The Most Famous Karate Practitioner, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the practitioner you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 4, 2024 07:08

In the world of martial arts, Karate stands out as a discipline that combines strength, precision, and philosophy. Identifying the most famous practitioners in this field can provide new enthusiasts with role models and inspire seasoned martial artists to elevate their practices. By ranking these Karate masters, we establish a guide to who has shaped the techniques and philosophies in significant ways. This ranking system allows fans and practitioners to cast votes for the Karate professionals they believe are most influential. As votes accumulate, the list dynamically updates to reflect the community's views on leadership and skill in the art of Karate. Your vote contributes to a broader acknowledgment of mastery and fame within this respected art form.

Who Is the Most Famous Karate Practitioner?

1

76
votes
National General Pictures · Public domain

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee is considered one of the most famous martial artists in the world, known for his skills in various forms of martial arts, including karate. He was an actor, filmmaker, and founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts system.
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- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Chinese person
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous person from Washington State
2

40
votes
Staff Sgt. Tony Foster · Public domain

Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris is a legendary martial artist, actor, and former professional fighter, best known for his karate skills. He has earned numerous titles in various martial arts competitions and is the founder of the Chuck Norris System, a martial arts discipline.
Chuck Norris in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Texas
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Boy Scout
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous truck driver
3

39
votes

日本スポーツ出版社 · Public domain

Mas Oyama

Mas Oyama was a Japanese karate master who founded the Kyokushin Karate discipline. He is known for his incredible strength and the development of the "100-man kumite," which is a test of endurance and skill against 100 opponents.
4

23
votes

Gichin Funakoshi · Public domain

Gichin Funakoshi

Gichin Funakoshi is the founder of Shotokan Karate, which is one of the most popular karate styles in the world. He was a Japanese martial artist and philosopher who popularized karate in Japan and later around the world.
5

12
votes

Nakasone Genwa · Public domain

Chojun Miyagi

Chojun Miyagi was a Japanese martial artist who founded the Goju-ryu Karate discipline. He is known for his unique blend of hard and soft techniques, which is a hallmark of Goju-ryu Karate.
6

14
votes

Tatsuo Shimabuku

Tatsuo Shimabuku was a Japanese martial artist who founded the Isshin-ryu Karate discipline. He is known for his unique approach to karate, which integrates traditional Okinawan techniques with modern innovations.
7

11
votes

Kenji Tomiki

Kenji Tomiki was a Japanese martial artist who founded the Tomiki Aikido discipline, which incorporates karate techniques. He is known for his contributions to the development of modern martial arts and his emphasis on practical self-defense techniques.
8

8
votes

Hirokazu Kanazawa

Hirokazu Kanazawa is a Japanese karate master who has won numerous championships and is a founder of the Shotokan Karate-do International Federation. He is known for his technical precision and his dedication to the traditional karate principles.
9

9
votes

HistoryTuan · CC BY-SA 4.0

Hironori Otsuka

Hironori Otsuka was a Japanese martial artist who founded the Wado-ryu Karate discipline. He is known for his unique approach to karate, which incorporates elements of Jujutsu and other martial arts.
10

7
votes

Choshin Chibana

Choshin Chibana was a Japanese martial artist who founded the Kobayashi-ryu Karate discipline. He is known for his dedication to preserving the traditional Okinawan karate techniques and his emphasis on the spiritual aspects of martial arts.

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Ranking factors for famous practitioner

Achievements

The athlete's record in competitions and championships is an important consideration.
Technical Skills

The athlete's mastery of Karate techniques and their ability to apply them in real-life situations.
Influence

How much of an impact the athlete has made in Karate, both within their own country and internationally.
Popularity

How well-known the athlete is, both within the Karate community and among the general public.
Legacy

The athlete's contribution to the development of Karate and their influence on future generations of practitioners.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Karate practitioner. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or practitioner is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

4569 views
228 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each practitioner once every 24 hours. The rank of each practitioner is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous karate practitioner

Karate is a martial art form that originated in Okinawa, Japan, and has gained global popularity over the years. It involves a combination of punches, kicks, knee strikes, and open-hand techniques, making it a highly versatile form of self-defense. Karate practitioners are known for their discipline, focus, and physical prowess, which has earned them a reputation as some of the most skilled fighters in the world. Many famous figures, including Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, and Jackie Chan, have helped popularize karate through their movies and TV shows, making it a widely recognized and respected form of martial arts. Today, there are countless karate schools and competitions worldwide, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life who seek to master this ancient art form.