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Bernard Cherix was born 6 July 1927 in Val d'Illiez, a small village near Monthey. Upon an invitation of Henry Plee in Paris, he met in 1957 the Japanese Master Tejsuji Murakami. Right after that he opened the first Karate dojo in Switzerland, namely the "Institut of Combat Sports", today Dojo de Sion.
After visiting Paris week end after week end under the lessons of Master Murakami, Bernard Cherix achieved, as first Swiss citizen to get it, his Black Belt 1st Dan in Karate. This happened on the 10th September 1958.
Bernard Cherix became in 1963 President of the Karate section of the Swiss Judo Federation, in May 1964 he was elected Vice-president of the European Karate Commission in its second meeting, and again 2nd Vice-president of the by then EKU (European Karate Union) on its foundation the 21st November 1965. He also became in 1966 the first Swiss international referee, and from 1966 until 1973 he was the coach of the Swiss team, taking part in several European and World Championships.
The Swiss Karate Federation (SKV) was founded on the 29th August 1970. Bernard Cherix gave up after 13 years as pioneer of Karate in Switzerland and Paul J. Signer became the first President of the SKV. Bernard Cherix became then the first Honorary President of the SKV.
In 1972 Bernard Cherix was re-elected Vice-president of the EKU. He went on active in EKY until 1976.
With Bernard Cherix Switzerland loses its first karate pioneer. He contributed as nobody else to the karate development in Switzerland and consequently worldwide. Rest in peace
Our federation will open a new web site soon to sell wkf products.
