Elvis Presley and Karate 50 Photos (Some Are Rare)
Elvis Presley and Karate 50 Photos (Some Are Rare)
Elvis Presley was a big fan of karate and studied the martial art for many years. He was first exposed to karate in 1958 while he was stationed in Germany with the US Army. His first instructor was a German shotokan stylist named Juergen Seydel. After he was discharged from the army, Elvis continued his karate training in Memphis, Tennessee. He studied under several different instructors, including Hank Slemansky and Kang Rhee.
In 1960, Elvis earned his first-degree black belt in karate. He continued to train and improve his skills, and in 1973, he was awarded a seventh-degree black belt by Kang Rhee. In 1974, Elvis opened his own karate school in Memphis, the Tennessee Karate Institute.
Elvis was a passionate karate practitioner and he often incorporated karate moves into his live performances. He was also a strong advocate for the martial arts and he believed that they could help people improve their physical and mental well-being.
The Beginning of Elvis Presley Karate Legacy – Paris 1959
Elvis Presley Karate Photo Gallery , Elvis and Karate Photographs
Elvis’ first karate teacher was German. HIs name was Jürgen Seydel. Elvis went there from about october 1959 to a simple sports hall on Dorotheenstraße in Bad Homburg to take his first karate lessons. Jürgen Seydel was in contact with japanese master Tetsuji Murakami and so it happend that Elvis and his karate teacher went to paris in January 1960 to meet him. From that occasion is that foto and the postcard to Dietmar Biemel also a student of Jürgel Seydel who trained with Elvis
Elvis at his Perugia Way home in L.A. in March 1961 learning karate
Elvis Presley and Jack Autry
Elvis Presley with his karate teacher Khang Rhee 1974.
Septermber 9, 1974. Elvis Presley and Karate Master Kang Rhee
Master Kang Rhee and Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley with Ed Parker in Memphis on July 4, 1974
Elvis Presley takes down Red – Karate
Kang Rhee Elvis Presley Bill Wallace Red West
Elvis with Grandmaster Wayne Carmen. Elvis had Wayne train Red West for three years in martial arts
elvis karate rare photo
Vintage Elvis Photo Karate Studio 1974 Kang Rhee Kodak Original Lot
Elvis on the set of the movie It happened at the world’s fair fall 1962 after his working day doing karate with his friend Red West.
elvis september 1974 karate kid
Elvis – Wearing his first- degree Black Belt in Karate he obtained on July 21 , 1960
