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List Of Karateka
List of karateka includes notable practitioners of karate, listed in alphabetical order by surname. Note that Japanese name order might not be consistent in this list, due to differing conventions. Individual entries list each person's name, years of birth and death (as appropriate), and main karate style(s). A *Keigo Abe (born 1938), Shotokan *Rafael Aghayev (born 1985), Shotokan * Gary Alexander, Isshin Ryu * Seishō Arakaki (1840–1918), Tode * Steve Arneil (born 1934), Kyokushin * Mark Arnott (born 1950), American Kenpo *Tetsuhiko Asai (1935–2006), Shotokan *Ankō Asato (1827–1906), Shuri-te *Linden Ashby (born 1960), style unspecified *Hideyuki Ashihara (1944–1995), Kyokushin and Ashihara * Elisa Au (born 1981), Shitō-ryū *Akshay Kumar (born 1967), Gōjū-ryū B *Xhavit Bajrami (born 1975), Seido * Shaun Baker, Shotokan *Christine Bannon-Rodrigues (born 1966) Oki-ryu *Vitor Belfort (born 1977), Shotokan * Steven Bellamy (born 1950), Wadō-ryū and Gōj ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Karate
(; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ) is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tii'' in Okinawan) under the influence of Chinese martial arts, particularly Fujian White Crane. Karate is now predominantly a striking art using Punch (combat), punching, kicking, knee (strike), knee strikes, elbow strikes and open-hand techniques such as Knifehand strike, knife-hands, spear-hands and palm-heel strikes. Historically, and in some modern styles, grappling, throws, joint locks, restraints and kyusho-jitsu, vital-point strikes are also taught. A karate practitioner is called a . The Empire of Japan annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1879. Karate came to mainland Japan in the early 20th century during a time of migration as Ryukyuans, especially from Okinawa, looked for work in the main islands of Japan. It was systematically taught in Japan after the Taishō ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ashihara Kaikan
Ashihara kaikan is a modern full contact street karate developed from Kyokushin karate by Hideyuki Ashihara with influences from various martial arts including Muay Thai, Pankration, and Jujutsu with an emphasis on '' Sabaki'', using footwork and techniques to turn an opponent's power and momentum against them and to reposition oneself to the opponent's "blind" spot. The style is focused on practical application in a real fight including multiple attackers. History The first worldwide public display of Sabaki was in the documentary on the first Kyokushin World Open Tournament in 1975. Shihan Hideyuki Ashihara (senior instructor) displayed his Sabaki skills to defeat multiple attackers in a demonstration at the start of documentary. In 1980, Hideyuki Ashihara established his own style of karate forming the New International Karate Organisation (NIKO) - Ashihara Karate Kaikan and became the Kancho (Grandmaster) of NIKO. The Honbu (headquarters) of Ashihara is located in Matsuyama ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Billy Blanks
William Wayne Blanks (born September 1, 1955) is an American fitness personality, martial artist, actor, and the creator of the Tae Bo exercise program. Early life and education Blanks was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He began his study of the martial arts at the age of eleven, attending Karate and Taekwondo classes. He was born with an anomaly in his hip joints that impaired his movement. The resulting clumsiness aroused taunts from Blanks' siblings and led his instructors to believe that he would never accomplish much. Blanks found the answer to these challenges in karate. When he saw Bruce Lee on TV, he decided he wanted to be a world martial-arts champion. Career Blanks was hired as a bodyguard for lead actress Catherine Bach during the filming of 1988's '' Driving Force'', which was filmed in Manila during a time of political unrest. Blanks impressed the producers and was written into the script in a supporting role. This led to Blanks' work in several martial arts films, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Randy Blake
Randy “Boom Boom” Blake (born November 25, 1986) is an American kickboxer who competes in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. Known for his speed and kicking ability, he began his martial arts training in karate at the age of seven before turning to kickboxing. He initially gained recognition fighting in the World Combat League, then went on the win and dominate the Xtreme Fighting League's Light heavyweight Kickboxing Championship with numerous title defenses. Blake won the ISKA World Heavyweight Muay Thai title in 2012 before going on to compete in K-1 and Glory. Early life Randy Blake moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Owasso, Oklahoma with his family at an early age. Inspired by the film '' Bloodsport'', he began training in karate aged seven and received his black belt from former world kickboxing champion Dale Cook in 2003 at 16. He is currently a fourth degree black belt. He also played basketball for Tulsa Community College. Career Early career (2007– ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wadō-ryū
is one of the four major karate styles and was founded by Hironori Ōtsuka (1892–1982). The style itself places emphasis on not only striking, but ''tai sabaki'', joint locks and throws. It has its origins within Tomari-te karate, but was also influenced by Shito-Ryu and Shotokan; and was also influenced by Jujutsu. Characteristics Philosophy The name ''Wadō-ryū'' has three parts: ''Wa'', ''dō'', and ''ryū''. ''Wa'' means "harmony," ''dō'' (same character as tao) means "way," and ''ryū'' means "school" or "style". Harmony should not be interpreted as pacifism; it is simply the acknowledgment that yielding is sometimes more effective than brute strength. From one point of view, Wadō-ryū might be considered a style of jūjutsu rather than karate. Hironori Ōtsuka embraced jujitsu and was its chief instructor for a time. When Ōtsuka first registered his school with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai in 1938, the style was called "Shinshu Wadō-ryū Karate-Jūjutsu," a name that ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Steven Bellamy
Steven John Bellamy (born 12 June 1950, in Sheffield, England) is a British martial artist, author, and lecturer. Biography Steve Bellamy practiced judo and boxing at school. He began studying karate in the early sixties, crediting the book ''Karate the Art of Empty Hand Fighting'' by Nishiyama and Brown as his inspirational source. His first formal lessons were in the Wadō-ryū style under Masafumi Shiomitsu later changing to Goju-ryu style under Brian Waites. In the late sixties and seventies he won numerous national, European, and world titles in karate. He was a British All-Styles Karate Team member from 1970 to 1973. During 1974 to 1977, he won several full contact and kick-boxing titles in Japan and in the USA. He has lived and trained in Japan for more than 40 years. In addition to instructor ranks in karate, jūdō and aikidō, he holds advanced teaching licenses in several classical martial arts of Japan, notably Shindō Muso-ryū Jodō, Musō Shinde ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vitor Belfort
Vítor Vieira Belfort (; born 1 April 1977) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight and Middleweight divisions. Belfort previously competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he fought in the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight and Middleweight divisions. He is the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament Champion, as well as the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Champion. Known for his explosive knockout power, Belfort is tied for third for the most finishes in UFC history with 14. Belfort has also competed for MMA promotions Pride FC, Strikeforce, Affliction, and Cage Rage. Background Born and raised in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Belfort began training in boxing at the age of 12 under Claudio Coelho. Belfort later studied Brazilian jiu-jitsu with Carlson Gracie, who gave him his black belt. Gracie scouted Belfort at the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championships, where he won the Absolute and Heavyweight t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Christine Bannon-Rodrigues
Christine Bannon-Rodrigues (born November 6, 1966) is an American martial artist, actress, stunt person, and choreographer. Biography A student of Don Rodrigues, Bannon-Rodrigues is a 9th degree black belt, she holds 9 World Championships, including consecutive 3-time World Titles at the W.A.K.O. Games. Bannon-Rodrigues has acted for both film and television, including the feature films Sci-Fighter (aka X-Treme Fighter) and 27 Dresses. Her stunt work can be seen in a number of Hollywood productions, including Underdog, Batman and Robin, and The Next Karate Kid. Christine has appeared on television in WMAC Masters, and Mortal Kombat: Conquest. In 2012 Christine did the martial arts choreography for the film Champions of the Deep (2012). Christine teaches at the Don Rodrigues Karate Academy, where she is a co-owner with Shihan Don Rodrigues. Filmography Championships and accomplishments Kickboxing * WAKO Amateur World Championships ** W.A.K.O. World Championships ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shaun Baker (actor)
Shaun Baker, is an American actor and martial artist. He is best known for his role as Quick Williams on the syndicated television series '' V.I.P.'' Baker had a minor role in the 1990 Kid 'n Play film ''House Party''. In 1991, Baker appeared in '' In the Heat of the Night'' (the television series). His first major television role was Malcolm on the ABC sitcom ''Where I Live'', co-starring with Doug E. Doug and Flex Alexander. After that series was cancelled, he landed the recurring role of womanizing Jamaican immigrant Russell Montego on the popular FOX sitcom ''Living Single''. He also guest starred on the TV show ''Family Matters'' (as Harriet Winslow's cousin "Easy C" Clarence Baines), ''CSI: Miami'', ''The District'', '' NYPD Blue'', ''Martin'', and ''A Different World''. From 1998 to 2002, Baker portrayed boxer-turned-private investigator Quick Williams on Pamela Anderson's campy action series '' V.I.P.'' The show afforded Baker frequent opportunities to showcase h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Seidokaikan
is a traditional full contact karate derived from Kyokushin by Kazuyoshi Ishii. Seidokaikan organized the first professional full contact karate tournament named the Karate World Cup. The Karate World Cup had special extension rounds; if the judge's decision was deadlocked after an extension round, the rules then allowed face strikes with fighters donning boxing gloves (kickboxing). History In 1981, Kazuyoshi Ishii established his own style of karate, forming the International Practical Karate Federation Seidokaikan, and became the Kancho (Grandmaster) of Seidokaikan based in Osaka. Kancho Ishii's top student at this time was Takeo Nakayama, who had achieved fame by taking second place in the 1977 Kyokushin All-Japan tournament as a green belt. In 1983, Kancho published a karate technical manual entitled "Full Contact Seido Karate". The following month the first of a four-part educational video series "Practical Seido Karate" (the first of its kind in Japan) was produced. In 1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Xhavit Bajrami
Xhavit Bajrami (born October 30, 1975) is an Albanian-Swiss former Kickboxing, kickboxer who competed in the heavyweight division. A Seidokaikan, Seido karate practitioner and Andy Hug student, Bajrami built up an undefeated record domestically before he was recruited by K-1 where he won the ''K-1 Braves '99'' tournament and finished as runner-up in two other tournaments. He is also a two-time Muay Thai world champion, having won the International Sport Karate Association, ISKA World Super Heavyweight title in 2004 and the WKN World Super Heavyweight strap in 2010. Early life A Albanians in Kosovo, Kosovar Albanian, Bajrami was born in Dumosh, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo) in 1975. He relocated to Switzerland where he began practicing Seidokaikan, Seido karate and eventually kickboxing. Career K-1 career (1998–2004) Bajrami transitioned from full contact karate to kickboxing under the tutelage of fellow karateka-turned-kickboxers Andy Hug ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gōjū-ryū
, Japanese for "hard-soft style", is one of the main traditional Okinawan styles of karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Both principles, hard and soft, come from the famous martial arts book used by Okinawan masters during the 19th and 20th centuries, the '' Bubishi'' (). Gō, which means hard, refers to closed hand techniques or straight linear attacks; jū, which means soft, refers to open hand techniques and circular movements. Gōjū-ryū incorporates both circular and linear movements into its curriculum, combining hard striking attacks such as kicks and close hand punches with softer open hand circular techniques for attacking, blocking, and controlling the opponent, including joint locks, grappling, takedowns, and throws. Major emphasis is given to breathing correctly in all of the kata but particularly in the Sanchin kata which is one of two core kata of this style. The second kata is called Tensho, meant to teach the student about the soft s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
