Description

The gym Satoru Sayama opened in 1984 after leaving professional wrestling, where Shooto was developed. It first opened in Futako-Tamagawa and then reopened in Sangenjaya.

Also known as

Tiger Gym

Locations (2)

• location_onSangenjaya, Setagaya, Tokyo

  fact_check1 source expand_more

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “そうしたら三軒茶屋にあらためてジムができたんです。”

  — Dropkick. (2025-06-20). 【17,000字】川口健次が語るシューティング黎明期から、創始者・佐山聡離脱までlink info
• location_onFutako-Tamagawa, Setagaya, Tokyo

  fact_check1 source expand_more

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “最初は二子多摩川[sic]にできたんですが、入るか入らないか迷ってるうちにその場所にはなくなっちゃって。”

  — Dropkick. (2025-06-20). 【17,000字】川口健次が語るシューティング黎明期から、創始者・佐山聡離脱までlink info

Founder

Instructors (1)

• 
  Satoru Sayama

  1984 – 1988

Trained here (1)

• 
  Yorinaga Nakamura

  sports_martial_artsShooto Confirmed

  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

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  under Satoru Sayama (1984 – 1988)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  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

  “he enrolled at the Tiger Gym of Satoru Sayama. In November 1985, he became a full-time staff member of Sayama's gym. He trained in Sayama's style of Shootfighting”

  — Yorinaga Nakamura (Wikipedia EN)link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

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

  — USA Shooto - Yori Nakamura (official website) link

Tags

shooto

Sources