JOE LEWIS
KARATE - MARTIAL ARTS PHOTOS

In 1966, with only 22-months of training, Lewis won the grand championship of the 1st tournament he entered,
The U.S. Nationals promoted by Jhoon Rhee.
Lewis defeated 7 opponents before defeating Thomas Carroll by 2-0 decision.
Lewis reigned as the U.S. Nationals grand champion from 1966-1969.
At the 1967 Nationals in Washington, Lewis won the championship just 18-months after his first class.
ABOVE
Joe Lewis was the first "non-master and only competitor"
to ever be photographed for the cover of Black Belt magazine.
Previous covers had been drawn or painted. - joelewisart.com

Joe Lewis victory photo with Bruce Lee and others at "68 U.S. National Championships, Washington , D.C..

Joe Lewis winning his second of four consecutive U.S. National Karate Grand Championship titles, Washington, D.C..
Lewis was also a 2-time U.S. National Kata Grand Champion in 1967 and 68.

www.martialtalk.com:
In the early days of tournament fighting, Joe Lewis was the head of the Tracy's National Fighting Team.
He designed the original checkered gi that was at first worn in tournaments by these guys.
The Tracy system "sparring method" is based heavily on theories and principles that were developed by
Joe Lewis, and Lewis still does seminars often in Tracy's schools around the country.
The 1st blacks that are awarded in the St. Louis area are likely black belts in the Joe Lewis system.
Joe Lewis does not teach Shorin ryu, but his own style based heavily on sparring and fighting.

Joe with two Kinney Karate Students.
Michael Kinney Martial Arts

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