JIM HARRISON

Any veteran of the martial arts will tell you that the 1960s were known as the “blood and guts” era of American karate. Chances are that person also will tell you that one of the pioneers of this period — not to mention, one of the toughest fighters ever — was Jim Harrison. Born on December 30, 1936, the man they called “Ronin” built an impeccable reputation in the combat arts, one that persisted until he passed away on February 23, 2020.

Harrison earned the respect and admiration of countless martial artists, and he crafted a career that was as noteworthy as he was. In part, he did that by competing in, coaching and refereeing judo, point-karate and full-contact tournaments. Later, he promoted the first professional tournament in karate history from in Kansas City, Missouri. He also served his community as a law-enforcement officer and a bodyguard for VIPs. These are just a few of the accomplishments that ensured that Jim Harrison was as feared on the street as he was in the ring.