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Soke Dr. Grandmaster I. Soto
8-Time World Kumite Undisputed Champion
Soke Dr. Grandmaster I. Soto 10th Degree Black Belt with Cover Red is
The Founder of the present system of Atemi Aiki-Jujitsu and
The Founder of the present system of Atemi Cobra-Jujitsu Te
Soke Professor Grandmaster Irving Soto was born in the Bronx, New York in 1954. His parents moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1956. One day his mother took him to the Laundromat to do her laundry, there was this Oriental man called Tashioshi which he owned and operated the Laundromat. In the Laundromat he operated he taught free classes in the back--which he taught only certain kids in the neighborhood; and the classes later on were called Jiu-Jitsu. While his mother traveled back and forth from Brooklyn to Chinatown working, she used to leave her son with a Chinese man who he later found out to be a Shaolin Monk which he taught Kung Fu. Later on growing and respecting him calling him his stepfather. While growing up, he had a thirst for learning the martial arts and he wanted to have extensive knowledge of the martial arts science. He studied them simultaneously to further his knowledge of the martial arts science. In 1968, at age 14, Tashioshi took the young Grandmaster Soto to Japan with other students where he became Kata Champion and Fighting Champion, and Weapons Champion. When Tashioshi moved away from the neighborhood, Grandmaster Soto continued his studies with his stepfather in Kung Fu. At the age of 16 he was already a Sifu in Kung Fu. He continued to further his studies in Jiu-Jitsu with the late Grandmaster Charlie Sparrow and Grandmaster Rudy Jones, and Master Ellis Evans. These were trying times for the young master because there were many street thugs, gangs, rapists, murderers, and con artists in the neighborhood called Brownsville. They challenged him numerous times, but failed to defeat him. These encounters served to be the training grounds for the future World Champion. In 1972, he fought and won the Full-Contact Bare Knuckle Championship in Japan--becoming Bare Knuckle Champion of Japan. As a result of winning the Full-Contact Bare Knuckle Championship 5-times, he was invited to fight in the ultimate full-contact, anything goes, championship called the International Kumite. This is not a point tournament fight. The International Kumite is the exclusive full-contact fight, everything goes open only to family members. Only the best of the best in the world were able to compete by invitation only. The first time he won the Full-Contact, anything goes, Kumite was in 1973. He competed and won a total of 8 times consecutively becoming 8-Time Consecutive World Kumite Undisputed Champion.
While travelling back and forth from Japan and the USA in the early 1970s, the young Master Soto was able to find the humble dojo of the Great Grandmaster K. Yamamoto of Samurai Aiki-Jujitsu out of the Clan of Tansuki Tanaka Samurai family. Out of 1000 applicants to Grandmaster K. Yamamoto’s humble dojo, only 10 were selected. Out of those 10 only one was Gaijin or "Non-Japanese." Being a foreigner meant he had to try at least twice as hard as his Japanese classmates did. This was a challenge that the young Master Soto accepted. He converted this challenge to being a great student in the martial arts to become one of the best. He did accomplish that, but not before some very difficult and trying times.
World Champion Soke Grandmaster Soto wih his championship belts, championship trophies, and hundreds of other trophies and plaques which you cannot see here. He has over 2000 trophies and plaques throughout his lifetime. This photo was taken recently in 1999.
As a result of his honor and respect for his Shidoshi or "Grandmaster" he fought and won the International Full-Contact, anything goes, Kumite (not point tournament) in the Orient as well as in Japan--8 times for 8 years consecutively--from 1973 through 1980--becoming 8-Time Consecutive World Kumite Undisputed Champion. He had over 279 fights and 279 knockouts during his career in martial arts as a fighter--His career as a fighter spanned from the early 1970s to the present time. As a Chief Hanshi (Grandmaster) in Grandmaster Yamamoto’s dojo, he had the privilege of teaching the Thursday traditional night classes.
Following the footsteps of Sokaku Takeda (who made Aiki-Jujitsu famous--later calling it Daito Ryu), Morehei Ueshiba (Founder of Aikido), and Gogen Yamaguchi (Founder of Goju-Ryu Karate along with Master Miyagi--he became head of the system of Goju-Ryu after Master Miyagi died in the early 1950s)--Soke Grandmaster Soto has broken tradition. He is the first American to bring Atemi back to America into the next millennium years. Soke Grandmaster Soto is the highest authority and last heir to the Complete Art of Atemi. Atemi is not merely the art of striking. Atemi CobraJujitsu Te is a sophisticated high level art: 365 attack points of the central nervous system, devastating Kyu-Jitsu throws, sophisticated ideological throws--breaking and throwing in midair, powerful boxing and locking techniques, grappling and grippling techniques, poison hand techniques, Pain compliance techniques, arm locking devices, elbow locking devices, finger locking devices, and koppo-jitsu "bone breaking". By combining these sophisticated high level techniques, Soke Grandmaster Soto founded the Art of Kogochi (Atemi-Jitsu) Cobra Te, the martial art for the next millenium years.
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He is the Chairman and Head Director of the International Bushido Federation of the USA and Japan. He is affiliated with the following: the Professional Kickboxing under Tommy Chen and Shihan Jonas Nunez, USA Daito-Ryu National Jujitsu Association under Grandmaster John Denora, Professional Karate Association under Grandmaster Aaron Banks, Masters Production Professional Kickboxing under Grandmaster Donny Carolei, Sanuces Ryu Mushaba Force under Dr. Moses Powell. He is the Head Chairman of the Aikidokan Association of Peru under Shihan Padre Jorge Otiura. He belongs to the Mawashi Ryu Jujitsu Association under Grandmaster Rudy Jones. He is a member of the (SIMA) Shinjimasu International Martial Arts Association.
The young Grandmaster had won in many fights and been champion many times.
Title Championships
Among his numerous Title Championships are:
These are the years that Soke Grandmaster I. Soto has won the ultimate championship called the full-contact Kumite, everything goes. This is not a point tournament. This is the ultimate fighting championship open only to family members. Only the best of the best from around the world were allowed to compete, by invitation only.
There were 18 men unable to move Soke Dr. Grandmaster Soto, with a spear to his throat.
(Lt.-Rt) World Champion Olando Rivera, World Champion Shihan Jonas Nunez, World Champion Soke Dr. Grandmaster Irving Soto, Grandmaster Donny Carolei, and Sifu Alan Goldberg
Lifetime Achievements
Among his Lifetime Achievements are:
The young Grandmaster Soto at the St. John's Center in Brooklyn,
studying Mawashi Ryu Jiujitsu under Grandmaster Rudy Jones. (1970)
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Grandmaster Rudy Jones demonstrating Mawashi Ryu Jiu-Jitsu in St. John's Center in Brooklyn New York.
(Lt-Rt) Sensei Scooter, Master Canty, Grandmaster Soto--East Coast Champion, the late Grandmaster Charlie Sparrow, Sifu Lebron. This picture was taken during the celebration of Grandmaster Soto winning the East Coast Jujitsu Championship.
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Grandmaster Soto (far right) with World Champion King Lee next to him. Grandmaster Soto defeated King Lee in the World Cup Championship, becoming World Cup Champion. |
Soke Grandmaster Soto seen here jumping up 9 feet in the air, over the head of a Korean master. |
8-Time World Kumite Undisputed Champion Soke Grandmaster Irving Soto with World Middleweight Kickboxing Champion Bill "Superfoot" Wallace
Having high ranking black belts and achieving mastery in over 38 different martial arts. A partial list:
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Atemi-Jujitsu |
Aiki-Jujitsu |
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Ken-Jitsu |
Kendo |
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Bojutsu, |
Tae Kwon Do |
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Iai-Jitsu, |
Kenpo Karate |
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Iai-do, |
Pa Kua Hsing Yi |
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Aikido, |
Seven Star Praying Mantis |
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Jiu-jitsu |
Ninjitsu |
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Judo, |
Kung Fu: Eagle Claw, Tiger Claw |
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Muay Thai Boxing |
Escrima |
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Wing Chun |
Chinese Kenpo, 8th Degree Black Belt under Dr. Lau of Hong Kong |
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Kali |
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Grandmaster Soto with his stepfather and Kung Fu teacher, Shaolin Monk.
These are some of Grandmaster Soto's students.
8-Time World Kumite Undisputed Champion Soke Grandmaster Soto's real technique application against real attacks during Professional Kickboxing Night. Grandmaster Soto makes 400 pound Master Vellarde go flying 7 feet up in the air with a hangar technique.
8-Time World Kumite Undisputed Champion Soke Grandmaster Soto jumps 8 feet in the air in a real knife attack response over the head of a martial arts knife expert attacking for real.
NYC Sheriff's Deputy Soke Grandmaster Soto, Senior Tactical Defense Instructor is seen in this picture with his students from the New York City Sheriff's Department. To the left of Grandmaster Soto is Comissioner Linda Reynolds. To his right is New York City Sheriff Phil Crimaldi.
Senior Tactical Defense Instructor, NYC Sheriff Deputy Soke Grandmaster Soto, 10th Degree Black Belt
8-Time World Kumite Champion as well as East Coast Champion of New York, Soke Dr. Grandmaster I. Soto with Grandmaster Aaron Banks of Goju.
Author of 4 books, including Experience the Power of Atemi, the Forgotten Art of Atemi, and the soon to be released in 1999, International Hall of Fame Book and Atemi Cobra-Jujitsu—Martial Arts for the Next Millenium Years.
(Lt-Rt) Frederick Peterson, Soke Grandmaster Irving Soto, Chicken Gabriel, Alethia McCulough.
[from the Voice & Viewpoint]
GOLDEN GLOBE INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS HALL OF FAME HOLDS AWARD AND DINNER BANQUET
The Prestigious Golden Global International Martial Arts Hall of Fame held its awards dinner and banquet last Saturday at the Holiday Inn on the Bay in downtown San Diego.
Soke Dr. Grandmaster Irving Soto, 8-Time World Kumite Champion, has united local and international martial artists. These martial artists, previously unrecognized for their tireless efforts and dedication to helping their communities and the children are finally going to be recognized, thanks to Soto's extraordinary efforts.
"This is a first for San Diego. It was a big success," said Soto. "I worked very hard to put this event together and I was very pleased by the enthusiasm of the participants and the appreciation shown by our supporters."
Dr. Soto has had 279 fights in his career and has had 279 knockouts. He is rated one of the top ten martial artists in the world.
During the awards ceremony, 150 plaques, 200 trophies, and 200 certificates were handed out.
Among the recipients were Chicken Gabriel of San Diego who received a certificate and a plaque for 30 years of achievement.
"He is an excellent human being," said Soto. "He came up through the school of hard knocks and has shared his knowledge with the children in the community."
(Lt-Rt) Sifu David Lebron, Grandmaster Robert Crossing of Sugar-Ryu, Soke Grandmaster Soto (wearing sash from Kung Fu) , and Grandmaster Tommy Chen.
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The young actor, Grandmaster Soto, starring in the Latin American movie, "A Cry in the City". in the film produced by Columbia Pictures New Artists Release Producer Tony Betancul. Above, In the scene from the movie Grandmaster Soto (On the Left with the White Hat] plays the part of a martial arts assassin hired from theLatin mafia. Starring opposite are Radio Announcer for Spanish Radio Joselando Coti (In the White Coat)--Grandmaster Soto kicked too fast for the 35mm film to catch--The director told him to slow down!; and News Anchor from Channel 41 and Channel 47 Rafael Pinela [In the black coat]. Also, Professor Soto worked in two other films by the same company. These films were made during the early 1970's when VCR's were not out yet. You can write to Columbia Pictures for more information. |
The young actor, Soke Grandmaster Soto stands next to Columbia Pictures Producer, Tony Bertancul
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The "King of Kata" from 1970-1974, Soke Sifu Eric Lee and 8-time World Kumite Champion and actor and musician Soke Grandmaster Soto at the Los Angeles Sanuces-Ryu Mushaba Force Hall of Fame (1998)
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8-time World Kumite Champion Soke Grandmaster Soto and Soke Grandmaster Billy Davis at the World Soke Council Hall of Fame in Florida (1998). |
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Soke Grandmaster John Denora and 8-Time World Kumite Champion Soke Grandmaster Soto at the Florida Hall of Fame World Soke Council. (1998) |
8-time World Kumite Champion Soke Grandmaster Soto with Frank Dux from "Bloodsport" portrayed by Jeane Claude Van Damme at the Florida World Soke Council Hall of Fame (1998)
(Lt-Rt) World Champion Don "The Dragon" Wilson", Grandmaster Gary Alexander, 5-Time World Champion Grandmaster Ron Van Clief, 8-Time World Kumite Champion Soke Grandmaster Irving Soto, Soke Grandmaster John Denora
Helping the Children
Soke Professor Grandmaster Soto had made it one of his goals in life to give back to all the children. He
believes that children are the voices and leaders of tomorrow and we must spend today teaching them and helping them grow, so that they may have a tomorrow to live for.
In his journey of teaching, he has helped many less fortunate than himself, both adults and children. He trained many champions worldwide and trained with the best in the world. He has also defeated many of the best champions in the world.
A Humble Man
Yet with all these accomplishments, he remains a humble man, unsatisfied with his accomplishments. Striving to achieve more. As a teacher and innovator of the martial arts he has helped many find direction and achieve personal success and happiness through hard work and dedication.
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Grandmaster Soto is seen here breaking 14 bricks. He usually breaks anything from 50 bricks. |
His motivation
His love and compassion has motivated others to take a hold of their future by contributing to the youngsters of today.
As a role model and hero has been the example that children and adults look up to and strive to be like.
As one of the last true Samurais, he is one of the few modern Samurais, adapting to survive and being strong in this technological society.
Rocko Rock and Johnny Grunge from the WCW Wrestling Group "Public Enemy" with World Champion Soke Dr. Grandmaster Soto
Dojos
Soke Grandmaster Soto has dojos worldwide. He is the Head Director of the dojos in Japan, Puerto Rico, The United States (New York, California, and Pennsylvania).
Grandmaster Soto's Headquarters is:
