This week in history (26 October – 1 November)

26 October

On 26 October 1957, the Federation Internationale De Karate (FIK) was formed at the headquarters of the French Karate Federation, located at 34 rue de la Montagne Sainte Genevieve, Paris.

Present at the creation of the FIK was Vladimiro Malatesti (representing Italy), Vernon Bell (representing Great Britain), Jurgen Seydel (representing Germany), Henri Plee (representing France) and Hiroo Mochizuki (representing Japan and Yoseikan Karate).

The Federation Internationale De Karate had the following aims:
• To foster closer ties between karateka from around the world.
• To co-ordinate the activity of Karate in all nations
• To establish technical and organisational rules
• to organise and supervise international events
• To represent Karate on the international sports scene

27 October

On 27 October 1948 Life Magazine featured an article on Karate. The article had a picture showing black belts Hiroshi Kamata and Gojuro Harada, both from Waseda University, engaged in a sparring session. It is thought that Henri Plee, the Father of European Karate, saw this article and led to his interest in Karate.

On 27 October 1964, the 3rd All-American Karate Tournament was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Chief Judge of the tournament was Hidetaka Nishiyama, the President of the All-American Karate Federation (AAKF). Masataka Mori, the Chief Instructor of the Karate Association of Hawaii, was the Chairman of the tournament. Yasu Uyehara won the kumite event, with Thomas Morikawa winning the kata event.

On 27 October 2010, Rika Usami took part in her first World Championships, at the age of 24. At the 20th WKF World Karate Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia, she finished in 3rd place in the Individual Kata event. The event was won by Yohana Sanchez of Venezuela, with Nguyen Hoang Ngan of Vietnam in second place

28 October

On 28 October 1939 Keigo Abe was born in Iyoshi, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

A direct student of Masatoshi Nakayama, Abe graduated from the JKA Instructors Program in 1965. He was a long-serving instructor at the Japan Karate Association’s Hombu. After the JKA split in 1990 he became Technical Director of the JKA (Matsuno faction).

In 1999 Abe resigned from the JKA and formed his own association, Japan Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA).

Noted for his phenomenal back fist, Abe is featured in three volumes of Masatoshi Nakayama’s Best Karate Series (volumes 3, 4, 9).

On 28 October 1957, the 1st All Japan Karate Association Championships were held at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, and was organised by the JKA. The tournament was formulated by Masatoshi Nakayama, to add a more competitive approach to training. It was the first tournament to have match rules.

The tournament was limited to individual men’s kata and kumite; and team kata and kumite. The first kata champion was Hiroshi Shoji who performed Unsu. Hirokazu Kanazawa was the first kumite champion.

Kanazawa had trained intensively for the championships. However, five days before the championships were due to start, he broke his wrist in two places.

On 28 October 1957 the 1st All Japan University Karate Tournament is held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Shiro Asano becomes the first All-Japan University Champion.

29 October

On 29 October 1939, Shiro Asano was born in Tokyo.

A student of Masatoshi Nakayama, Asano attended the Takushoku University becoming a prominent member of the university’s famed Karate club. In 1957 he won the inaugural All Japan Universities Championship. This was followed by another win in 1958.

After graduating from university Asano enrolled on the Japan Karate Association’s Instructor program. After graduating from the program, he becoming a full-time instructor for the JKA in 1963.

As part of the JKA’s expansion, Asano was sent to teach in Germany. He was then invited to the United Kingdom, first going to Liverpool, before finally taking up permanent residence in Nottingham around 1968.

In 1974 Asano was appointed Chairman and Chief Instructor to the Shotokan Karate International (Great Britain) SKI(GB), the British branch of Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF), headed by Hirokazu Kanazawa. Eventually, Asano also became the Chief Instructor for the Shotokan Karate International European Federation (SKIEF).

Shiro Asano is famed for his superb timing in kumite.

31 October

On 31 October 1993, Ray Dalke took early retirement from the University of California, Riverside although he continued to help out, long after this date.

As a coach, Dalke oversaw one of the most successful collegiate Karate programs in the United States. During his tenure, the Karate team won five National Collegiate Championships and had eight individual National Collegiate Karate Champions.

Between 31 October to 1 November 2015, the 11th World Open Tournament WKO (IKO–2), held in Tokyo, Japan. At the Kyokushin tournament, Howard Collins was promoted to 8th Dan.

1 November

Between 1-3 November 1975, the 1st World Open Tournament took place. Howard Collins took part in the tournament. However, he lost to Toshikazu Sato, after several extensions and a rematch, by judges decision.