Vic Moore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vic Moore |
|
|---|---|
| Born | August 23, 1943 Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Residence | Lumberton, North Carolina |
| Style | Shuri-ryū Karate, Kempo Karate, Shotokan Karate, Chito-Ryu |
| Teacher(s) | Robert Trias, William J. Dometrich, Ronald Williams, Barry Yasuto |
| Rank | 10th dan black belt in Shuri-ryū 10 th dan black belt in Kempo 1st dan black belt in Shotokan 3 dan black belt in Chito-Ryu |
| Notable students | Chisato Mishima |
Victor Moore, born on August 23, 1943, is a highly respected martial artist. He holds a 10th-degree black belt in Karate, which is one of the highest ranks you can achieve! He was a main instructor for Robert Trias, a very important figure in American Karate. Vic Moore also trained in other styles like Chito-ryu. He has been studying martial arts for over 50 years and has won four world karate championships.
Contents
The Journey of a Karate Champion
Vic Moore started his journey in martial arts by traveling to many tournaments. He went to places as far away as Canada with his students. Later, he opened several karate schools in the Cincinnati area. He also traveled across the Midwest and East Coast, sharing his skills.
Training with Robert Trias
Because he was so successful in competitions, Vic Moore met Robert Trias. Trias is known as the "father of American Karate." Trias saw Moore's talent and took him under his wing. Moore continued to train with Trias at different tournaments and seminars. He learned the Kempo and Goju-Ryu styles of Karate. Moore visited the USKA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, many times. There, he earned higher ranks, even reaching his Master's level.
Learning from Maung Gyi
While at the USKA, another great teacher, Maung Gyi, also took Vic Moore as a personal student. Gyi taught him Bando, which is a martial art from Myanmar. He also taught Moore stick fighting and how to use many different weapons. Maung Gyi was also Moore's kickboxing instructor. He taught Moore all the moves of Thai boxing.
Introducing Kickboxing to America
In 1973, Vic Moore and Joe Lewis helped introduce kickboxing to America. They showed it on the Merv Griffin TV show. They were the first to bring kickboxing to national television. They were also among the first professional kickboxers in the United States. In the very first kickboxing tournament in the U.S., Jim Harrison defeated Moore.
A Pioneer in Martial Arts
Vic Moore is known for many "firsts" in the martial arts world:
- He was one of the first African-Americans to win a major karate competition. This happened at the 1965 USKA Grand Nationals.
- He competed in the first kickboxing championship in 1971 against Jim Harrison.
- He helped introduce kickboxing to America with Joe Lewis in 1973 on the Merv Griffin show.
- He was featured in the movie Black Karate with Jim McLain and Robert Trias.
- He helped form the WKA organization in 1974.
Today, Vic Moore gives seminars all over the U.S. He lives in Lumberton, North Carolina, where he teaches privately from his home.
Top Competitions
Moore has fought against some of the best fighters in the world. He competed against famous martial artists like Michael G. Foster, Mike Stone, Jim 'Ronin' Harrison, Fred Wren, Chuck Norris, and Joe Lewis.
World Championships Won
Vic Moore won four world championships:
- In 1966, he defeated the Hawaiian champion in Richmond, Virginia.
- In 1968, he defeated Joe Lewis at the World's Fair Karate Championships.
- In 1969, he defeated Mike Stone in Pasadena, California. This win was for the light heavyweight championship at the world teams championship.
- In 1970, he defeated the legendary Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. This made him the USKA's first professional world champion.
Moore placed in every tournament he entered from 1965 until 1975. After 1975, he retired from competing.
