Hirokazu Kanazawa Shihan (10th Dan), is one of the worlds most renowned and respected traditional karate masters alive. Shihan Kanazawa is the only karateka ever to have won the notorious All Japan Karate Championships, an incredible three times in a row, on one occasion he won the finals whilst nursing a broken wrist from an earlier event.

In addition to Kanazawa Shihans mastery of karate-do and expertise with various 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 worlds largest Shotokan Karate Organization, the Shotokan Karate-do International Federation, with an excess of two and a half million members worldwide, in one hundred and three countries (at the last count). Currently he is the only living Shotokan Master to hold the grade of 10th Dan. He is one of the few remaining karateka privileged to have studied under Master Gichin Funakoshi
(the small Okinawan schoolteacher who brought kara-te to mainland Japan from Okinawan and founder of the Shotokan style.)

Kanazawa shihan demonstrates yoko geri kekomi against tsuki technique by sensei Mason.

PROFILE :

1931: Born in Iwate, Japan
1956: Joined Japan Karate association after graduating from
Takushoku University.
1957: Kumite Champion at the 1st All Japan Karate
Championships.
1958: Kata and Kumite Champion at the 2nd All Japan Karate
Championships.
1959: Kata and Kumite Champion at the 3rd All Japan Karate
Championships.
1960: Became Chief Instructor in Hawaii and United States
1962: Hawaiian karate League was established. He became
Head Instructor and guided the American mainland.
1963: He acquired 5th Dan
1964: He became Chief Master in England and Germany.
1966: He acquired 6th Dan
1968: He is invited by the Mexican Olympics.
1972: He participated in the rally which was opened in
Paris, as the Japanese Team Supervisor.
1975: He participated in the International Amateur Karate
title (Los Angeles), as a Judge.
1976: He participated in the Asian title (Hong Kong), as
a Judge.
1977: December 1977, he became independent of JKA. He
established SKIF (Shotokan Karate-Do International
Federation.