By
the time he returned to the United States in 1960, Mirakian
had been promoted by Yagi to 3rd degree black belt (Sandan)..
Mirakian set up residence in Massachusetts and became the
first teacher to offer instruction in
traditional
Okinawan Meibukan Goju-ryu Karate-do in the Americas.
At
that time, he began his lifetime effort to educate the American
public on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual
benefits of a lifestyle that incorporates traditional karate-do
study and training.
Eventually,
he opened the Okinawan Karate-do Academy in Watertown, MA,
and still offers classes there today.
.
In 1972, Mirakian was appointed by Grandmaster Yagi to be
the Overseas General Manager for the Meibukan Goju-ryu Karate-do
Association, an international karate-do association association
founded in 1960 by Yagi in Kume, Naha City, Okinawa.
Mirakian's
academy in Watertown, MA was designated as the official
North American Headquarters for that organization, and it
remains so to this day.
In
1985, Mirakian was invited to attend Grandmaster Yagi's
73rd birthday celebration in Okinawa by his older son, Meitatsu
Yagi. As the official United States representative of Meibukan
Goju-ryu karate-do, Mirakian attended the event with his
family, gave a congratulatory address, and performed a Seenchin
kata in Meitoku Yagi's honor. On the occasion of that visit,
Grandmaster Yagi promoted Mirakian to 8th degree black belt
(Hachidan, Kyoshi).
In
1990, Mirakian returned to Okinawa again to attend and participate
in the 30th Anniversary celebration of the founding of the
Meibukan Goju-ryu Karate-do Association.
It was held on August 18, 1990 at the Shimin Kaikan in Ginowan,
Okinawa.
Mirakian
was accompanied by a number of his karate students, who
also performed at this historic event. On the occasion of
that visit, on October 21, 1990, Grandmaster Yagi promoted
Mirakian to the very high rank of 9th degree black belt
(Kudan, Hanshi).
He
is the first and only Goju-ryu master outside of Okinawa
to be granted that honor to this day.
Sensei Anthony Mirakian is currently the most senior active
student of Grandmaster Meitoku Yagi. He has been teaching
"the true art" for over 40 years. His Okinawan
Karate-do Academy offers traditional Goju-ryu karate-do
training in its purest traditional form - featuring a rigorous
training program based on the intensive training he received
under Grandmaster Yagi in Okinawa decades ago.
He is a recognized and celebrated pioneer in promoting the
practice of traditional Okinawan Goju-ryu karate-do outside
of Okinawa.
He
has been featured, discussed, and quoted in a number of
prominent martial arts books and journals on karate - such
as the "Martial Arts - Traditions, History, People"
by John Corcoran and Emil Farkas, "Martial Arts for
Beginners" by Ron Sieh, "Fighting Arts International"
Journal, "Professional Karate" magazine, etc.
And,
he is a living testament to the benefits of life-long karate-do
practice.
Sensei Mirakian currently has two international representatives
that he has authorized to represent his authentic Okinawan
Meibukan Goju-ryu karate-do tradition. They are:
Lex
Opdam (Netherlands)
Hing-Poon
Chan (Canada)
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