In Loving Memory: Chutinant “Nick” Bhirombhakdi

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of one of our leaders and dear friends, Chutinant “Nick” Bhirombhakdi. Nick lost his hard fought battle with cancer on Monday, September 12, 2022 in Boston Massachusetts.

Nick was a proud member of the Boston University Shotokan Karate Club under Master Tabata as well as President of the New England Collegiate Karate Conference (now NACKC). Nick brought his family business’s trademark emblem, the Singha Beer tiger, to the BU club as the club’s own unique symbol. He was instrumental in bringing traditional karate to Thailand and forming FATKO, the Federation of All Thai Karate-do Organization.

He was one of the most generous people in the Karate World that we had the pleasure of knowing. He sponsored a trip for his teammates from the Boston University Karate Club to visit Bangkok in 1989 and repeated it again inviting members of the NACKC to compete in Thailand nearly thirty years later.

Nick’s contribution to karate represented only a small portion of what he did for charities in Thailand and around the world. He often said that Sensei Tabata was like a second father to him while he was in Boston, looking after him when his family was so far away.

We will never forget you Nick. Prayers and Peace to his family.

…From all of his extended family in the NAKF and NACKC.

[Cross-posted on the NACKC Facebook page, here, and shared in the NAKF Facebook group, here.]