Also known as

Description

Satoru Sayama (born 1957) is a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, and founder of Shooto, one of the first true mixed martial arts organizations. Originally trained under Antonio Inoki and Karl Gotch, he became famous as the original Tiger Mask. In 1985 he founded Shooto, creating the first MMA gloves inspired by Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon. He trained Yorinaga Nakamura and other shootists, and promoted Vale Tudo Japan events that led to the rise of Pride FC.

Teachers (2)

• 
  Antonio Inoki

  (1976-1983)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  Sayama trained under Antonio Inoki at New Japan Pro-Wrestling from 1976; extensively documented in wrestling history

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Primarily trained under New Japan Pro-Wrestling founder Antonio Inoki and his mentor Karl Gotch"

  — Satoru Sayama (Wikipedia EN)linkinfo
• 
  Karl Gotch

  linkCatch Wrestling 3

  Confirmed

  Sayama trained under Karl Gotch, catch wrestling legend who also taught Antonio Inoki; documented in multiple sources

  (1976)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  Sayama trained under Karl Gotch, catch wrestling legend who also taught Antonio Inoki; documented in multiple sources

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Primarily trained under New Japan Pro-Wrestling founder Antonio Inoki and his mentor Karl Gotch"

  — Satoru Sayama (Wikipedia EN)linkinfo

Students (1)

• 
  Yorinaga Nakamura

  linkShooto 3

  Confirmed

  Extensively documented; Nakamura enrolled at Satoru Sayama's Tiger Gym in 1984, became full-time staff in 1985, and won the first Shooto tournament in 1986

  (1984-1988)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources

  fact_check

  Extensively documented; Nakamura enrolled at Satoru Sayama's Tiger Gym in 1984, became full-time staff in 1985, and won the first Shooto tournament in 1986

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "He trained under Satoru Sayama"

  — Yorinaga Nakamura (Wikipedia EN)linkinfo

  "On opening day in 1984, Yorinaga enrolled at the Tiger Gym"

  — USA Shooto - Yori Nakamura (official website) link

Sources