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.

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...

Seiseki Abe Shodo: Aikido

Seiseki Abe Sensei is one of Japan's foremost masters of calligraphy (shodo) and Aikido. Born in 1915, Abe Sensei began to practice calligraphy in...

Haeng-Ung Lee: Songahm Taekwondo

Haeng-Ung Lee was born in Manchuria, China on July 20, 1936, and soon after World War II, his family relocated in Korea. Beginning his martial...

George Dillman: Ryukyu Kempo Tomari-te

George Dillman is a 9th degree Black Belt in Ryukyu Kempo Tomari-te who was honored by Black Belt Magazine as "1997 -- Instructor of...

Ramon Dekkers Muai Thai

If there were a world championship as far as courage and heart are concerned, Ramon Dekkers would be a true champion. Even if you can...

Ernest Lieb: American Karate System

Ernest Lieb was born in Berlin Germany in 1940 as Hitler’s armies were devastating the European country side.  He, along with his mother and father,...

Cynthia Rothrock: Martial Artist & Action Film Star

Cynthia Rothrock is one of the greatest martial artist and action film stars in the world, Few other performers can match her presence and...
Willie Lim

Willie Lim: Combat Tai Chi Master

9th degree Black Belt, Willie Lim was born into a Malayan family of Kung Fu practitioners, his uncle was Head of the Eagle Claw...
Eiichi Miyazato

Eiichi Miyazato: Goju-ryu Karate

Eiichi Miyazato (1922-1999) was a leading Okinawan master of Goju-ryu karate. He was a senior post-war student of Chojun Miyagi, founder of the Goju-ryu...

Jeff Smith: Tae Kwon Do

Jeff Smith, an 8th Degree Black Belt Master in Tae Kwon Do, has devoted over 40 years to the martial arts. He currently owns...

He-Young Kimm: Han Mu Do

Grandmaster He-Young Kimm is the founder of Hanmudo. He has over 45 years of studies and research in traditional and modern Korean martial arts....

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...
Emilio Bruno

Emilio Mel Bruno: Judo

Mel Bruno received his first degree Black Belt from Jigaro Kano in 1935. In 1954, he was recommended by Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder...

Jean Frenette

Jean Frenette was born in Montreal, Canada in 1961. At the age of 6, he began studying judo and continued to study until he...

Teruyuki Okazaki: Shotokan Karate

Teruyuki Okazaki was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, in 1931 and began karate at the age of 16, studying under Gichin Funakoshi, the founder...
Anko Itosu

Anko Itosu: Father of Modern Karate

Born in Shuri, Okinawa, Japan in 1831, Itosu trained under karate greats Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura and Kosaku Matsumora. His good friend Yasutsune Azato recommended...