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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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