Karatê was brought here in the beggning of the 20 century and became very popular, and like Judo or capoeira they were part of the vale-tudo scene here in the beggning of the century.
One of the reasons karatê was soo accepeted is because his aspect of phisical education (the training were like hell, nothing compared to the mcdojos you see on movies), and self defense.
Karatê has vaious styles, every styles has his own aspects whem it's come to fight, kyokushin guys trade thecniques and shotokan guys usually try to hit without getting hit.
Mitsuke Harada is one of the pioners of the martial art here in Brasil, he opened the legendary dojo in the Quintino Bocaiuva street in 1956.
Jumping a couple of decades in the midle of the 90's the karateka from the kyokushin style Francisco Filho became a legend after being the firts man to finish the 100 man kumite and being able to walk with his on legs.
Before Francisco we had Ademir da Costa that late founded the Seiwakai style, Ademir was the first brazilian to do the 100 man kumitê.
Karatê is very strong in Europe, IN 1950 several japanese karatê instructos started teaching the art in europe, but only in 1965 that JKA, sent four well trained youg instructor to help develop the martial art and expand in europe, those man were Hiroshi Shirai, Hirokazu Kanazawa, Taiji Kase and Keinosuke Enoeda.
European karatekas are usually strong and very athletic.
Russia and China are very strong in karate too.
Important dates on karatê history:
Significant Dates in the History of Karate
1905: Karate is included in Okinawa’s physical education programs at the intermediate level.
1917: Funakoshi gives the first public demonstration of karate-do.
1922: Funakoshi is invited by Dr. Jano Kano to give a demonstration at the Kodokan Dojo, bringing karate-do to Japan.
1924: The first university karate club is established in Japan, at Keio University.
1930s: Karate makes its way to Canada.
1936: Okinawan masters meet to discuss karate in Okinawa, a meeting sponsored by the newspaper Ryukyu Shimpo.
1939: Japan opens Shoto-Kan, its first formal training school.
1945: The first dojo is opened in the United States.
1949: The Japan Karate Association is formed.
1950s: Karate is introduced in the United Kingdom.
1960s: Karate makes its way to the Soviet Union and is banned and unbanned several times over the next three decades.
1964: France Shotokan Karate is created in France.
1989: Karate is legalized once again in the Soviet Union.
[b][color=#FF0000]Source:http://www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-karate.htm
