Also known as

Description

Karl Gotch (1924–2007), born Karl Istaz, was a Belgian catch wrestler, Olympian, and trainer known as the 'God of Wrestling' (Kamisama) in Japan. Trained at the Snake Pit under Billy Riley, he taught Satoru Sayama and Antonio Inoki, and his students founded Shooto, Pancrase, and PRIDE FC, making him a foundational figure in MMA.

Teachers (1)

• 
  Billy Riley

  linkCatch Wrestling 3

  Confirmed

  Gotch trained at Billy Riley's Snake Pit in Wigan, acknowledged as the center of catch wrestling; well-documented in wrestling history

  sports_kabaddiThe Snake Pit badge (1955-1960)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  Gotch trained at Billy Riley's Snake Pit in Wigan, acknowledged as the center of catch wrestling; well-documented in wrestling history

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "He learned catch-as-catch-can and professional wrestling at the Snake Pit under Billy Riley and Billy Joyce"

  — Karl Gotch (Wikipedia EN)linkinfo

Students (2)

• 
  Satoru Sayama

  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
• 
  Antonio Inoki

  linkCatch Wrestling 3

  Confirmed

  Inoki trained under Karl Gotch and was deeply influenced by catch wrestling, which he incorporated into New Japan Pro-Wrestling's strong style

  (1970-1975)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  Inoki trained under Karl Gotch and was deeply influenced by catch wrestling, which he incorporated into New Japan Pro-Wrestling's strong style

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Gotch trained several wrestlers in Japan, including Satoru Sayama"

  — Antonio Inoki (Wikipedia EN)linkinfo

Sources