Six Individuals honored into the Museum Hall of Fame

(NewMediaWire) - August 18, 2024 - Glendale, CA – This week, the Martial Arts History Museum honored six individuals into its most prestigious club, the Museum’s Hall of Fame. The induction celebration took place at the museum’s new location in Glendale, CA. The seats of their new theater were nearly filled with spectators and peers of the honorees.

Each year, the Martial Arts History Museum inducts 11 individuals into their hall. Ten are selected for their historical accomplishments and are earmarked for competitors, experts, legends, and iconic figures that have changed history. Another member was added to the hall as the “Funakoshi Contributors Award.” This is the highest honor bestowed by the museum for their selfless contributions to the martial arts or to the museum.

Although the martial arts has been a major part of American society since the 1960s, it has never had an actual museum that would be considered the gatekeeper for martial arts history. This is until the Martial Arts History Museum began in 1999 which was the same year they launched the Museum’s Hall of Fame.

“We wanted to establish a single, official hall for the martial arts community. The community isn’t organized and Hall of Fame pop-up all over the world every year. So, in 1999 it was felt that the museum create a hall that would be regarded as the official hall for the arts,” says museum president Michael Matsuda.

This year Jun Chong, Michelle Manu, and Robert Redfeather were inducted at this week's ceremony. Bill Webber, Joan Kosche, and Robin Price were also inducted into the Hall of Fame via the Funakoshi Award.

When the museum relocated its facility from Burbank's 1,600 square foot location to Glendale’s 8,000 square foot space, a Museum Hall of Fame Wall was installed which represents all the inductees since 1999.

“Even though we do have several books identifying what the individuals did to get into the hall of fame, we are launching a fundraising campaign so that we can purchase a kiosk that will enable visitors to look at a particular hall member's biography and video with the touch of a screen,” adds Matsuda.

Information about the museum can be found at MAmuseum.com or visit the museum at 201 N. Brand Blvd., B100, Glendale, CA 91203.