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Cover Story Throwback: Kenneth Funakoshi

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Karate practitioner executing a punch on Black Belt magazine cover. Headlines in yellow and red highlight martial arts topics. February 1985 issue.
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Is the Reverse Punch the Most Lethal Move in Shotokan karate? Master Kenneth Funakoshi demonstrates the perfect reverse punch in this February 1985 Black Belt Magazine throwback cover.


Born on September 4, 1938, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Funakoshi was a prominent karate master and the founder of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association (FSKA). A fourth cousin of Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern Shotokan, Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi passed away on July 3, 2024.


Two martial artists in white gis perform a punch on the cover of "Black Belt" magazine, Feb 1985 edition. Bold text highlights karate topics.

Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com 



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