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When
you think of Chuck Norris, you either immediately think
action movie star (recalling his numerous feature films) or
television star, for his long-running CBS television series,
"Walker, Texas Ranger."
But
prior to that, Chuck was a martial arts star, winning many
martial arts championships including being a six-time
undefeated World Professional MiddleWeight Karate Champion.
Chuck was also a renowned teacher in the martial arts. Some
of his students were Steve McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla
Presley and Donnie & Marie Osmond.
From
1964 to 1968, Chuck won many State, National, and
International amateur karate titles. In 1968, Chuck fought
and won the World Professional MiddleWeight Karate
championships by defeating the World's Top Fighters. He held
that title until 1974 when he retired undefeated.
In
1968, Chuck was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as
Fighter of the Year. In 1975, he was inducted as Instructor
of the Year and in 1977, Chuck received the honor of Man of
the Year.
Chuck
is also founder and President of United Fighting Arts
Federation with over 2,300 black belts all over the world.
In
1997, Chuck achieved another milestone in his life by being
the first man ever in the Western Hemisphere to be awarded
an 8th degree Black Belt Grand Master recognition in the Tae
Kwon Do system. This was a first in 4,500 years of
tradition.
Chuck's
intense drive and determination extended beyond his martial
arts and acting career. He became an offshore powerboat
racer with speeds of 140 miles per hour. In 1991, Chuck with
his team and sponsor "Popeye Chicken" won the
World Off Shore Powerboat championships. Then he went on to
setting a new world record by racing a 38 foot Scarab boat
605 miles across the Great Lakes, from Chicago to Detroit,
in 12 hours and 8 minutes.
In
1988, Chuck wrote his autobiography, "The Secret of
Inner Strength", for Little Brown Publishing, which
became a New York Times Best Seller. He followed up a few
years later with a second book, "The Secret Power
Within: Zen Solutions to Real Problems", also with
Little Brown Publishing.
Chuck
was asked how he would like to be remembered. Chuck's answer
was as a Humanitarian. He has gotten a good start by:
1.)
Being the spokesperson for United Way, doing an eight-minute
commercial, which helped bring in over two billion dollars.
2.)
Veterans Administration spokesperson visiting over 12 V.A.
hospitals and speaking with World War II, Korean and Vietnam
War Veterans including one from World War I.
3.)
Winning the 1998 Epiphany award on Walker, Texas Ranger for
the best Christian program.
4.)
The Jewish Humanitarian Man of the Year Award.
5.)
Actively involved with the Make A Wish Foundation for 20
years by making dreams come true for terminally ill
children.
6.)
BMI Music Television Award for Walker, Texas Ranger theme
song, "Eyes of a Ranger".
7.)
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame.
8.)
Commissioned Police Officer for Terrell, Texas.
9.)
Motivational speaker for many Christian ministries, such as
T.D. Jakes Ministry, Trinity Broadcasting, and Bill Glass
Crusade.
But
Chuck thinks his most rewarding accomplishment was the
creation of his Kick-Start
Foundation. With the help of President George Bush, Chuck
implemented a program teaching the martial arts to 150
high-risk children at M C Williams Middle School in Houston,
Texas, as part of the school curriculum. The program was so
successful in helping these kids raise their self-esteem and
instilling discipline and respect, as well as getting them
out of gangs, that the program is now in 30 schools with
over 4,200 young boys and girls actively participating.
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