Origins:

Developed in 1981 by Master Azuma, KUDO, is the fighting method of the Daido Juku martial arts school, and its appeal due to its effectiveness has now spread globally with dojo's opening on every continent.



Master Azuma , with Master Lee Hasdell.

A Mixed Martial Arts ( M.M.A. ) system developed from Kickboxing ( Muaythai ) Karate
( Kyokushin ) and Grappling ( Judo and Ju Jitsu ), techniques used are Kicks, Punches, Knees, Elbows, Open-Palm Striking and Headbuts as well as Grappling, Throws, Locks and Chokes to give a martial artist an All-Round-Combat-System.


To make KUDO a more realistic martial art in terms of self defence, clothing ( in the form of the traditional Gi ) is worn during the competitions and no boxing gloves. In a live 'street' situation,an adversary and oneself will, in most cases, be wearing clothes. For this reason, Kudoka train wearing clothing for maximum effectiveness.

Also, grappling / groundwork is encouraged to be fast and efficient, as during bouts Kudoka can only go to the ground for a maximum of 30 seconds.

In a live, 'street' situation the most common line of thought in the martial arts, is that one should spend as little time on the floor as possible, only going for a fast finish when entering the ground arena.



Pict : Above:
Master Azuma demonstrating
the power of KUDO!


Attire:



In reality, for realistic self-defence people have to deal with wearing clothing. Although grappling has become very popular as a combat sport in the 21st century, "No-Gi" combatants, ( Pro. MMA. combatants ), use many different grapplings methods to those that compete wearing Gi's.


In a self-defence situation, clothing could be grabbed ( gripped ) by an attacker. Also, grabbing the clothing of an adversary can give the practised individual many advantages.

For these reality purposes KUDO is Gi format, where most Professional M.M.A. grappling systems are "No-Gi" formats.


System:

The 'All-Round-Combat-Methods' of Kudo can be broken down into three ares.



Tachi-waza (standing up-techniques),











Nage-waza (Throwing-techniques)











or
Ne-waza (Ground techniques).






Bare Knuckle:

Also, for reality purposes, large boxing gloves are not worn. This makes the fists much smaller and the punches many times fasters and of couse more powerful. This encourages only the use of realistic defence, ( primarily covering skills and evasion ) against a bare knuckle, punching adversary, and not the circular blocks commonly seen in traditional Karate.


Boxing, ( punching in combinations ), is less evident when gloves are not worn, as the piston method ( left-right-left-right-left-right ) can simply overwealm an adversary and finish them in seconds. This may look quite raw to the untrained eye, but KUDO is about realism, and developing fighting skills for the real world, rather than pleasing large audiences at a combat sports event.


For training, small hand wraps are worn, or complete bare knuckle.

Note : Many Kudoka chose to use the Shotei, or open palm strikes, when striking the head and reserve the bare knuckle punches for striking the body. This too is a very good self-defence application.

Head Butts :

Headbutts are an intricate striking method for any realistic martial art / self-defence system.

Allowing the of Headbutts during KUDO kumite sparring / competition extends the awareness of the martial arts athlete not only of his additional striking capabilities, but also his potential vunerability.

Headbutts are a primary weapon as one bridges between striking and grappling, and of course is commonly used in live situations "on the street".

Groin Strike:

Outlawed in most combat sports, the Groin is a legitimate target during KUDO kumite for the same reasons as the Headbutt. Being aware of a vunerablilty in kumite, will elevate defensive skills for a live "street" situation.

Headgear - Protection:

Modern practisioners of Samurai weapons / sword fighting ( known as Kendo ) wear a full face guard. This has been taken over to KUDO for unarmed combat. The headguard is known as the 'SUPER SAFE' headguard, allows Kudoka to exchange Kicks, Punches, Knees, Elbow. Open Palm strikes and headbutts.



KUDO - Amateur MMA Competitions:



Currently there are European and World KUDO Championships held regularly, and it is hoped that in the future there will be the first British Championships.


Pictured - Current
'K-1' Kickboxing
World Superheavyweight Champion,
Semmy Schilts
from Holland, is formerly a KUDO Champion!

Semmy Schilts is currently competing under Pro. M.M.A. ( Mixed Martial Arts ) rules in Japan.




















Pictured - Current -U.F.C. World Champion George Saint Peirre ( G.S.P. ) has his roots in Kyokushin from, which KUDO has its roots..

Here G.S.P. wears his Gi during his entrance to the Octogon.






KUDO - OKAMI DOJO Gallery :


White Gi - Kudoka Neil Holden,
Okami Dojo - Wolf Gym
Warrington Kickboxing Studio

Blue Gi - Kudoka Lee Hasdell,
Shin-Sen-Juku
Milton Keynes SSJ Studio



Kumite - Sparring








Kumite - Standing Grapple












Kumite - Standing Grapple









Kumite - Ground Work









Kumite - Ground Work






Kumite - Judo throw









Kumite - Judo throw









Kumite - Choking method









Kumite - Kickboxing












Kumite - Kickboxing













Kumite - Headbutts











Kumite - Ground Work








Kumite - Ground Work, Gaining dominant / Mount position







Kumite - Ground Work, Gaining dominant / Mount position