GRANDMASTER JIM ARVANITIS
"Father of Modern Pankration"
Grandmaster Pankratiast Jim Arvanitis commenced
his martial arts training at age 8 in Athens, Greece. His studies
include the Western styles of boxing, Greco-Roman Combat Grappling
(still taught in backyard schools in Greece), and Boxe Francaise Savate.
He began his intensive research into the history and concepts of the
ancient Hellenic pankration in 1963, as a young adult. Arvanitis'
supplemental training in Asian martial arts consists of Muay-Thai
and Combat Judo. The innovative Greek-American athlete modified many
of the techniques from this vast array of styles by adding modern
principles of kinesiology and leverage. In addition, supplemental
training, sound combative strategies, proper nutrition, and pragmatic
skills training became emphasized elements in his regimen.
What soon materialized was a single
entity that Mr. Arvanitis labeled Mu
Tau (a Greek acronym for "Martial
Truth").
SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Jim
Arvanitis, referred to as Keereeos (Greek:
Patriarch) by his followers, is internationally
recognized as the "Father
of Modern Pankration", having revived
the ancient Greek sport as a comprehensive
combat art in the late 1960's. Although
the term, itself, has always existed
in Greece, the practice of the original
art has been dormant for more than 2000
years. Arvanitis was the very first to
rebuild the art and expose it to the
international martial arts community
when he appeared on the cover of Black
Belt magazine in 1973.
He founded the first contemporary style
of the classic pankration called "Mu
Tau" in 1968. Many consider Arvanitis
to be one of the early pioneers of integrating
striking and submission grappling into
one system.
Arvanitis is the most famous martial
artist of Greek heritage in the Twentieth
Century, having been featured in over
200 national and international magazine
and newspaper articles. He has appeared
in the following martial arts publications:
Taekwondo Times; Karate/Kung-Fu
Illustrated; The World's Martial Arts
Elite; Black Belt (cover story); Inside
Kung-Fu; Karate International; Martial
Arts Ultimate Warriors; Karate Illustrated
; Official Karate; Fighting Stars; American
Karate; Oriental Fighting Arts (UK);
Inside Karate; Martial Arts Masters;
Martial Arts Legends; Official Karate;
Fighting Champions; World of Martial
Arts; Who's Who in American Martial Arts;
The Martial Arts Encyclopedia; Martial
Arts: Traditions, History, People; Martial
Arts Masters; Jiu Jitsu; The Karate Voice;
Grandmaster Magazine; Martial Arts Illustrated
(US); Martial Arts & Combat
Sports to name a few.
In addition, Grandmaster Arvanitis is
the recipient of several martial arts
awards, is the published author of two
books, and has starred in an instructional
video series with more tapes currently
in the planning stages. He has outstanding
records in both the ring and on the street,
and is the world record holder of various
highly-publicized physical fitness feats
including 'thumb' pushups (61 in 45 seconds)
and one-arm thumb pushups.
His teaching experience spans over two
decades on both coasts. Jim's students
include karate black belts, boxers, kickboxers,
wrestlers, film writers, bodyguards,
law enforcement and SWAT team members,
United States marines and the Army special
forces. He played an instrumental role
in preparing the ground troops for the
Persian Gulf War.
Among his American television appearances
are "The Mike Douglas Show", "The
Good Day Show", "The Guinness
Game", "That's Incredible", "Guinness
Book World Records Show", "That's
Entertainment", and "Amazing
People".
Grandmaster Arvanitis has been inducted
into several Halls of Fame and has received
numerous awards from these organizations
in recognition of his vast accomplishments.
He is an Executive Board Member of the
prestigious World Head of Family Sokeship
Council, the most prestigious group of
recognized grandmasters in the world.
It is in light of these achievements
that many of his admirers refer to him
as Greek Pankration's "Rennaissance
Man".
CURRENT OBJECTIVES
Jim
Arvanitis continues to promote the Hellenic
fighting arts throughout the world. He
is presently spearheading the movement
to bring all hellenic martial artists
together as one fist of unity.
Link to Pankration Web Pages
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