Akira Masuda

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Akira Masuda[1] (増田 章 Masuda Akira?, born May 22, 1962) is a Japanese karate practitioner.

He was born in 1962 in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan. In junior high school he became Captain of the school Judo Club.[2]

When he was 16 years old he joined Kyokushin Kaikan Ishikawa Dojo, a pivotal point in his life. At 19 years old he made his debut in his first All Japan Tournament. Many said he was stronger than the current champion even then, and he became very famous all over Japan. After that he remained a top athlete in Kyokushin All Japan Tournaments, [3] going on to beat Michel Wedel, Gerard Gordeau, Michael Thompson, and many others on the international scene.[4][5]

When he fought and lost to Andy Hug,[6] Masuda's powerful low kick and gyaku zuki impressed the whole karate world. In fact, Hug was unable to walk after the fight.[7]

In the 22nd All Japan Kyokushin Tournament he took the gold medal,[8][9] and he placed second in the 5th World Karate Tournament.[10]

Famously, in March 1991 he completed the ultimate challenge in Kyokushin: the 100 man kumite,[11] supervised by his mentor Mas Oyama.[12]

Today he is the Shihan (Master) of Kyokushin Kaikan Masuda Dojo,[13] and in 2007 published the book "Freestyle Karate".[14]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Note on Japanese names: Family names go before given names, so in Japan he is known as Masuda Akira, while in the west he is usually referred to as Akira Masuda
  2. ^ Masuda, Akira "Freestyle Karate" ISBN 978-4-90235-03-7, Novelpress, August 2007 books.livedoor.com All the information in the above article can be found in the Author's Profile on the book's jacket, and has been translated to English by Philip Sneyd, with full permission of the author, directly from the original Japanese without any omissions or embellishments.
  3. ^ www.kyokushinresults.freeserve.co.uk [http://www.kyokushinresults.freeserve.co.uk/Pages/Japan/AJiko2.htm
    "14th All Japan - 1982, 8th place: Akira Masuda;
    15th All Japan - 1983, 5th place: Akira Masuda;
    17th All Japan, 1985, 3rd place: Akira Masuda;
    18th All Japan, 1986, 2nd place: Akira Masuda;
    21st All Japan, 1989, 4th place: Akira Masuda;
    22nd All Japan, 1990, 1st place: Akira Masuda"]
  4. ^ Details of the 4th World Open Tournament plus photos [1]
  5. ^ Details of the 5th World Open Tournament plus photos [2]
  6. ^ www.andyhug.com "In the semi-final, he ran into the feared Akira Masuda from Japan. To the great astonishment of the spectators and particularly of Mas Oyama, the head of Kyokushinkai, Andy defeated his opponent Masuda in a fight that was so uncompromising that the latter admits even now to having never fought a harder fight."
  7. ^ 6th World Tournament 1996 (IKO-2) – 5th
    5th World Tournament 1991 – 2nd
    4th World Tournament 1987 – 3rd
    3rd World Tournament 1984 – 9th. "Fighter Profiles Japan"
  8. ^ www.kyokushinresults.freeserve.co.uk "Past All Japan Champions: Year 1990, Edition 22nd, Champion Akira Masuda"
  9. ^ www.askktrakia.com "His performances were simply electrifying, after winning many fights with ippon in the early rounds Midori fought superbly to overcome the enormous Shichinhoe, the devastating Kurosawa and then defeat All Japan Champion Masuda (to) become World Champion."
  10. ^ www.kyokushincanada.com "Nov. 2, 3, 4, 1991 Tokyo, Japan. 5th World Open Tournament. 25000 (spectators). 250 Fighters, 112 Countries. 1st place-Kenji Midori, Japan. 2nd place-Akira Masuda, Japan"
  11. ^ www.australiankyokushin.com "100 Man Kumite - Akira Masuda (March, 1991)"
  12. ^ www.masutatsuoyama.com "100 Man Kumite - Akira Masuda (March, 1991)"
  13. ^ Kyokushin Kaikan Masuda Dojo's Official website www.budo-karate.com (in Japanese)
  14. ^ http://www.amazon.co.jp "Masuda, Akira 'Freestyle Karate' ISBN 978-4-90235-03-7, Novelpress, August 2007" [3]
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