This week in history…(13 February – 19 February)

13 February

Between 13-14 February 2016, the International Federation of Physical Education (FIEP) organised the 2nd FIEP Asia Conference on Physical Education. The event was held at Kogakuin University, Tokyo, Japan. Hiromi Hishiki gave a talk titled “Karate Globalisation – An Experiment with Children in Education”.

14 February

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.

On 14 February 2020, the Karate1 Premier League event was held in Dubai. The tournament was the last international competition before the Covid-19 Pandemic led to the suspension of all competitors. worldwide.

Sandra Sanchez won her 35th consecutive medal in the league. Antonio Diaz finished in second place behind Damian Quintero. This earned him the right to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

17 February

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

When Hirokazu Kanazawa began teaching JKA Shotokan for the BKF in 1965, Adamou and his brother became devoted students of his.

Following the split from the BKF, the Adamou brothers became members 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.

Adamou joined Kanazawa‘s Shotokan Karate International (SKI) when it was first formed. He also became the first karateka 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.