1996 JKA World Karate Championships - Athens, Greece

Team South Africa of Michael Kliment, Shane Dorfman and Clem Dos Santos made history by beating the undefeated Japanese team of JKA Honbu Senior Kawazaki, WKF under 60kg World Champion Itoh and JKA World Champion Yamaguchi in the semi finals. This was the first time in the history of JKA World Championships that Japan lost in the team kumite. Japan won the previous 9 times before South Africa dethroned them.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael Kliment
• Shane Dorfman
• Clem Dos Santos
• Karate
• jka
• world championships
• greece
• japan
• history

[Harvey0514]

I was Taught by Micheal Kliment and I can say it was a great honor getting trained by such a fantastic Sensei.

[rcadag]

Hi, pardon my ignorance. I am confused. I know most of the JKA team Japan during this time but do not know Yamaguchi, or Itoh or Kawazaki. This tournament is not the same as the World Shoto Cup that JKA do every 2 years?

[brinnonvallere]

wow, that was a good first fight! is that blood on their gii's? do they have head wounds/lacerations?

[tokaidosan]

Just one comment...Yahara Sensei is a great Karate Judge. In Japan is impossible to bezt Japanese Karateca because all judges all Robbers, especially in JKA Tournaments. Yahara is very fair on his judging. True exemple for your peers.