re: Chuck Norris has died

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Wikipedia article

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Norris joined the United States Air Force as an Air Policeman (AP) in 1958 and was sent to Osan Air Base, South Korea. It was there that Norris acquired the nickname "Chuck" and began his training in Tang Soo Do (tangsudo).[7] When he returned to the United States, he continued to serve as an AP at March Air Force Base in California.[8][9] He was discharged from the Air Force in August 1962 with the rank of Airman first class. Following his military service, Norris applied to be a police officer in Torrance, California, opening up a martial arts studio while on the waiting list.[10] He also began participating in martial arts competitions. Norris was defeated in his first two tournaments, dropping decisions to Joe Lewis and Allen Steen, and lost three rounds at the International Karate Championships to Tony Tulleners. However, he improved enough that he ended up scoring victories over the likes of Vic Moore, eventually winning the 1967 tournament of karate as he defeated seven opponents until finally triumphing over his ultimate fight with Skipper Mullins.[11] On June 24 of that year, Norris was declared champion at the S. Henry Cho's All-American Karate Championship at the Madison Square Garden, taking the title from Julio LaSalle and defeating Joe Lewis.[12][13][14] During this time, Norris worked for the Northrop Corporation and opened a chain of karate schools; his official website lists Steve and Chad McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, and Donny and Marie Osmond as celebrity clients.[15]

Norris suffered the tenth and final loss of his career in early 1968, losing an upset decision to Louis Delgado. On November 24, he avenged his defeat to Delgado and by doing so won the Professional Middleweight Karate champion title, which he then held for six consecutive years.[4] On April 1, Norris successfully defended his All-American Karate Championship title, in a round-robin tournament, at the Karate tournament of champions of North America.[16] Again that year, Norris won for the second time the All-American Karate Championship. It was the last time Norris participated and retired undefeated.[17][18] While competing, Norris met Bruce Lee, who at the time was known for the TV series The Green Hornet. They developed a friendship, as well as a training and working relationship.

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Chuck Norris held a 183-10-2 record and was a 6x world champion in full contact bare knuckle karate.

On top of that, he beat heavyweight kickboxing world champion Joe Lewis 3 consecutive times and also had a brutal sparring match with undefeated kickboxing world champion, Bill Superfoot Wallace, that lasted an hour and a half. According to Wallace, they practically stalemated and "beat the crap out of each other".

Chuck was trained in kickboxing/boxing by Benny The Jet Urquidez and was also trained in BJJ by the Gracies and Machados for 20 years. Even being able to submit Carlos Machado himself on occasion.

Chuck had a 315 Ibs bench press at 180 lbs bodyweight and was said to have a grip back in the day that nobody could escape from because he was so strong. Even Jean Claude Van Damme said he'd never fight Chuck Norris, despite being a kickboxing world champion himself.

Chuck held a 10th degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do, a 9th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, an 8th degree black belt in Taekwondo, a 5th degree black belt in Karate, a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a black belt in Judo.

Rest in peace, Chuck!

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