Mike Stone (karate)

Mike Stone
Born Michael Stone
1944
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii, US
Other names The Animal
Nationality United States American
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Weight 175 lb (79 kg; 12.5 st)[1]
Style Shorin-ryu Karate
Teacher(s) Herbert Peters
Rank      10th degree black belt'
Notable students Ron Pohnel[2]

Mike Stone (born in Makawao, Maui, Hawaii)[1] is an American martial artist, retired karate fighter, fight choreographer, stuntman, actor, author, and motivational speaker.[3][4]

Biography

Mike Stone was born in Makawao, Maui, Hawaii. Stone’s first introduction to the martial arts was in Aikido while as a student Lahainaluna High School.[5] After graduating Stone enlisted in the US Army in 1962. Stone began studying Shorin-ryu Karate earning his black belt in only six months[3] under Herbert Peters while stationed at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas.[1] Well known for his karate tournament success in the 1960s, Stone known for his aggressiveness earned the nicknamed “The Animal”[4] would amass a record of 91 consecutive wins.[3] In 1964, Stone won the sparring grand championship at the first ever International Karate Championships in Long Beach, California.[4] Stone has authored several books, most notably “Mike Stone’s Book of American Eclectic Karate”.[6]

Stone met Elvis and Priscilla Presley in 1967 at the Mainland vs. Hawaii Karate Championships promoted by Elvis’ longtime karate instructor Ed Parker. Stone next met the couple backstage at one of Elvis’ shows in Las Vegas in 1972. Stone had been working as a bodyguard for record producer Phil Spector.[7] After the show, Elvis invited Stone back to the couple's penthouse suite where Elvis suggested that Priscilla train with Stone.[8] Three weeks later Priscilla made the 45 minute drive to Stone’s school in Huntington Beach. Because of the distance Priscilla opted to train with Chuck Norris who had a school in West Los Angeles which was closer to the Presley home. Stone would make occasional trips to Norris’s school to train Priscilla. The relationship soon turned romantic, resulting in Elvis and Priscilla’s divorce several months later. Stone and Priscilla would subsequently split up in 1975.[7]

Personal life

Stone has been married three times. He met his first wife, Mary Ann Dobbs, while in the army stationed at Fort Chaffee. He met his second wife, Francine Doxey in Newport Beach where he was working as a bouncer.[9] In 1985, Stone sold all his possessions and moved to an isolated island in the Philippines[3] where he and his current wife Taina live.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Shimatsu, Roger (January 1970), "Tiger: Mike Stone’s Formula For Winning Tournaments", Black Belt Magazine: 16–25, retrieved July 28, 2013
  2. ↑ Corbett, John (April 1980), "Paradise Lost? "They’re Training Monkeys To Do Things Human Beings Can Execute…", Black Belt Magazine: 20–25, 52–53, retrieved July 28, 2013
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Hess, Christopher (December 1999), "Master Power: Mike Stone’s Revolutionary Program Can Help You Achieve Martial Arts Excellence", Black Belt Magazine: 98–103, retrieved July 28, 2013
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Coleman, Jim (September 1990), "Mike "The Animal or Tiger Mike Stone" Stone: Was He Karate’s Greatest Fighter?", Black Belt Magazine: 18–22, retrieved July 28, 2013
  5. ↑ Pollard, Maxwell (December 1967), "An Ex-Champ Chooses To Dare", Black Belt Magazine: 46–47, retrieved July 28, 2013
  6. ↑ Stone, Mike (1984). Mike Stone’s Book of American Eclectic Karate... (1st ed.). Contemporary Books. ISBN 978-0-809-25506-1.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Corcoran, John (March 1998), "The King: The Story Behind Elvis Presley’s Fascination With The Martial Arts", Black Belt Magazine: 48–54, retrieved July 28, 2013
  8. ↑ Beaulieu Presley, Priscilla (1985). Elvis and Me... (1st ed.). Putnam Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-399-12984-1.
  9. ↑ Henry, Vernon (April 1965), "Mike Stone, The Instant Karate Champion", Black Belt Magazine: 16–21, retrieved July 28, 2013