HIstory of the EKKA

Introduction

English Korean Karate Association otherwise referred to as The EKKA Karate Association or EKKA was established in 1973 under the leadership of President Mick Blackwell 10th Dan and Vice President Billy Brennan 9th Dan. Since then the EKKA has developed to become one of the most successful and respected Karate organisations in England.

The EKKA has produced several English and British champions and a host of international medal winners at European, Commonwealth and World championship level. The extent of the EKKA’s competitive successes not only embrace Karate Kumite and Kata competition but also full contact and semi contact kickboxing.

Students of EKKA Karate schools proudly wear ‘Blue’ suits for training rather than the more traditional ‘White’ suit as seen in most Karate schools. The reason for this will become clear once the origin of the EKKA is explained in a little more detail but to best do this, it is necessary to go back to the beginning.

The history of the EKKA (see Fig 1) stretches back to the birth of both Karate (empty hand) and Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo (fist, foot) and is outlined through this potted history of the martial art from its origin in India and subsequent expansion throughout the world through China, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, America and England.