 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2015) |
| Competition details | |
|---|---|
| Discipline | Karate |
| Type | Kumite, biennial |
| History | |
| First edition | August 1964 in Long Beach, California, United States |
The Long Beach International Karate Championships is an International karate and martial arts tournament in Long Beach, California that was first held in August 1964 by Kenpo Grandmaster Ed Parker.[1][2] The tournament ran competition til 1999 under IKKA organization/Parker family. Many great tournament fighters earned their stripes at this tournament, including Chuck Norris, Andy Ah Po, Tony Martinez Sr., Mike Stone, Joe Lewis, Jim Kelly, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Billy Blanks, Jerry Piddington, and "Superfoot" Bill Wallace.[3][4] The Long Beach Internationals is also where Bruce Lee was first introduced to the martial arts community in August 1964, with Lee making another appearance in 1967.
- ^ "Black Belt". Black Belt Magazine. February 1967. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ^ Black Belt. December 1990. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ Black Belt. January 1992. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ Tales of American Karate. November 1994. Retrieved 1 November 2014.