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HIROKAZU KANAZAWA, SHIHAN, (10th Dan)
One of the world's most renowned and respected traditional karate masters alive,
Kanazawa Shihan is the only karateka ever to have won the notorious 'All Japan
Karate Championships' an incredible three times in a row, on one occasion
winning the finals whilst nursing a broken wrist from an earlier event.
In recent years, his eldest son, Nobuaki, has preserved the family reputation by
winning the current All Japan Championships.
Taking up karate while at University (following several years of Judo training),
the young Kanazawa became the protégé of the late headmaster of the Shotokan
style, Matsatoshi Nakayama (10th Dan) and is one of the few remaining karateka
privileged to have studied under Master Gichin Funakoshi (the small Okinawin
schoolteacher who brought 'karate' to mainland Japan from Okinawa and founder
of the Shotokan style).
In addition to Kanazawa Shihan's mastery of karate-do and expertise with various
types of traditional weaponry, he also has a very extensive knowledge of
Chinese art of Tai-Chi, having studied it to its conclusion under Professor
Wong for more than thirty years.
Currently, Kanazawa Shihan is both Chairman and World Chief Instructor of the
world's largest Shotokan Karate organization, the Shotokan Karate-do
International Federation. This organization has in excess of two and a half
million members worldwide, in one hundred and three countries (at the last
count) and is currently the only living Shotokan Master to hold the grade of
10th Dan.
Although having such a formidable pedigree and being accorded legendary status,
Kanazawa Shihan is also extremely charismatic but easily approachable being a
natural teacher and communicator, he chooses to spend individual time with as
many of his students as is possible.
Demand for his services, worldwide, is on the increase, his schedule is
extremely intense and we are most fortunate and honored to have this Shotokan
Legend include us on his itinerary and accept us as his students for the last
twenty years.
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