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Gichin Funakoshi As the father of Shotokan Karate Funakoshi was also the first Karate master to introduce the art to the mainland of Japan and he would choose to remain after his third demonstaition, which was for the emperor of Japan. Born in Shuri Okinawa in 1868 he would first learn the ancient art from Anko Asato who was the father of his best friend. Funakoshi was trained in 3 styles of Karate which would later be combined to form the very popular art known as Shotokan the styles that formed this art were Shorei-ryu, Shorin-ryu, and Kendo. Although much of the world of Karate is divided by its many styles it is no doubt that Funakoshi was one of the pioneers who spread the teaching of Karate, and without his contribution Karate would be considered the most popular Martial Art on the planet. Funakoshi died in 1957 and later a monument was erected in his honor, in 1968 at the Engaku-ji temple in Kamakura. Funakoshi was many things, a philosopher, ans artist and a poet, and we truly able to bring all these things together. His teachings continue to inspire many young and old practitioners today. CARLOS GRACIE Carlos was the first Gracie to learn the traditional art of Judo from the late great master Mitsuyo Maeda. Using what he learned, Carlos along with his brothers Helio, Oswaldo, Gastao Jr, and Jorge, created what we now know as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Martial Art, adopted techniques from Judo and Jiu-Jitsu and was fashioned for street defence in Brazil. Carlos later gave up his teachings to focus on the nutritional aspects of BJJ, and is the creator of the world famous Gracie diet. Carlos Gracie is the pioneer behind BJJ and although the casual fan dose not know this man and his accomplishments, they should because he is the father of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos Gracie was 92 when he died, a true testament to the art and the diet that he help create and perfect. GENE LEBELL "Judo" Gene Lebell also known as the the god father of grappling is 9th Dan Kodokan and 9th Dan U.S. Judo master who has worked in over 300 TV shows and films as a stunt performer of coordinator. The former AAU National Judo champion of 1954 and 55 has colorful combat background, once defeating Professional boxer Milo Savage, choking him out in round 4, and famous fight between Steven Segal whom he was able to choke out in rivalry between striking Martial Arts and Grappling. Gene Lebell was also known to work with Bruce Lee Karo Parisyan and number Pro wrestlers. Lebell spent a great deal of his career as a pro wrestler and is widely considered a man of many talents. DAN GABLE During his prep and college careers, Gable compiled an unbelievable record of 182-1. He was undefeated in 64 prep matches, and was 118-1 at Iowa State. His only defeat came in the NCAA finals his senior year. Gable was a three-time all-American and three-time Big Eight champion. He set NCAA records in winning and pin streaks. After college, Gable added titles at the 1971 Pan American Games, the 1972 Tbilisi Tournament and the 1971 World Championships. He won an unprecedented six Midlands Open championships and was that meet's outstanding wrestler five times. In 1972, he won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics without surrendering a point to any of his opponents. The Soviets came to the Olympics with only one goal in mind; to defeat Gable. They were unsuccessful. In Gable's final 21 Olympic qualification and Olympic matches, he scored 12 falls and outscored his nine other opponents, 130-1. The single point being scored by Larry Owings, who defeated Gable in his final collegiate match. BRUCE LEE Lee's first introduction to martial arts was through his father, Lee Hoi Cheun. He learned the fundamentals of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan from his father. Lee's sifu, Wing Chun master Yip Man, was also a colleague and friend of Hong Kong's Wu style Tai Chi Chuan teacher Wu Ta-ch'i. Lee trained in Wing Chun Gung Fu from age 13–18 under Hong Kong Wing Chun Sifu Yip Man. Lee was introduced to Yip Man in early 1954 by William Cheung, then a live-in student of Yip Man. Like most Chinese martial arts schools at that time, Sifu Yip Man's classes were often taught by the highest ranking students. One of the highest ranking students under Yip Man at the time was Wong Shun-Leung. Wong is thought to have had the largest influence on Bruce's training. Yip Man trained Lee privately after some students refused to train with Lee due to his ancestry ( his mother was of half German ancestry ) as Chinese were secretive in relation to teaching martial arts techniques especially to foreigners. Lee was also trained in Western boxing and won the 1958 Boxing Championship match against 3-time champion Gary Elms by knockout in the 3rd round. Before arriving to the finals against Elms.