This week in history (18 Mar – 24 Mar)

20 March

On 20 March 1928 Gichin Funakoshi gave a Karate display with fifteen of his students by Imperial invitation, at the grounds of the Sainei-kan of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

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On 20 March 1955 the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was founded. Masatoshi Nakayama was appointed the Chief Instructor of the JKA, with Masatomo Takagi being appointed Secretary of the association. The headquarters of the JKA were located at Yotsuya, Tokyo.

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On 20 March 1957, Paul Mead was born. He is a former Shotokan Karate International (SKI) British, European and World Champion.

22 March

On 22 March 1995 karate-ka Kenji Yamaki became the thirteenth man to complete the gruelling Kyokushin Karate 100-Man Kumite challenge, in a time of three hours and twenty-seven minutes. During the challenge he had 83 wins, 12 draws and 5 losses.

The first two men to complete the challenge were Kyokushin founder, Mas Oyama, and Steve Arneil.