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SHIHAN TED TABURA
Born and raised in Hawaii, Shihan Tabura began
his martial arts training under his cousin's tutelage in a backyard
dojo. Later moving to Southern California, Ted discovered the Okinawa-te
dojo headed by another Hawaii-born instructor, Shihan Gordon Diversola.
While training at the Okinawa-te dojo, Tabura met John Louis (now
deceased) who became his final instructor in Okinawa-te, then LimaLama.
Sensei Louis ranked Tabura as a Black Belt in 1968.
The martial arts has been a way of life for Tabura and his family. There were
many years of tournament competition where Tabura and his sons won trophies
in their respective divisions. Tabura was dubbed 'The Sickle Man' by Sijo Adriano
Emperado, founder of Kajukenbo, for his expertise in the use of the Japanese
kama (sickles). That nickname stuck with Shihan Tabura for many years.
Today, Shihan Tabura co-produces tournaments in Primm, Nevada and directs the
annual Festival of the Kings Karate Championship in Maui, Hawaii. Shihan Tabura
and Shihan Dan Sawyer have been partners of the Primm, Nevada tournaments for
the past 18 years. They started out at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Casino
in the late 1980's and just recently moved to Primm. This tournament draws
competitors from all the neighboring regions including Mexico. The 10th Festival
of the Kings Karate Championship was held in July 2002 at the Westin Maui Resort.
Competitors came from far and wide; some as far as New Zealand and Australia.
Current
Rank:
8th Degree Black Belt - LimaLama System Founder - Grandmaster Tino Tuiolosega
9th Degree Black Belt - Kajukenbo System Founder - Sijo Adriano Emperado
Honors:
10th Degree Black Belt - Black Belt Society Grandmaster Robert Hoe Pioneer
Award - Soke Black Belt Hall of Fame Pioneer Award - Pacific Rim Tour Organization
Golden Fist Award - Outstanding Weapons Competitor
Publications:
Black Belt Magazine; Karate Illustrated; Official Karate; Inside
Kung-Fu; Combat Magazine
Training Videos:
LimaLama - Panther Productions
Boken/Kubudo - Black Belt Masters
Film/TV:
Big Trouble in Little China, Little Ninjas, Hardcore/Greatest American
Hero, Knight Rider
If you would like to contact Shihan Ted Tabura you can reach him
at ttabura@worldblackbelt.com
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