This week in history (24 December – 30 December)

25 December

On 25 December 1938 Goju-ryu Karate master, Morio Higaonna, was born in Naha, Okinawa.

Higaonna began his Karate journey by first studying Shorin-ryu Karate. He later changed to Goju-ryu Karate, studying under Ei’ichi Miyazato, the most senior student of Goju-ryu founder Chojun Miyagi.

Higaonna was awarded his 1st Dan by Miyazato in 1957. He has gone on to be one of the foremost Goju-ryu masters, promoting this particular style of Karate around the world.

29 December

On 29 December 2016 Frank Cope, and early pioneer of Shotokan Karate in Britain, died aged 82 following a bout of illness.

Cope was a pioneer of British Shotokan Karate, especially in the Liverpool area, becoming one of the first black belts in Britain. He started training in Karate in 1962 after attending a training course run by Vernon Bell. He joined a local British Karate Federation (BKF) dojo run by Fred Gille.

30 December

On 30 December 1960 former SKIF European and World Champion, Aidan Trimble was born in Nottingham, England. He was a long time member of Hirokazu Kanazawa’s Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF), eventually leaving to form is own association, The Federation of Shotokan Karate.

Until injury curtailed his competitive career in 1983, Trimble was a top competitor. He won the SKI (GB) kumite title three times (1980, 1982, 1984) and won the 1st SKIF World Championships kumite title (1983). Apart from heading his own association, Aidan Trimble is an author with over eight books to his name. He also travels the world conducting courses and seminars.