Emilio Mel Bruno

Also known as

Mel Bruno

Description

American judo pioneer and the first non-Oriental in the United States to receive 5th dan (1954) and later 6th dan. He was taught judo by his foster father Roy 'Pop' Moore and received his 1st dan certified by Jigoro Kano in 1935 (awarded by the Kodokan, not as a personal student). He was appointed supervisor of Judo and Combative Measures at Strategic Air Command headquarters in 1951, creating the SAC Judo program that trained thousands of airmen. He coached the US Judo team at the 1958 and 1961 World Championships and prepared the USAF team for the 1964 Olympic tryouts. He was known as the 'father of Air Force Judo'.

Teachers (2)

• person
  Roy Moore Sr.

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Probable

  Probable

  USAdojo states Moore, his foster father, taught him judo and wrestling in the early 1930s; Black Belt names him only as Moore's wrestling pupil and foster son.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  (1931)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  USAdojo states Moore, his foster father, taught him judo and wrestling in the early 1930s; Black Belt names him only as Moore's wrestling pupil and foster son.

  “Mel Bruno was the foster child of Roy “Pop” H. Moore Sr. [...] Pop taught judo and wrestling to both Mel, and his much younger son, Roy Jr., in the very early 1930's”

  — Emilio Mel Bruno - USAdojolink

  alt_routeIndirect

  “Mel Bruno was a high school student and one of Coach Moore's top wrestlers, as well as his foster son.”

  — (1971-01). The gentle old man of American Judo: Mel Brunolink info
• 
  Kotani Sumiyuki

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Possible

  Possible

  One magazine profile places his start in judo with Kotani on the wrestling mats; that may mean teaching or only shared practice.

  Some evidence points to the claim, but it is thin, indirect, or in unresolved conflict with other evidence.

  (1932)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  One magazine profile places his start in judo with Kotani on the wrestling mats; that may mean teaching or only shared practice.

  “Bruno took his initial bows in judo via the wrestling mats and Professor S. Kotani, who at that time in 1932 had come over to the United States for Olympic competition that same year in Los Angeles, California.”

  — (1971-01). The gentle old man of American Judo: Mel Brunolink info

Lineage

• Kōdōkan JūdōRoy Moore Sr. ← Matty Matsuda · 2 generations

Ranks (3)

• sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō

  military_tech6 dan Probable

  Probable

  USAdojo gives the rank; Black Belt puts it nine years after his 1954 fifth dan.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Dan-Kyu System (1963)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  USAdojo gives the rank; Black Belt puts it nine years after his 1954 fifth dan.

  “When he retired as a 6th degree balck [sic] belt nine years later”

  — Emilio Mel Bruno - USAdojolink

  “in 1954 Bruno was the first non-Oriental in the U.S. to receive a fifth degree. Nine years later he was presented with a sixth degree”

  — (1971-01). The gentle old man of American Judo: Mel Brunolink info

  military_tech5 dan Probable

  Probable

  Black Belt and USAdojo state it; USAdojo repeats the Black Belt text, so not independent; no record from the grading body.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Dan-Kyu System (1954)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Black Belt and USAdojo state it; USAdojo repeats the Black Belt text, so not independent; no record from the grading body.

  “In 1954, he was recommended [...] to receive his 5th degree black belt.”

  — Emilio Mel Bruno - USAdojolink

  “in 1954 Bruno was the first non-Oriental in the U.S. to receive a fifth degree”

  — (1971-01). The gentle old man of American Judo: Mel Brunolink info

  military_tech1 dan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Multiple independent sources confirm Bruno received his shodan from Kano/Kodokan in 1935

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

  Dan-Kyu System (1935)

  granted by Kanō Jigorō

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Multiple independent sources confirm Bruno received his shodan from Kano/Kodokan in 1935

  “Mel Bruno received his first degree Black Belt from Jigaro Kano in 1935”

  — Emilio Mel Bruno - USAdojolink

  “Bruno's black belt certificate was recommended by Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan judo”

  — (1971-01). The gentle old man of American Judo: Mel Brunolink info

Sources