DEMURA, FUMIO (1940- ) Japanese-American karate instructor, weapons expert, and performer. A former All Japan Karate Champion, Demura immigrated to the U.S. in 1965. He was named to the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1969 as “Karate Instructor of the Year” and was also named by that publication as the 1975 “Martial Artist of the Year.” Chief instructor of the American branch of the Japanese Karate Federation, Demura and his partner, Dan Ivan, own and operate a chain of karate studios in Orange County, Calif. Demura is recognized as American karate’s first professional performer. Demura produced the University of California at Irvine Karate Championships in 1967, the Japanese Village Championships in 1969, and the Orange Coast College Championships in 1971. In 1973 he was the recipient of a Golden Fist Award as California’s outstanding tournament official. In addition to Nunchaku: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense. Demura has written texts on the basics of Shito-ryu karate, the sai (short sword), and the bo (staff). In 1975 Demura was named to the Who’s Who in the Martial Arts.