Sensei Kanani 6th Dan Chief Instructor

Having more than forty years of karate experience and being a direct student of Hidetaka Nishiyama, the co-founder of JKA and chairman of I.T.K.F., Sensei Falah Kanani is the chief instructor of the Japan Karate Association of San Diego and AAKF technical board member. As a 6th Dan (degree) black belt, Sensei Kanani is an internationally respected competitor and a certified Instructor with the J.K.A., A.A.K.F. and I.T.K.F. He brings to San Diego his past and present competitive background as a National and International competitor. Falah Kanani was born in Mosul, Iraq and was raised in Baghdad, Iraq. At the age of thirteen, Sensei Kanani began his karate training with Sensei Hideki Okamoto, the chief JKA instructor of the entire Middle Eastern region. At this very young age, Sensei Kanani took on a growing interest in martial arts.One of the first books Sensei Kanani read was one by Gichin Funakoshi who is known today as the father of modern karate. Funakoshi was the first to introduce the Okinawa art to mainland Japan. Sensei Kanani was greatly inspired and motivated by Funakoshi's discipline, expertise and style.In 1976 Sensei Kanani was selected to become an active member of the Iraqi National Team, as he was one of the first of four students in Iraq to achieve his black belt. He became an admirable student to Tiras Odisho, the Iraqi National Team coach, for his talent, discipline and advanced skill. As a result of Sensei Kanani's superb knowledge and abilities, he was chosen to become Mr. Odisho's assistant. Additionally, he began assisting and teaching at the local universities and other public associations. In 1979, Falah represented the Iraqi National team in it's first International competition against Lebanon and Palestine. According to Iraq's Sport National Newspaper Falah was the only outstanding competitor. Then, in early 1980, the all Japan and JKA Champion, Masashi Sakata, prepared Kanani to represent the Iraqi National Team at the World Championship that took place in Bremen, Germany.