The History of K.B.I. (Europe)
Karate Budokan International (KBI) was first introduced in Wales in 1974 by Shihan Mike Tan from Karate Budokan Malaysia (KBM), where Shihan Mike Tan trained under Grandmaster Chew Choo Soot and attained his Shodan (first dan black belt) at the age of 16. He soon established karate clubs in Malaysia, two of which continue to this day. After coming to the UK, he established numerous dojos in the South Wales area, and spread the art of Budokan
To-date, Shihan Mike Tan has produced over one hundred junior and senior black belts of a high standard with students winning gold medals at national and international open championships. Shihan promoted KBI in Wales, UK, and Europe with the help og=f his senior black belts. Shihan organised numerous successful Open Karate Championship in Cardiff, attracting KBI competitors from as far as India, Norway, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Malaysia. Shihan Mike Tan was the chief referee at the KBI Norwegian Open Karate Championship with the blessing of our late GM Chew Choo Soot, held at the University of Bergen. During the late 1990s and early 2000 where he gained Welsh, British and European refereeing qualifications and has represented Wales, officiating in European Karate Championships (EKU) on numerous occasions.
On the 19th October 2024, we celebrated our 50th anniversary of KBI in Wales, and Europe. We are delighted that Richard Chew (Caretaker of KBI) came to joint us to celebrating this remarkable milestone, and he awarded Sihan Mike Tan (Hachi Dan/8th Dan). Over one hundred members, families, and friends attending a ‘black-tie’ evening at St. Melons Golf Club, Cardiff.
Following the passing of Grandmaster Chew Choo Soot his 2nd son Richard Chew succeeded him as the caretaker of KBI. Richard Chew is based in Sydney, Australia, he was Australian Kumite and Kata champion for many years and has trained Wayne MacDonald (now World Chief Instructor), who is 5 times all style Australia Champion. Grandmaster Richard and Wayne MacDonald have represented Australia for a number of years. Richard Chew travelled around the world and has visited Wales on several occasions most recently in February 2011. He conducted seminars for KBI members and invited karate associations from other styles and graded several black belt members most notably awarding Shihan Mike Tan his Hanchi Dan (8th Dan) grade on the 19th October 2024.
Membership to join KBI is open to karate association or club which is of a good standards and would like to further the traditional art of karate. For more information, please contact:mastermiketan@aol.co.uk
