Mikio Yahara (; born April 4, 1947, in Ehime Prefecture) is a Japanese karate expert of the Shotokan style. He holds the rank of 10th dan.
Biography
Mikio Yahara was born in Ehime Prefecture in 1947 and has deep samurai roots. He started his martial art training in judo. After studying at Kokushikan University, he became a kenshusei (or junior instructor) with the Japan Karate Association and began his career as a competitive karateka. From 1974 to 1984, he achieved substantial success both in kumite and kata.
In 2000, Mikio Yahara founded the Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF) to pursue the true way of karate as a unique way of martial arts. As of 2023, he is the grandmaster of this large global organization spanning 63 countries.
Having earned the trust of political, business, and other important figures around the world, Grandmaster Yahara remains active today. Mikio Yahara leads International Security Service and utilizes karate to protect dignitaries.
Tournament achievements
JKA All-Japan Championships
1984 - 3rd (kumite), 1st (kata), Grand Champion
1983 - 2nd (kata) 1982 - 3rd (kumite), 2nd (kata) 1981 - 2nd (kata) 1980 - 2nd (kata) 1979 - 3rd (kumite) 1978 - 2nd (kumite), 2nd (kata) 1976 - 3rd (kumite) 1975 - 2nd (kumite) 1974 - 1st (team kumite)
JKA/IAKF World Championships
1983 (Egypt) - 1st (team kumite), 1st (team kata), 2nd (kata) 1980 (Germany) - 1st (team kumite), 1st (team kata), 2nd (kata) 1977 (Japan) - 1st (team kumite), 1st (team kata), 2nd (kata) 1975 (USA) - 1st (team kumite), 1st (team kata)
Asian Championships
1974 (Singapore) - 1st (team kumite) 1983 (Singapore) - 1st (kumite), 1st (kata)
WUKO/JKA World Cup
1984 (Hungary) - 1st (kata), 1st (team kata)