This week in history (12 February – 18 February)

On 17 February 1947 Nicholas Adamou was born. Adamou began his Karate training, alongside his older brother Chris, in 1964  at the British Karate Federation’s (BKF) London dojo.

When the JKA’s Hirokazu Kanazawa began teaching Shotokan for the BKF in 1965. Adamou and his brother become devoted students of Kanazawa alongside Eddie Whitcher, Michael Randall, Mike Peachey, Will Mannion and Jack Johnson. The group were playfully known as the “Seven Samurai”.

Following the split from the the BKF, Adamou became a member of the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) whose Chief Instructor was Kanazawa.

Both Nick and Chris Adamou graded for 1st Dan in 1967, under Kanazawa.

After Kanazawa left the JKA Adamou joined his Shotokan Karate International (SKI) when it was first formed. He also became the first black belt in Britain to be awarded 5th Dan under Kanazawa in 1983.

In 1990 Adamou formed his own Karate association, the International Association of Shotokan Karate.