidt, was responsible for introducing Shotokan into South Africa. Known as a ferocious fighter, JKA great, Masahiko Tanaka, once referred to him as ‘a monster‘. Norman Robinson was born on 17 September 1936 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was the youngest of eight children …

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Shigeru Takashina

If I make will, I can kill you, but it is not my character…. My main goal now is to educate people in more than just show Karate but in the cultural Karate, the real cultural benefits [of Karate]. Shigeru Takashina Shigeru Takashina was a true stalwart of the Japan Karate Association (JKA). A graduate …

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Dave Hazard

A good Shotokan karateka doesn’t make Shotokan good or a bad karateka make Shotokan bad. Dave Hazard Dave Hazard has earned legendary status in British Karate. He has trained under some of the true legends of Shotokan Karate. Keinosuke Enoeda was his long time instructor. He also trained in Japan under Masatoshi Nakayama in the …

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