This week in history (23 July – 29 July)

27 July

On 27 July 1923 the founder of Kyokushin Karate, Matsutatsu Oyama was born in Japanese occupied Korea. Born as Choi Yeong-eui, 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. A total of 12 categories – 8 for men and 4 for women – were contested.  

Japan, through Mie Nakayama and Tsuguo Sakumoto, won both their respective kata events. Contestants from Britain did well in the kumite events. Success began with Beverly Morris and Janice Argyle winning their respective events. This was followed by Cecil Hackett, Geoff Thompson and Vic Charles winning their respective events. Jim Collins won a silver, losing out to Hackett. Mervyn Ettienne and Abdu Shaher also won bronze medals in their events.