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Who's Who

Who’s Who in the martial arts on USAdojo.com shares biographies and articles about the Founders, the Masters, the Pioneers, the Competitors and the “Stars” of the martial arts.

Anthony Chan Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame

Anthony Chan

Anthony Chan is a Chinese-American kung fu champion and American choreographer. He was known as the The Wu shu Wizard and is a Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee.
Michael DePasquale, Jr.

Michael DePasquale, Jr. Has Passed Away

Soke Michael DePasquale Jr., a highly skilled Jujutsu master, studied Yoshitsune Waza under his father and developed his Combat Yoshitsune Jujutsu system.

Fumio Demura Has Passed Away

In 1961 Shihan Fumio Demura won the National Kumite title of Japan. He was now teaching karate in Tokyo, but had the desire to come to the United States.

Judo Gene Lebell Has Passed Away

It is 1953 and Gene LeBell, "The Toughest Man Alive," is in training for the 1954 AAU United States National Judo Championships, he is...
Leo Fong

Leo Fong Has Passed Away

Leo Fong was a pioneer in Chinese martial arts in America. He developed his own approach called Wei Kuen Do. He was also an author and martial arts film star.
Pat Burleson

J. Pat Burleson: American Karate System

Pat Burleson founder of the American Karate system, is a 10th degree Black Belt, and won the first US National Championship in Washington D.C. in 1964.

Bobby Taboada: Cuentada Balintawak

Grand Master Bobby Taboada was raised in Cebu City, Philippines, a thriving martial arts culture and the birthplace of Balintawak. After studying karate, boxing,...

John Natividad Has Passed Away

John Natividad was a world-rated karate fighter who appeared in Top 10 polls in Black Belt and Professional Karate and in Elvis Presley's American Gladiators.

Bruce Tegner – The Forgotten Pioneer of American Martial Arts

Emil Farkas shares why, to him, Bruce Tegner was the most important person responsible for the spread and the growth of karate in the United States.

Stephen Labounty: American Kenpo

The video above shares highlights of the AIK 2018 Sigung LaBounty Tribute - When Legends Rise in Tucson, Arizona. At this event Mr. ...
Skipper Mullins

Skipper Mullins Top 10 Fighter Has Passes Away

Lewis Skipper Mullins began his training at the Red Bird National Guard Armory in October 1963 under Allen R. Steen. He was named Vice...

Hirokazu Kanazawa Passed Away Peacefully

Hirokazu Kanazawa was a world-renowned Japanese master of Shotokan karate and the Chief instructor and President of the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation, an organisation...
Pete Morales

SGM Pete Morales

Pete Morales was born in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii. He began his martial arts training under Jiro Nakamura and Clarence Takinuma. In 1959 he received...

David Ticky Donovan O.B.E.

Born in 1947, David Ticky Donovan O.B.E., is a British karate competitor and coach. He was the coach and manager of both the British...

Shaolin Kenpo’s Ralph Castro Has Passed Away

Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro held a 10th Dan in Shaolin Kenpo. He began martial arts training in 1955 in Hawaii with the late Great...

Hawkins Cheung: Yip Man Wing Chun

Hawkins Cheung was recognized as the most senior Yip Man Wing Chun instructor in the U.S. and one of the top practitioners in the...