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.

Bart Vale: World Champion Shootfight

World Champion shootfighter Bart Vale is one of the pioneers of mixed martial arts in the U.S. Vale began training in the 70’s with the Al Tracy’s Kenpo Karate.
Hayward Nishioka

Hayward Nishioka: Best Judo Player To Bow onto a Mat

Hayward Nishioka began his Judo training in 1956 with his father as his first Instructor. During the 1960’s, Hayward Nishioka was United States Division...
Duke Moore

Duke Moore Judo and Jujitsu

Duke Moore was born in San Francisco on April 19, 1915 and passed away on February 25, 2003. Even as a child Duke loved...
Robert Trias The Father of American Karate

Robert Trias: Father of American Karate

Robert Trias was born on March 18,1922. At the beginning of World War II Robert A. Trias was called upon to serve his country in...
Dr. Maung Gyi

Maung Gyi: Burmese Bando

Dr. Maung Gyi is a Burmese martial artist. In his early twenties, around 1960, he introduced Burmese Thaing/Bando into the United States.
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.
Hidetaka Nishiyama

A Tree Has Fallen: Hidetaka Nishiyama

On November 8, 2008, we lost yet another one of the legends of martial arts, Hidetaka Nishiyama. He was the most senior of all...

Bill Wallace: Kickboxing

In June 1980 Bill Wallace retired as the undefeated Professional Karate Association (PKA) Middleweight Champion after defeating Bill Biggs in a 12-round bout. This...
Seiko Higa

Master Seiko Higa In My Memories

Remarks: The original Japanese title of this article was "Omoide No Higa Seiko Sensei" and it was written by Mr. Saburo Higa, an acupuncturist...
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...
Higashionna Kanryo

Higashionna Kanryo: Naha-te

The exact dates that O-Sensei began training with Higashionna Kanryo are uncertain. His training with Aragaki Seisho (1840-1918) stopped between 1912 and 1914 and...
Jerry Piddington

And, In This Corner, Jerry Piddington

"And, in this corner, Jerry Piddington" . . . was the title of an article written about Mr. Piddington in the 1974 issue of...

Yukio Tani: Judo

Yukio Tani was born in 1881. He is known as one of the first Judoka to compete and teach outside Japan. A pioneering Japanese...
History of MMA: Bas Rutten

Bas Rutten

Bas Rutten Honored at International Sports Hall of Fame 2018 On Saturday, March 3, 2018 Bas Rutten was honored with induction into the International Sports...
Azato Anko

Anko Azato: Karate

Okinawan Karate Master, governor, military chief. Also known by the name Tonochi, Anko Azato trained under Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura. Although he excelled in archery and...
Sam Kuoha

Sam Kuoha and His Kara-Ho Kempo

The worse case scenario in a fight is to be surrounded by a handful of people whose only purpose in life at that moment...