This week in history (22 July – 28 July)

22 July

On 22 July 1967 the 1st KUGB Championships took place at the Alexandra Palace in London. Jack Green won the individual kumite title, with Andy Sherry winning the individual kata title. Liverpool Red Triangle won the first of its five consecutive team kumite titles.

23 July

On 23 July 2011 Steve Arneil, a student of Kyokushin Karate founder Mas Oyama, was awarded his 10th Dan.

Arneil became the second person after Oyama to complete the gruelling 100-Man Kumite Challenge.

27 July

On 27 July 1923 the founder of Kyokushin Karate, Matsutatsu Oyama was born in Japanese occupied Korea. Born Choi Yeong-eui, he spent most of his life in Japan. He was a student of Gichin Funakoshi and later Gogen Yamaguchi. He founded his own style of Kyokushin in 1957.

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On 27 July 1985 the Karate Championships were held as part of the World Games in London. The Karate Championships were held at the National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace. There were a total of twelve categories – eight for men and four for women.