Shihan Gabor Kurdi - In Memoriam
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In Memoriam
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The International Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-do Federation remembers, with pride and great sadness, one of the Founders of Hungarian Karate whose contributions to the development of, and cultivation to, Karate will remain significantly impactful. At every level, as practitioner, instructor, and community leader, Shihan Kurdi illustrated his multi-faceted interests, tremendous motivation and the institutional savvy that successfully helped bring Karatedo as an art and sport to public forums.
As a young man, Gabor Kurdi invested focus upon academics; he graduated as an electrical engineer while reconciling his pursuit of a broad scope of martial arts throughout the 60s and 70s. While today we often take such information for granted, the gleaning of 'secret' information-or that which was once certainly obscure technical instruction- required intense personal motivation. There are enumerable hallmarks and anecdotal stories that will be enthusiastically shared of Shihan Kurdi but everyone will certainly attest to this man's will power. His was an ability to 'hang his hat' on an idea, organize by all matter and means to feature his beloved Karate, and ensure successful outcomes. Such motivation was also a trademark testament to Kurdi in his pursuit of knowledge; he sought training within a wide spectrum of martial art systems inclusive of Judo, ju-Jitsu, and Kendo. The first exposure to Karate was within the Shotokan system.
Following his enthusiasm for Karate, his dojo was established in Budapest, Hungary in 1977. As world level competitions grew within a newly established world organization (WUKO), Budapest, Hungary was chosen for the location for the 1984 World Cup. Sensei Kurdi naturally took part in organizational matters that featured stunning organizational framework, full stadiums, and seamless timing, and latest technology on display. Cultural infusions and entertainment fused with exceptional attention to hospitality, media savvy/exposure and seamless execution. Serendipitously, the United States fielded their USA Karate National Team with Julius Thiry as member of the WUKO Referee Council. He also was the instructor of three of the fielded American athletes. Shihan Kurdi kindly offered Shihan Thiry his dojo as a place that could accommodate personal training. Naturally, courtesies included Shihan Thiry sharing the training and techniques within the scope of a joint practice and observation in the days preceding the competition. It was then that Kurdi made the decision to request membership under the tutelage of Thiry. The USA team won their silver medals and Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu was born in Hungary. Gabor Kurdi never loss momentum. His engine ran enthusiastically on full speed. Never short of exploring and expanding Karate at all levels, Kurdi authored books-historical references and even teaching tools for the onslaught of the youngest of students. Enumerable additional hallmark events brought international seminars, events and competitions for all ages and skill levels to Hungary for decades… until the present. Earning the rank of a Sichi-dan, Kurdi was awarded the title of Shihan in 2005 in recognition of the plethora of productivity as a student, teacher, and active citizen in all the communities of which he was a part.
As Vice President of International Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation since 2008, one of our treasured citizens has passed to us a hard won baton carried for nearly half a century, to his own finish line. Able to witness many of the fruits of his long labors, Shihan Kurdi has left many legacies worth honoring. We remember his legacy of mischief and fun, a stubborn insistence on novel ideas with or without a consensus, an ability to authentically address anyone in any arena without hesitation…characteristics that might not seem meaningful until one grasps the requisites for successful outcomes. It's not always the imaginative ideas. It's the stuff of Shihan Kurdi--come hell or high water, he doesn't mind the requisite disruption of correctly framing and finishing an entire project. As a standard bearer of follow through, for his grasp of life's greatest meanings and for his curiosity and generosity, may we always honor Shihan Gabor Kurdi and share often our warmest stories.
Our heartfelt condolences goes out to his wife Dr. Nora Tancsa and his son Ferenc Kurdi.