Mike Stone (karate)

Michael Stone (born June 29 1943 in Makawao, Maui, Hawaii)[1] is an American martial artist, retired karate fighter, fight choreographer, stuntman, actor, author, and motivational speaker.[2][3]

Mike Stone
BornMichael Stone
1943 (age 76–77)
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii, US
Other namesThe Animal
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Weight175 lb (79 kg; 12.5 st)[1]
Style Shorin-ryu Karate
Teacher(s)Herbert Peters
Rank10th degree black belt

Biography

Mike Stone was born in Makawao, Maui, Hawaii. Stone's first introduction to the martial arts was in Aikido while as a student Lahainaluna High School.[4] After graduating Stone enlisted in the US Army in 1962. Stone began studying Shorin-ryu Karate earning his black belt in only six months[2] under Herbert Peters while stationed at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas.[1] Well known for his karate tournament success in the 1960s, Stone known for his aggressiveness earned the nicknamed “The Animal”[3] would amass a record of 91 consecutive wins.[2] In 1964, Stone won the sparring grand championship at the first ever International Karate Championships in Long Beach, California.[3] Stone has authored several books, most notably Mike Stone’s Book of American Eclectic Karate.[5]

Stone met Elvis and Priscilla Presley in 1968 at the Mainland vs. Hawaii Karate Championships promoted by Elvis’ longtime karate instructor Ed Parker. In February 1972 Priscilla walked out on Elvis and moved in with Stone with whom she had been having a long affair. Stone had a young child and a pregnant wife. Stone had been working as a bodyguard for record producer Phil Spector.[6] After the show, Elvis invited Stone back to the couple's penthouse suite where Elvis suggested that Priscilla train with Stone.[7] Three weeks later Priscilla made the 45-minute drive to Stone's school in Huntington Beach. Because of the distance Priscilla opted to train with Chuck Norris who had a school in West Los Angeles, which was closer to the Presley home. Stone would make occasional trips to Norris's school to train Priscilla. The relationship soon turned romantic, contributing to Elvis and Priscilla's split in February 1972 and divorce in 1973. Stone and Priscilla would eventually split up because he sold a story to the Globe tabloid entitled "How I Stole Elvis Presley's Wife From Him". Priscilla said she split with Stone then, "because he went to the press".

Karate career highlights

In 1963, Stone won the Southwest Karate Championship in the black belt division. The promoter was Allen Steen, who held victories over Stone and Chuck Norris. At Ed Parker's 1964 Internationals Karate Championship, Stone defeated Harry Keolanui in the finals to become Grand Champion. In Chicago that same year, Stone scored victories over Ray Cooper and Mills Crenshaw to win the First World Karate Tournament. At the U.S. National Karate Championships in 1965, Stone won the championship by beating Walter Worthy. Also that year, Stone again won Ed Parker's International Karate Championship by defeating Art Pelela and Tony Tulleners. Three years later, Stone won the World Professional Karate Championship on November 24, 1968 by beating Bob Taian by points decision. In 1969 at the U.S. National Karate Championship, Stone lost an upset decision to Victor Moore.

Personal life

Stone has been married three times. He met his first wife, Mary Ann Dobbs, while in the army stationed at Fort Chaffee. He met his second wife, Francine Doxey in Newport Beach where he was working as a bouncer.[8] In 1985, Stone sold all his possessions and moved to an isolated island in the Philippines[2] where he and his current wife Taina live.[3]

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References
  1. Shimatsu, Roger (January 1970), "Tiger: Mike Stone's Formula For Winning Tournaments", Black Belt Magazine, pp. 16–25, retrieved July 28, 2013
  2. Hess, Christopher (December 1999), "Master Power: Mike Stone's Revolutionary Program Can Help You Achieve Martial Arts Excellence", Black Belt Magazine, pp. 98–103, retrieved July 28, 2013
  3. Coleman, Jim (September 1990), "Mike "The Animal or Tiger Mike Stone" Stone: Was He Karate's Greatest Fighter?", Black Belt Magazine, pp. 18–22, retrieved July 28, 2013
  4. Pollard, Maxwell (December 1967), "An Ex-Champ Chooses To Dare", Black Belt Magazine, pp. 46–47, retrieved July 28, 2013
  5. Stone, Mike (1984). Mike Stone's Book of American Eclectic Karate... (1st ed.). Contemporary Books. ISBN 978-0-809-25506-1.
  6. Corcoran, John (March 1998), "The King: The Story Behind Elvis Presley's Fascination With The Martial Arts", Black Belt Magazine, pp. 48–54, retrieved July 28, 2013
  7. Beaulieu Presley, Priscilla (1985). Elvis and Me... (1st ed.). Putnam Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-399-12984-1.
  8. Henry, Vernon (April 1965), "Mike Stone, The Instant Karate Champion", Black Belt Magazine, pp. 16–21, retrieved July 28, 2013
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