Franco Azzopardi

Franco Azzopardi ITKF World Championships 6th place - Sochin

Franco Azzopardi - Jodan Ushiro Geri

Sensei Kawasoe Masao sparring with Franco Azzopardi - Jodan Yoko Geri

Franco Azzopardi performing a yoko tobi geri on his kohai Omar Azzopardi

Luciano Puricelli, a direct student of (Masters) Sensei(s) Shirai Hiroshi and Kase Taiji , conditioning Franco Azzopardi

Franco Azzopardi sparring with his kohai Omar Azzopardi. Jodan Yoko Geri

“Competition and Grading results are finite by their very nature. Tomorrow you are back in the line. Research and study in traditional karate take the form of the symbol of infinity, with Kata at the centre, Kihon at the starting point, and Kumite as the objective. The flow of study leads you from the practice of Kihon to the visualisation of application in Kata and ultimately put to test in Kumite. This in turn takes you back to Kata and then to basic Kihon for more practice. This process continues in iteration, and the journey is life-long, teaching you the virtues of perseverance and confidence. This, to me is karate.”

• Born in 1962 in Malta.

• Started Martial Arts studies in Judo at age 12.

• Switched to Karate with the late instructor Collin Williams. Staunch follower since 1988, of the World’s top Japanese masters including (Sensei) Nishiyama Hidetaka , Kase Taiji (late), Shirai Hiroshi, Kawasoe Masao, Naito Takeshi. The lineage of these masters in Shotokan karate are unquestioned.

• Encouraged and entrusted by (Sensei) Shirai Hiroshi to form and lead the Traditional Karate Federation of Malta in 1993. Immediately accepted member of the International Traditional Karate Federation.

• Currently 5th Dan, graduate of World Shotokan Institute of (Sensei) Shirai Hiroshi, (Sensei) Kawasoe Masao and (Sensei) Naito Takeshi. His Thesis was titled The Inner Core of KARATE. Praised by Sensei Kawasoe for his technical ability and kumite style.

• Achieved highest marks in gradings in Italy, Malta and UK and earned the title of ‘Muteki’, meaning ‘Invincible spirit’ from Sensei Shirai in person.

• Repeated participation in ITKF European and World championships, consistently placing among top 6, with a personal best of 4th.

• Qualified as an International Coach and Ranking Examiner with the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF), with Nishiyama Hedetaka Sensei as Chairman and Technical Director of the organisation

• Coach of 2001 ITKF European Gold medallist in Junior Kata and Silver medallist in Cadet Kata.

• Technical Director of the national federation of Malta (TKFM).

• Official representative in Malta of the World Shotokan Institute (WSI) of (Sensei) Shirai, Kawasoe and Naito

• Co-examiner with Kawasoe Masao Sensei, of all Dan examinations in Malta under WSI standards and recognised by ITKF

• Considered by many as the father of traditional karate in Malta with many of the local karate instructors having been given their formation within his school

• Was instrumental in securing the bid for the 2005 26th edition of the European Championships held in Malta. This was held under the patronship of the Hon Dr Louis Galea, Minister reponsible for Sport, and Nishiyama Hidetaka Sensei of ITKF himself. Event reported officially by the Ministry.

• Appointed Chairman of the Malta Sports Council for the past years by the Hon Minister of Education.

• Also a qualified accountant and holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Finance. For more information about Franco's professional carreer, click here.

• Practices karate-do in whatever he does, even in his profession as corporate financier

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