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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.

One of the Greatest Don “the Dragon” Wilson

Unquestionably, one of the greatest kickboxing champions of all time, Don “The Dragon” Wilson is the only kick-boxer to win 11 world titles in...
Peter Urban

Peter Urban: USA Goju

In 1953 Peter Urban was a young sailor when he was introduced to karate in Yokohama, Japan. After training for one year with Sensei...

Hayward Nishioka One of the Best Judo Players Ever

During the 1960’s, Hayward Nishioka was United States Division judo Champion three times, in 1965, 1966 and 1970. In 1965 he retired as the National...
Kosaku Matsumora

Kosaku Matsumora: Okinawan Karate Master

Kosaku Matsumora was an Okinawan karate master born in 1829 in the Ryukyu Kingdom. He is said to have studied Tomari-te under Karyu Uku...
Walter Todd

Walter Todd: Shudokan Karate

Walter Todd had a career in the martial arts for over 50 years, and although he generally avoided the limelight, he was featured in...

Don Nagle: Isshinryu Karate

Don Nagle was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on April 5, 1938. As a teenager in high school he began studying Goju-Ryu Karate. He enlisted with...

Kisshomaru Ueshiba: Aikido

Kisshomaru Ueshiba was born on June 27, 1921 in Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. He  was a prominent Japanese master of aikido. He was the...

Harold Long: Isshin-Ryu Karate

Harold Long was born in Rockwood, Tennessee, on September 3, 1930. He was one of thirteen children born of Bessie Marie Fance Long and John...

Don Buck: Kyokushinkai

When war broke out in 1941, Don Buck attempted to join the service, but he was too young. When he turned 16, in 1942,...
Shoshin Nagamine

Shoshin Nagamine: Matsubayashi-Ryu

Karate master Shoshin Nagamine was born on July 15, 1907 and passed away on November 2, 1997. He was born in Tomari, Naha, Okinawa and...
Pat Johnson

Pat Johnson Tang Soo Do

If you don't believe Pat Johnson deserves to be Black Belt magazine's 1995 Instructor of the Year, you try teaching turtles how to fight. Among...
Yasuichi Matsumoto

Yasuichi Matsumoto: Judo

A Japanese judoka, Yasuichi Matsumoto, was born on May 25, 1918 and died on March 6, 1996. He won the All-Japan Judo Championships in...
Fujita Seiko, Taira Shinken, Sakagami Ryusho & Inoue Motokatsu

Ryusho Sakagami: Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai

Ryusho Sakagami was born in 1915 in Hyogo Prefecture, Kawanishi City of Japan, His father made saki and the family wine making business made him...
Motokatsu Inoue

Motokatsu Inoue: Yui Shin Kai and Ryukyu Kobujutsu

Japanese kobu-jutsu master, Motokatsu Inoue was the Grandmaster of Yui Shin Kai and Ryukyu Kobujutsu. He was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1918. Inoue's...

Daniel K Pai: Pai Lum Kung Fu

Daniel K Pai was born Daniel Kalimahae Pa’i in Kameula, Hawaii, on April 4, 1930. His grandfather, Pai Po-Fong, taught him the Pai Family...
Georg F. Brueckner and Johnny Kuhl

Georg Brueckner

In 1952 Georg Brueckner began practicing martial arts and he studied judo, karate and jujutsu. He opened his first karate dojo in Wilmersdorf, West-Berlin...