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.

Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris: Chun Kuk Do

Chuck Norris has indicated in his own biography that he has black belts in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, and is founder of...
Richard Kim

Richard Kim: Okinawan Kobudo and Shorinji-ryu Karate

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing of an American Karate Martial Arts Icon-Pioneer. Master Richard Kim passed away...
Jim Harrison

Jim Harrison the Voice of Truth About Martial Arts

Jim Harrison was and still is the voice of truth and continues to be known worldwide for his candor. Concerning all phases of martial...
Ed Parker Sr.

Aloha Spirit Master – A Tribute Poem to Ed Parker Senior

Michael S. Fuchs wrote a poem about Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr and asked Senior Ed Parker Jr. to give him a picture to...
John Fonseca

John Fonseca: Shotokan Karate

John Fonseca has been competing in a wide range of national and international tournaments since the age of seven. In addition to his impressive...
Edward William Barton-Wright

Edward William Barton-Wright and Bartitsu

He was born Edward William Wright on November 8, 1860 in Bangalore, India, the third of six children of railway engineer William Barton Wright...
Bill Wallace

Bill Superfoot Wallace

All anyone in the martial arts has to say is “Superfoot” and instantly the image of Bill Superfoot Wallace emerges. This martial arts champion became...
Kenjutsu

Iso Aisu: Kenjutsu

Iso Aisu was a Japanese kenjutsu master and the founder of Aisu-kuge-ryu who was born in 1452 and died in 1538.
Dan Ivan

Dan Ivan Karate and Kobudo

This article by Robert Hunt is about Dan Ivan, martial arts pioneer and icon, taken from their 35 years of friendship and apprenticeship, some long...

Allen Steen: Tae Kwon Do

Allen Steen was an early student of Tae Kwon Do Grand Master Jhoon Rhee at Southwest Texas State College in San Marcos, Texas. Allen...
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...

Taekwondo’s Own Jhoon Rhee

Jhoon Rhee was born on January 7, 1932 and died on Monday, April 30, 2018. He passed away after a long illness in hospice care...
Hironori Otsuka

Hironori Ohtsuka and Wado Ryu Karate

Hironori Otsuka, a wiry, white-haired master, drops of sweat glistening across his brow and up the crown of his bald spot, led 40 young...

Joe Corley Fought First Full-Contact Karate World-Title Fight

Joe Corley was the first challenger to participate in a full-contact karate world-title fight. On May 3rd, 1975, Joe Corley met world middleweight champion...

Bob Yarnall: Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu Karate

Bob Yarnall practices Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu Karate. A shorin-ryu instructor, he opened his first dojo in 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri, where he has remained...

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.