Joe Lewis
Joe Lewis (1944–2012) was an American karateka and kickboxer, a student of Bruce Lee, undefeated U.S. heavyweight kickboxing champion, and 1974 PKA world champion.
Quick Facts
United StatesBiography
Joe Lewis was born on 7 March 1944 in Knightdale, North Carolina. He became famous as a karateka and kickboxer: from 1966 to 1969 he was grand champion of the U.S. Nationals, and in 1974 he won the PKA world heavyweight full-contact karate title.
In 1962 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served, among other places, in Okinawa (May 1964 – November 1965) and in Vietnam with signal units. In Okinawa he trained in Shorin-ryu karate; his teachers were Eizo Shimabukuro, John Korab, Chinsaku Kinjo and Seiyu Oyata. He earned his black belt in seven months. From 1967 to 1968 he trained privately under Bruce Lee in Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do.
In 1968 he became the first professional karateka to compete for prize money, one dollar. From 1970 to 1971 he was the undefeated U.S. heavyweight kickboxing champion, with a record of 10–0. In 1975 he was inducted into the Black Belt magazine Hall of Fame.
His competitive record was 16 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw, including 14 knockouts; he ended his career in 1983. In 2011 he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and died on 31 August 2012 in Coatesville at the age of 68.
Teachers, students and family
Associated Martial Arts
An Okinawan striking art reshaped in the 20th century into Japanese budo and an Olympic sport. Built on kata and hand and foot techniques.
Jeet Kune DoNotable figure→A system that Bruce Lee named in 1967. It grew out of Wing Chun, added fencing and boxing, and rejected prearranged forms. Today it is taught by the Original JKD and JKD Concepts lineages.
Achievements and honours
- U.S. Nationals Grand ChampionNational Championships · 1st place · 1966
- PKA World Heavyweight Full-Contact Karate ChampionWorld Championships · 1st place · 1974
- Black Belt Magazine Hall of FameHall of Fame · 1975