Submission Arts Wrestling

(SAW) [サブミッションアーツレスリング]

Hidetaka Aso [麻生秀孝], founder of Submission Arts Wrestling, was born in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan on Octuber 29th, 1950. Aso, a student of Karl Gotch, is a two times All Japan Wrestling Champion and a Sambo World Champion (1981 Sambo World Championship held in Spain). One of his most notable victories came during the Sambo American Championship of 1979, where the heavyweight claimed 1st place after defeating all of his 8 opponents. A 5th degree black belt in Kodokan Judo, knowledgeable catch wrestler, author of many textbooks, and chairman of prestigious martial arts federations and committees; Hidetaka Aso is highly regarded as a guru of the science of submission wrestling.

Submission Arts Wrestling (SAW) [サブミッションアーツレスリング] is a modern Catch Wrestling based Japanese Martial Art and Combat Sport that incorporates elements from Sambo and Judo. Founded in the 1980′s by Hidetaka Aso, a student of Karl Gotch, SAW constitutes a NO-GI grappling system that focuses in forcing ones opponent to submit by employing “chains” of chokes and joint locks. One of the trademarks of SAW are its many variations of devastating leglocks. Like its predecessor, SAW supports the belief that a submission can be obtained by establishing either a position or a hold. The practice of Submission Arts Wrestling relies on solid technical principles, live sparring sessions and specific conditioning.

Submission Arts Wrestling (SAW) [サブミッションアーツレスリング] is a modern Catch Wrestling based Japanese Martial Art and Combat Sport that incorporates elements from Sambo and Judo. Founded in the 1980′s by Hidetaka Aso, a student of Karl Gotch, SAW constitutes a NO-GI grappling system that focuses in forcing ones opponent to submit by employing “chains” of chokes and joint locks. One of the trademarks of SAW are its many variations of devastating leglocks. Like its predecessor, SAW supports the belief that a submission can be obtained by establishing either a position or a hold. The practice of Submission Arts Wrestling relies on solid technical principles, live sparring sessions and specific conditioning.

The philosophy of Submission Arts Wrestling (SAW)

Both in and out of the tatami, a practitioner of SAW must strive to exemplify the characteristics of Bushido.  The process of cultivating such virtues, centers in creating a proper environment, where development is encouraged through leadership by example.

The virtues of Bushido

Rectitude
Courage
Benevolence
Respect
Honesty
Honour
Loyalty

Technical elements of SAW:

Kumiwaza (to grapple)

Nage (to throw)

Osaekomi (to hold down)

Suīpu (to sweep)

Shime (to strangle)

Kansetsu (to joint lock)

Submission Arts Wrestling is practiced on a wrestling mat (tatami). Being a NO-GI hierarchical art, the practitioners commonly wear a t-shirt or rashguard, shorts or tights and a Japanese belt (obi) of the proper color according to its grading system.

Grading System

6th Kyu : Rokkyu Deshi : White Belt

5th Kyu : Gokkyu Deshi : Yellow Belt

4th Kyu : Yonkyu Deshi : Orange Belt

3rd Kyu : Sankyu Deshi : Green Belt

2nd Kyu : Nikkyu Deshi : Blue Belt

1st Kyu : Ikkyu Deshi : Purple Belt

Shodan-Ho : Brown Belt

1st Dan : Black Belt

2nd Dan : 2nd Degree Black Belt

3rd Dan : 3rd Degree Black Belt

4th Dan : 4th Degree Black Belt

5th Dan : 5th Degree Black Belt

6th Dan : 6th Degree Black Belt

7th Dan : 7th Degree Black Belt

8th Dan : 8th Degree Black Belt

9th Dan : 9th Degree Black Belt

Founded by Hidetaka Aso, The All Japan Joint Technique Federation (AJJTF) is an international branch of the Submission Arts Wrestling Organization with headquarters located in Kansai, West Japan.

The AJJTF is presided by SAW 3rd Degree Black Belt; Satoru Kobayashi, and has representatives Worldwide.