Αρχική

Ακαδημία

Εκπαιδευτές

Jeet Kune Do

Filipino Kali

Kuntao Silat

Ομαδικά Τμήματα

Ιδιαίτερα Μαθήματα

Βιβλιοθήκη

Άρθρα

Τεχνικές

Σεμινάρια

Συχνές Ερωτήσεις

Επικοινωνία 

Shoot Wrestling

Shooto is a contemporary martial art developed by Master Satoru Sayama in Japan during the early 1980's. Sensei Sayama is a life long practitioner of the arts and has trained in Judo, Karate, Sambo, Muay Thai and Catch As Catch Can (more commonly known as Catch Wrestling).

He developed a philosophy in which Shooto would be a complete system consisting of the most effective and applicable techniques that he has learned from his years of martial arts training. Many people around the world recognize Sayama as the original Tiger-Mask from Japanese Pro-Wrestling fame.

Fans lauded him for his dynamic ring performances and for utilizing his highly developed martial arts skills in the ring. In time, Sayama began to envision a sport that would combine the excitement and showmanship of live competition, with the integrity and sportsmanship of martial arts. That vision soon came to fruition when it manifested itself in 1986 as the first ever amateur Shooto competition then in 1989 as professional competition.

The combination of the Japanese characters “shu” and “to” it means “Learn Combat” and is spelled “Shooto” for the sake of translation.

Shooto consists of two or three 5-minute rounds, which only provides a short amount of time for each bout. This promoters fast-paced action and clean execution of techniques.

The number of rounds depends upon the skill level of the Shooters involved. Expert Shooters are categorized as Class-A (3 rounds) while less skilled competitors are Class-B (2 rounds). Amateur events still go on today and they are regarded as Class-C.

There are 10 weight classes ranging from “114 lbs and under” to “242 lbs and over.” Shooters may punch, kick, use knee strikes, perform throws, sweeps, takedowns, grappling, joint locks and choke holds. Some bouts are fast and furious, lasting just moments – ending with a flurry of strikes or with a slick submission hold – while other bouts may be more strategic and methodical ending when a competitor out manoeuvres his opponent.

There can be a KO as in boxing (where a 10-count is applied), or a choke-hold/joint-lock that forces a competitor to “TAP-OUT” (literally tapping his hand on the mat several times - the equivalent of saying “uncle”).

Of course, there are a number of prohibited techniques, which serves to reduce the potential for serious injury, as well as, to promote professionalism and sportsmanship. Illegal manoeuvres include strikes to the groin, strikes to the throat or spine, head butting, elbow and forearm strikes, eye gouges, hair-pulling, pressure point attacks, twisting the fingers or toes, biting, and kicking or kneeing the head of an opponent who is in a downed position.

Sensei Yorinaga Nakamura

At the age of 19, Yorinaga Nakamura learned that Sensei Sayama would soon open his Tiger Gym. Yori had already gained experience in several martial arts, including Karate, Kick Boxing and Gung Fu. He always held Sensei Satoru Sayama with the highest Respect. On opening day in 1984, Yori enrolled at Tiger Gym.

In January 1985, Satoru Sayama changed the name of Tiger Gym into the Super Tiger Gym. Later that year, Yorinaga left Tokyo to help with the family business. One month later he received a call from Sensei Sayama, he was invited to work in the academy as a staff member. Yori Nakamura was honoured and after a brief discussion he moved back to Tokyo.

Upon arriving in Tokyo, Yori learned that Sayama wanted him to help promoting Shoot Wrestling. In November 1985, Yori became a member of Super Tiger Gym’s full time staff. His main task was assisting Sensei Sayama in developing and organizing Shoot Wrestling into a finely polished combative art form.

In order to become an instructor Yori required to study 10 hours a day, seven days a week. Aside from the regular training hours that where held in the Tiger Gym, Satoru held private sessions in the basement of a friend’s house which is known as the Tiger Hole. During these private sessions, Satoru taught submission, throwing, punching and kicking. He always demanded perfection. If Yori could not perform a movement to Satoro’s liking, he would be forced to practice only that particular technique or motion until it was perfect. After months of this rigorous training regime, Yorinaga become a Shooto Instructor.

In June of 1986, the first Shooting tournament was held at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Yori entered the competition in the 66kg category. He won his first match by a judge’s decision. His second he won with a sleeper hold choke. His 3rd and 4th match where also win by V-armlock and a pillow armlock. He was awarded the Championship and got promotion to become a Shooter.

In January of 1989, Yori made his first trip to the United States in order to study various martial arts at the Inosanto Academy and at the IMB Academy. He was fortunated because Sifu Dan Inosanto and Richard Bustillo were kind and open-minded. Thanks to Sifu Dan and Richard Bustillo he was able to start the first Shoot Wrestling Class outside of Japan. Both Dan Inosanto and Richard Bustillo studied Shoot Wrestling private with Sensei Yori, they become the first non-Japanese Shooters.

The Shooto Association of the USA was founded in January of 1992, and is currently working to promote Shoot Wrestling in the United States. Sensei Yori Nakamura is currently the heights Shoot Wrestling instructor worldwide!