Henry Slomanski

Who is Henry Slomanski?

Henry "Hammering Hank" Slomanski was a karate champion and later the International Commissioner of Karate in the United States. Slomanski began his karate training in Japan while a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. The type of karate practiced by Slomanski was Chitō-ryū. After retiring from the Army, Slomanski became an ordained minister in the Eastern Orthodox Church of the East.

Slomanski joined the U.S. Army on June 26, 1946. Over six feet two inches tall and possessed of superb physical fitness, Slomanski rose through the ranks to end his military career as a Sergeant-Major, having served in airborne infantry, ranger, and special forces units. Slomanski served in combat in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, retiring from the Army in 1966.

While on military assignment in Japan, Slomanski began his training in karate under the guidance of Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, a karate master. An outstanding student, Slomanski went on to become the karate champion of Japan in 1953. In 1956, he was named the International Commissioner of Karate in the United States. Among the students of Slomanski was Elvis Presley.