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DIAN TANAKA
Kenpo
Ms. Dian Tanaka was born in Tokyo, Japan,
but did move to the San Francisco Bay area with her family at the
age of 7. Her interest in the martial arts began when she watched
a karate class at Chuck Norris' Karate School in Los Angeles; she
began her study in Kenpo in the late 70's at an Ed Parker school run
by Mr. Harvey Clary. She went to UCLA and earned a bachelor's degree
there; while at the university, she studied at the West Los Angeles
School, which was ran by Mr. Chuck Sullivan. When she returned the
following fall, the school was under the instruction of Mr. Larry
Tatum.
Being in California in the 70s, Ms. Tanaka frequented the tournaments
such as the Long Beach Internationals and the International Karate
Championships among others. She competed in forms and self-defense
categories. She did go on to become a champion forms competitor.
Ms. Tanaka is currently a 6th Degree Black Belt who works with
a variety of individuals like Mr. Richard "Huk" Planas,
Mr. Frank Trejo, and Mr. Bob Liles, as well as doing seminars and
camps.
Ms. Tanaka also is the owner of a highly successful electronic
materials distribution business located right in Silicon Valley.
Other than her business or her passion and devotion for Kenpo, Ms.
Tanaka also enjoys working out, collecting and tasting wines.
Ms. Tanaka was recently featured as one of the Honorees in Joe
Hyam's book, The Journey.
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