This week in history (15 January – 21 January)

On 20 January 1909 Gōju-ryu legend, Gōgen Yamaguchi, was born. Nicknamed the Cat, he was famed for his feline-like speed and prowess.

On 20 January 1938 Cyril Cummins a pioneer of Shotokan in Central England, was born.

Cummins began his Karate training in 1964 at the Kyu-Shin-Kan School of Judo Ltd, Located in Birmingham. His initial instructors were Jonny Brown, Tommy Ryan and Les Hart. They had learnt their karate mainly from Hidetaka Nishiyama‘s book, Karate: The Art of ‘Empty-Hand’ fighting, They eventually joined the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB).

Cummins gained his 1st Dan in 1966 from the Budo of Great Britain. After training with Hirokazu Kanazawa, he re-took his Dan grade under the auspices of the JKA/KUGB.