Every BJJ practitioner heard for Kimura arm lock, but so few people know the story of a man behind the name of a famous shoulder crank and understand his importance for, not just BJJ and Judo, but for Martial Arts in general.

As a natural athlete, Kimura was set to have meteoric rise in Judo due to his natural abilities and amazing talent. Plus, on top of that Kimura had grueling work ethic that still to this day resonates in Judo circuits.

He was born on September 10, 1917 in Japanese city Kumamoto. He started to train Judo when he was 9 and his progress was extremely rapid, so Kimura received his black belt when he was just 15. At age of 18 he was the youngest Judoka ever to reach the rank of 5th dan black belt after entering in the Kodokan’s yearly Red and White Tournament and winning eight matches before he was defeated a man named Miyajima.

KIMURAS TRAINING ROUTINE

As a time progressed, Kimuras technique and skill became so sharp that his training partners had to ask him to slow pace and use less strength in order to have more competitive sparring sessions. His main specialty was O Soto Gari (Outside trip). And he used to practice it on the trees and the trees would be falling down real quick.

KIMURAS TRAINING ROUTINE:

1,000 Push-ups or Hindu Push-ups

Bunny Hop- 1 km

Headstand- 3 x 3 Minutes (against a wall)

Judo Practice- 100 Throws

One-Arm Barbell Lift and Press- 15 Reps each side OR Bench Press- 3 Sets: 3, 2, and 1 Reps

200 Sit-ups off Partner’s Back or Decline Sit-ups

200 Squats with Partner/Log/Barbell/Sandbag (150-200lbs)

Judo Practice- 100 Drills Submissions

500 Shuto (Knife-hand Strikes)

Judo Practice- 100 Entries

Judo Randori- “X” x 3 Minute Rounds

Practice Throws (particularly Uchi-mata) Against a Tree- 1 Hour

Additional Judo Practice- 1 Hour

After he won ALL JUDO JAPAN CHAMPIONSHIP in 1937, he draw world wide attention. Athletes from all around the world wanted to challenge themselves against Masahiko. In 1940 Kimura was invited to compete in the Ten-Ran, a special tournament held by the Japanese Emperor. Kimura won a tournament of 32 of the best professionals in Japan and was presented with a special gift from the Emperor.

In 1951, Kimura traveled to Brazil along with Yukio Kato, who had accepted a challenge match with a Brazilian trained in Judo, Helio Gracie. The rules for the match were set by Gracie, the match could only end by submission or loss of consciousness, ippons and pins would not be scored. Kato and Helio were approximately the same size and weight and were stalemated until Kato was able to throw Helio. The Japanese Judoka began working for a choke, but Helio was able to get back to his guard and lock on a simple cross choke, which left Kato unconscious.

GODS OF WAR: GRACIE VS KIMURA

Helio then issued a challenge to Kimura, which was accepted. Unlike Kato, Kimura was much larger than Helio, but that did not stop the Brazilian fans from anticipating victory. Kimura and Helio met in front of a crowd of 20,000 and Gracie’s supports brought a coffin to the match, meant for Kimura once their man was done with him. The outcome however would not be to the crowd’s liking. In his book called ”My Judo” Kimura described this fight in high detail:

”20,000 people came to see the bout including President of Brazil. Helio was 180cm [5’11”] and 80 kg [176#]. When I entered the stadium, I found a coffin. I asked what it was. I was told, “This is for Kimura. Helio brought this in.” It was so funny that I almost burst into laughter. As I approached the ring, raw eggs were thrown at me. The gong rang. Helio grabbed me in both lapels, and attacked me with O-soto-gari and Kouchi-gari. But they did not move me at all. Now it’s my turn. I blew him away up in the air by O-uchi-gari, Harai-goshi, Uchimata, Ippon-seoi. At about 10 minute mark, I threw him by O-soto-gari. I intended to cause a concussion. But since the mat was so soft that it did not have much impact on him. While continuing to throw him, I was thinking of a finishing method. I threw him by O-soto-gari again.

As soon as Helio fell, I pinned him by Kuzure-kami-shiho-gatame. I held still for 2 or 3 minutes, and then tried to smother him by belly. Helio shook his head trying to breathe. He could not take it any longer, and tried to push up my body extending his left arm. That moment, I grabbed his left wrist with my right hand, and twisted up his arm. I applied Udegarami. I thought he would surrender immediately.

But Helio would not tap the mat. I had no choice but keep on twisting the arm. The stadium became quiet. The bone of his arm was coming close to the breaking point. Finally, the sound of bone breaking echoed throughout the stadium. Helio still did not surrender. His left arm was already powerless. Under this rule, I had no choice but twist the arm again. There was plenty of time left. I twisted the left arm again. Another bone was broken.

Helio still did not tap. When I tried to twist the arm once more, a white towel was thrown in. I won by TKO. My hand was raised high. Japanese Brazilians rushed into the ring and tossed me up in the air. On the other hand, Helio let his left arm hang and looked very sad withstanding the pain”.

PRO WRESTLING DAYS

After the match with Helio, Kimura went to fight for professional wrestling organisations in Japan, where he had a dramatic fight against Korean wrestler Ridikozan who illegally punched and dropped Kimura. Kimura would never get a rematch with Rikidozan, and the man died ten years later when he was stabbed in a bar fight.

Kimura died on April 18, 1993 after a long struggle with lung cancer at the age of 75. He was and avid smoker.

Just months after his death the Gracie family would launch the UFC. Through the Gracie family and MMA, along with Olympic Judo, Kimura’s legacy lives and continues to grow.

Source:

Wikipedia/ Masahiko Kimura

Bloody Elbow/ www.bloodyelbow.com