James Chapman
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James Chapman
James A. Chapman began his study of Isshinryu Karate under
Master Don Nagle in May of 1958. He attained the rank of
Sho-Dan in the near record time of fourteen months which
was awarded him in July of 1959. Soon after his discharge
from the U.S. Marine Corps, he went to Jersey City and
became a partner in the association of Master Nagle. His
training in karate progressed favorably under Master Nagle
and he received the rank of Ni-Dan in March of 1960.
By the time he left Jersey City in October of 1960, he had
attained the rank of San-Dan. He moved to Chicago where he
opened a karate school in Chicago. He returned to Jersey
City frequently for additional training and, in September of
1962, was promoted to the rank of Yo-Dan.
Sensei Chapman opened the Academy of Martial Arts, his
second school, in Aurora, Illinois in February of 1963. In
addition, he later had schools in DeKalb and Joliet under his
direction.
Through countless participation in tournaments, Sensei
Chapman proved to be an able and spirited competitor. He
won third place in the "First World Karate Tournament" in
1963. His students were likewise known for their fine
tournament participation. His teaching ability was well
known as he had the rare talent of developing the potential
of his students to its greatest efficiency. He was further
honored by being elected Division Director of The Society of
Black Belts of America.
On May 2, 1971, Sensei James Chapman was killed in an
automobile accident. Ironically, he was on his way to the
funeral of his friend, Sensei Doug Noxon, who had also died
in an automobile accident five days earlier.
James A. Chapman began his study of Isshinryu Karate under
Master Don Nagle in May of 1958. He attained the rank of
Sho-Dan in the near record time of fourteen months which
was awarded him in July of 1959. Soon after his discharge
from the U.S. Marine Corps, he went to Jersey City and
became a partner in the association of Master Nagle. His
training in karate progressed favorably under Master Nagle
and he received the rank of Ni-Dan in March of 1960.
By the time he left Jersey City in October of 1960, he had
attained the rank of San-Dan. He moved to Chicago where he
opened a karate school in Chicago. He returned to Jersey
City frequently for additional training and, in September of
1962, was promoted to the rank of Yo-Dan.
Sensei Chapman opened the Academy of Martial Arts, his
second school, in Aurora, Illinois in February of 1963. In
addition, he later had schools in DeKalb and Joliet under his
direction.
Through countless participation in tournaments, Sensei
Chapman proved to be an able and spirited competitor. He
won third place in the "First World Karate Tournament" in
1963. His students were likewise known for their fine
tournament participation. His teaching ability was well
known as he had the rare talent of developing the potential
of his students to its greatest efficiency. He was further
honored by being elected Division Director of The Society of
Black Belts of America.
On May 2, 1971, Sensei James Chapman was killed in an
automobile accident. Ironically, he was on his way to the
funeral of his friend, Sensei Doug Noxon, who had also died
in an automobile accident five days earlier.
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