Archive Feature

Black Belt Hall of Fame
Inductee Directory

What exactly does it mean to be a member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame?

Since its introduction in 1968, the Black Belt Hall of Fame has become the highest public accolade that can be bestowed upon a martial artist.

At the time of its inception, the Black Belt Hall of Fame was the only martial arts "hall of fame" in existence.

Others have surfaced since then, of course, but Black Belt's has remained the leader in terms of stature, integrity and significance.

Since 1968, it has honored more than 200 gifted and devoted individuals for their artistry, technical skill, competitive achievement and ambassadorial longevity.

Alumni of this prestigious and exclusive club have toiled for years to presrve and pass along the history, techniques and nuances of their particular arts.

The few who are selected each year for the Black Belt Hall of Fame are chosen for their positive impact—not only on the martial arts community, but on the world at large.

This award-winner history of the Black Belt Hall of Fame is presented here as both a research tool and as a standing homage to those honorees of days present and past.

It is presented in three permutations for easy reference, sorted by year, award category and martial artist respectively.



BY YEAR

YEAR CATEGORY MARTIAL ARTIST
1968 Man of the Year Frank Fullerton
1968 Karate Player Award Chuck Norris
1968 Judo Player Award Hayward Nishioka
1968 Aikido Sensei Award Koichi Tohei
1968 Judo Sensei Award Kiro Nagano
1968 Karate Sensei Award Tsutomu Ohshima
1968 Kendo Sensei Award Shuji Mikami
1969 Man of the Year Sam Allred
1969 Karate Player Award Thomas LaPuppet
1969 Judo Player Award Ben Campbell
1969 Karate Sensei Award Fumio Demura
1969 Judo Sensei Award Masato Tamura
1969 Jiu-Jitsu Sensei Award Wally Jay
1969 Aikido Sensei Award Yukiso Yamamoto
1970 Man of the Year Eichi K. Koiwai
1970 Karate Player Award Ronald Marchini
1970 Judo Player Award Allen Coage
1970 Kung Fu Instructor of the Year Ark Y. Wong
1970 Karate Sensei Award Ki Whang Kim
1970 Judo Sensei Award George Wilson
1970 Aikido Sensei Award Shinichi Suzuki
1971 Man of the Year S. Henry Cho
1971 Karate Sensei Award Robert Yarnall
1971 Judo Sensei Award George Harris
1971 Kendo Sensei Award Maki Miyahara
1971 Judo Player Award Paul Maruyama
1971 Karate Player Award Mike Stone
1972 Man of the Year Dan Ivan
1972 Karate Sensei Award Gosei Yamaguchi
1972 Judo Sensei Award Taizo Sone
1972 Aikido Sensei Award Yoshimitsu Yamada
1972 Jeet Kune Do Sensei Award Bruce Lee
1972 Karate Player Award Joseph Hayes
1972 Judo Player Award Doug Graham
1973 Man of the Year Ernest Lieb
1973 Karate Sensei Award Richard Kim
1973 Judo Sensei Award Dr. Sachio Ashida
1973 Tai chi Chuan Sensei Award Marshal Ho'o
1973 Karate Player Award Bill Wallace
1973 Judo Player Award Jim Bregman
1974 Martial Artist of the Year Bruce Lee
1974 Judo Player of the Year Pat Burris
1974 Karate Player of the Year Howard Jackson
1974 Kung Fu Instructor of the Year Buck Sam Kong
1974 Judo Instructor of the Year Karl Geis
1974 Karate Instructor of the Year Gary Alexander
1975 Martial Artist of the Year Fumio Demura
1975 Karate Instructor of the Year Chuck Norris
1975 Judo Instructor of the Year Willie Cahill
1975 Karate Player of the Year Joe Lewis
1975 Judo Player of the Year Tommy Martin
1976 Martial Artist of the Year Ed Parker
1976 Karate Instructor of the Year Jay T. Will
1976 Karate Player of the Year Jeff Smith
1976 Judo Instructor of the Year Shag Okada
1976 Judo Player of the Year Pat Burris
1977 Man of the Year Chuck Norris
1977 Karate Player of the Year Bill Wallace
1977 Judo Player of the Year Allen Coage
1977 Judo Instructor of the Year Hayward Nishioka
1977 Karate Instructor of the Year Glenn Keeney
1977 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Al Dacascos
1977 Special Recognition Award Dan Inosanto
1978 Man of the Year Bill Wallace
1978 Instructor of the Year Kenneth Funakoshi
1978 Competitor of the Year Benny Urquidez
1978 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Alan Lee
1978 Judo Competitor of the Year Irwin Cohen
1978 Judo Instructor of the Year Jimmy Pedro Sr.
1978 Special Recognition Award Bong Soo Han
1979 Karate Competitor of the Year Ray McCallum
1979 Instructor of the Year Richard Chun
1979 Instructor of the Year Hidy Ochiai
1979 Instructor of the Year Ed Parker
1979 Instructor of the Year Lily Siou
1979 Judo Instructor of the Year Charles Chaves
1979 Judo Competitor of the Year Brett Barron
1979 Publisher's Award Tsutomu Ohshima
1979 Karate Illustrated Editor's Award Jhoon Rhee
1979 Black Belt Editor's Award Robert Trias
1979 Fighting Star Editor's Award Chuck Norris
1980 Man of the Year Hidy Ochiai
1980 Competitor of the Year Linda Denley
1980 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Anthony Chan
1980 Instructor of the Year Chuck Merriman
1980 Judo Instructor of the Year Ed Maley
1980 Judo Competitor of the Year Steve Seck
1981 Man of the Year Roy Kurban
1981 Instructor of the Year Ernie Reyes Sr.
1981 Competitor of the Year Keith Vitali
1981 Judo Instructor of the Year Jack Williams
1981 Judo Competitor of the Year Jimmy Martin
1982 Man of the Year Teruyuki Okazaki
1982 Instructor of the Year Remy Presas
1982 Kumite Competitor of the Year Steve Anderson
1982 Forms Competitor of the Year John Chung
1982 Judo Instructor of the Year Yoshisada Yonezuka
1982 Judo Competitor of the Year Mike Swain
1982 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Roger Tung
1983 Man of the Year Jhoon Rhee
1983 Special Award Demetrius Havanas
1983 Male Competitor of the Year George Chung
1983 Female Competitor of the Year Cynthia Rothrock
1983 Instructor of the Year Dan Inosanto
1983 Kung Fu Artist of the Year William Cheung
1983 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Jean-Yves Theriault
1983 Judo Instructor of the Year Paul Maruyama
1983 Judo Competitor of the Year Leo White
1984 Man of the Year In Hyuk Suh
1984 Instructor of the Year Steve Sanders
1984 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Brendan Lai
1984 Competitor of the Year Arlene Limas
1984 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Don Wilson
1984 Judoka of the Year Robert Berland
1985 Man of the Year George Anderson
1985 Competitor of the Year Keith Hirabayashi
1985 Instructor of the Year Stephen K. Hayes
1985 Judoka of the Year Eddie Liddie
1985 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Adam Hsu
1985 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Brad Hefton
1986 Man of the Year Richard Kim
1986 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Eric Lee
1986 Co-Instructor of the Year Masaaki Hatsumi
1986 Co-Instructor of the Year Joe Lewis
1986 Competitor of the Year Charlie Lee
1986 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Jerry Rhome
1986 Black Belt Honorary Award Ronald McNair
1987 Man of the Year Tsutomu Ohshima
1987 Woman of the Year Lisa Sliwa
1987 Co-Instructor of the Year Ray Dalke
1987 Co-Instructor of the Year Arsenio J. Advincula
1987 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Ark Y. Wong
1987 Weapons Expert of the Year Tadashi Yamashita
1987 Male Competitor of the Year Dae Sung Lee
1987 Female Competitor of the Year Lisa Kozak
1987 Black Belt Honorary Award Masatoshi Nakayama
1988 Man of the Year Daniel Lee
1988 Co-Woman of the Year Dana Hee
1988 Co-Woman of the Year Arlene Limas
1988 Co-Woman of the Year Lynnette Love
1988 Co-Instructor of the Year Ralph Castro
1988 Co-Instructor of the Year Steven Seagal
1988 Weapons Instructor of the Year Dan Inosanto
1988 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Chan Pui
1988 Judoka of the Year Kevin Asano
1988 Black Belt Honorary Award William Chow
1989 Man of the Year Hwang Kee
1989 Woman of the Year Graciela Casillas
1989 Co-Instructor of the Year Hee Il Cho
1989 Co-Instructor of the Year Richard Bustillo
1989 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Paulie Zink
1989 Judoka of the Year Lynn Roethke
1989 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Kevin Thompson
1989 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Ferdie Allas
1989 Female Competitor of the Year Christine Bannon
1989 Black Belt Honorary Award Robert Trias
1990 Man of the Year Wally Jay
1990 Woman of the Year Karyn Turner
1990 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Tsuyoshi Ishigami
1990 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Michael Bernardo
1990 Female Competitor of the Year Debbie Tang
1990 Instructor of the Year Takayuki Mikami
1990 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Seng Jeorng Au
1990 Weapons Instructor of the Year Takayuki Kubota
1990 Honorary Award Ed Parker
1991 Man of the Year Joe Mirza
1991 Woman of the Year Kathy Long
1991 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Chip Wright
1991 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Hosung Pak
1991 Female Competitor of the Year Edna Lima
1991 Instructor of the Year Adriano Emperado
1991 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Doc-Fai Wong
1991 Weapons Instructor of the Year Angel Cabales
1991 Judoka of the Year Gene LeBell
1992 Man of the Year Curtis Sliwa
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Lynnette Love
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Danielle Laney
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Terry Poindexter
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Diane Murray
1992 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Herb Perez
1992 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Juan Moreno
1992 Female Competitor of the Year Mari Kotaka
1992 Instructor of the Year Osamu Ozawa
1992 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Kathy Long
1992 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Richard Branden
1992 Judoka of the Year Jason Morris
1992 Weapons Instructor of the Year Floro Villabrille
1992 Honorary Award Shogo Kuniba
1993 Man of the Year Brandon Lee
1993 Woman of the Year Linda Lee Cadwell
1993 Instructor of the Year Jeff Speakman
1993 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Anthony Goh
1993 Honorary Award Ki Whang Kim
1993 Competitor of the Year Akebono
1994 Man of the Year William Rodriguez
1994 Honorary Award Masutatsu Oyama
1994 Instructor of the Year Mike Stone
1994 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Tat-Mau Wong
1994 Weapons Expert of the Year Remy Presas
1994 Competitor of the Year Royce Gracie
1995 Man of the Year Chun Sik Kim
1995 Judo Instructor of the Year Mike Swain
1995 Instructor of the Year Pat Johnson
1995 Woman of the Year Shannon Lee
1995 Competitor of the Year Clayton Barber
1995 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Bow Sim Mark
1996 Man of the Year Dan Inosanto
1996 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Jackie Chan
1996 Judoka of the Year Jimmy Pedro
1996 Instructor of the Year Yuki Koda
1996 Competitor of the Year Lucia Rijker
1996 Woman of the Year Cheryl Wheeler
1997 Man of the Year Helio Gracie
1997 Woman of the Year Karen Sheperd
1997 Instructor of the Year George Dillman
1997 Judo Instructor of the Year Gokor Chivichyan
1997 Weapons Instructor of the Year Pan Qing Fu
1997 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Gene Chicoine
1997 Co-Competitor of the Year Mike Chaturantabut
1997 Co-Competitor of the Year Jon Valera
1997 Full-Contact Competitor of the Year Randy Couture
1997 Honorary Award Toshiro Mifune
1998 Man of the Year Joe Corley
1998 Woman of the Year Bridgett Riley
1998 Instructor of the Year Steve DeMasco
1998 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Frank Shamrock
1998 Male Competitor of the Year Mike Pombeiro
1998 Female Competitor of the Year Ming Liu
1998 Kung Fu Instructor of the Year Dennis Brown
1998 Black Belt Award Gichin Funakoshi
1998 Black Belt Award Jigoro Kano
2000 Man of the Year Dominick Giacobbe
2000 Woman of the Year Esther Kim
2000 Male Competitor of the Year Steven Lopez
2000 Female Competitor of the Year Barbara Chinen
2000 Instructor of the Year Jerry Beasley
2000 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Willie Johnson
2000 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Ken Shamrock
2000 Weapons Instructor of the Year Ciriaco Canete
2001 Man of the Year Jeremy Glick
2001 Instructor of the Year Chong S. Kim
2001 Coach of the Year Don Rodrigues
2001 Weapons Instructor of the Year W. Hock Hochheim
2001 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Jet Li
2001 Competitor of the Year John Fonseca
2001 NHB Co-Competitor of the Year Tito Ortiz
2001 NHB Co-Competitor of the Year Chuck Liddell
2001 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Maurice Smith
2001 Honorary Award Andy Hug
2002 Man of the Year Kazuyoshi Ishii
2002 Woman of the Year Melissa Soalt
2002 Kung Fu Artist of the Year David Carradine
2002 Instructor of the Year Ron Van Clief
2002 NHB Fighter of the Year Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
2002 Competitor of the Year Casey Marks
2002 Coach of the Year Tokey Hill
2002 Honorary Award Choi Hong-Hi
2003 Man of the Year Peter Urban
2003 Woman of the Year Meredith Gold
2003 Instructor of the Year Charles Mattera
2003 Weapons Instructor of the Year Mark Shuey Sr.
2003 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Yang Jwing-Ming
2003 Competitor of the Year Elisa Au
2003 NHB Fighter of the Year Bob Sapp
2003 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Mirko Filipovic
2003 Honorary Award Alex Gong
2004 Man of the Year Hyun Chul Hwang
2004 Instructor of the Year John Pellegrini
2004 Competitor of the Year Nia Abdallah
2004 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Alan Goldberg
2004 Weapons Instructor of the Year Dana Abbott
2004 NHB Fighter of the Year Fedor Emelianenko
2004 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Ernesto Hoost
2004 Judo Instructor of the Year Jimmy Pedro
2004 Lifetime Achievement Award Michael DePasquale Sr.
2004 Honorary Award Bobby Burbidge
2006 Man of the Year Ted Wong
2006 Woman of the Year Dawn Barnes
2006 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Leo Fong
2006 Instructor of the Year Rorion Gracie
2006 Competitor of the Year Michele Krasnoo
2006 Weapons Instructor of the Year Masayuki Shimabukuro
2006 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year Jim Wagner
2006 NHB Fighter of the Year Matt Hughes
2006 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Bart Vale
2006 Honorary Award Howard Jackson
2007 Man of the Year Lou Angel
2007 Woman of the Year Lisa King
2007 Instructor of the Year George Kirby
2007 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year Mike Lee Kanarek
2007 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Cung Le
2007 MMA Fighter of the Year Dan Henderson
2007 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Gina Carano
2007 Competitor of the Year Caitlin Dechelle
2007 Weapons Instructor of the Year Bram Frank
2007 Honorary Award Larry Hartsell
2008 Man of the Year Dana White
2008 MMA Fighter of the Year Georges St. Pierre
2008 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Semmy Schilt
2008 Judoka of the Year Ronda Rousey
2008 Weapons Instructor of the Year Anthony De Longis
2008 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year Kelly McCann
2008 Kung Fu Artist of the Year David C.K. Lin
2008 Instructor of the Year Peyton Quinn
2008 Competitor of the Year Diana Lopez
2008 Honorary Award Sid Campbell



 
BY AWARD CATEGORY

YEAR CATEGORY MARTIAL ARTIST
1968 Aikido Sensei Award Koichi Tohei
1969 Aikido Sensei Award Yukiso Yamamoto
1970 Aikido Sensei Award Shinichi Suzuki
1972 Aikido Sensei Award Yoshimitsu Yamada
1998 Black Belt Award Gichin Funakoshi
1998 Black Belt Award Jigoro Kano
1979 Black Belt Editor's Award Robert Trias
1986 Black Belt Honorary Award Ronald McNair
1987 Black Belt Honorary Award Masatoshi Nakayama
1988 Black Belt Honorary Award William Chow
1989 Black Belt Honorary Award Robert Trias
2001 Coach of the Year Don Rodrigues
2002 Coach of the Year Tokey Hill
1997 Co-Competitor of the Year Mike Chaturantabut
1997 Co-Competitor of the Year Jon Valera
1986 Co-Instructor of the Year Masaaki Hatsumi
1986 Co-Instructor of the Year Joe Lewis
1987 Co-Instructor of the Year Ray Dalke
1987 Co-Instructor of the Year Arsenio J. Advincula
1988 Co-Instructor of the Year Ralph Castro
1988 Co-Instructor of the Year Steven Seagal
1989 Co-Instructor of the Year Hee Il Cho
1989 Co-Instructor of the Year Richard Bustillo
1978 Competitor of the Year Benny Urquidez
1980 Competitor of the Year Linda Denley
1981 Competitor of the Year Keith Vitali
1984 Competitor of the Year Arlene Limas
1985 Competitor of the Year Keith Hirabayashi
1986 Competitor of the Year Charlie Lee
1993 Competitor of the Year Akebono
1994 Competitor of the Year Royce Gracie
1995 Competitor of the Year Clayton Barber
1996 Competitor of the Year Lucia Rijker
2001 Competitor of the Year John Fonseca
2002 Competitor of the Year Casey Marks
2003 Competitor of the Year Elisa Au
2004 Competitor of the Year Nia Abdallah
2006 Competitor of the Year Michele Krasnoo
2007 Competitor of the Year Caitlin Dechelle
2008 Competitor of the Year Diana Lopez
1988 Co-Woman of the Year Dana Hee
1988 Co-Woman of the Year Arlene Limas
1988 Co-Woman of the Year Lynnette Love
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Lynnette Love
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Danielle Laney
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Terry Poindexter
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Diane Murray
1983 Female Competitor of the Year Cynthia Rothrock
1987 Female Competitor of the Year Lisa Kozak
1989 Female Competitor of the Year Christine Bannon
1990 Female Competitor of the Year Debbie Tang
1991 Female Competitor of the Year Edna Lima
1992 Female Competitor of the Year Mari Kotaka
1998 Female Competitor of the Year Ming Liu
2000 Female Competitor of the Year Barbara Chinen
1979 Fighting Star Editor's Award Chuck Norris
1982 Forms Competitor of the Year John Chung
1997 Full-Contact Competitor of the Year Randy Couture
1983 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Jean-Yves Theriault
1984 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Don Wilson
1985 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Brad Hefton
1986 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Jerry Rhome
1992 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Kathy Long
1998 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Frank Shamrock
2000 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Ken Shamrock
2001 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Maurice Smith
2003 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Mirko Filipovic
2004 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Ernesto Hoost
2006 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Bart Vale
2007 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Gina Carano
2008 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Semmy Schilt
1990 Honorary Award Ed Parker
1992 Honorary Award Shogo Kuniba
1993 Honorary Award Ki Whang Kim
1994 Honorary Award Masutatsu Oyama
1997 Honorary Award Toshiro Mifune
2001 Honorary Award Andy Hug
2002 Honorary Award Choi Hong-Hi
2003 Honorary Award Alex Gong
2004 Honorary Award Bobby Burbidge
2006 Honorary Award Howard Jackson
2007 Honorary Award Larry Hartsell
2008 Honorary Award Sid Campbell
1978 Instructor of the Year Kenneth Funakoshi
1979 Instructor of the Year Ed Parker
1979 Instructor of the Year Lily Siou
1980 Instructor of the Year Chuck Merriman
1982 Instructor of the Year Remy Presas
1983 Instructor of the Year Dan Inosanto
1984 Instructor of the Year Steve Sanders
1985 Instructor of the Year Stephen K. Hayes
1991 Instructor of the Year Adriano Emperado
1992 Instructor of the Year Osamu Ozawa
1993 Instructor of the Year Jeff Speakman
1994 Instructor of the Year Mike Stone
1995 Instructor of the Year Pat Johnson
1996 Instructor of the Year Yuki Koda
1997 Instructor of the Year George Dillman
1998 Instructor of the Year Steve DeMasco
2000 Instructor of the Year Jerry Beasley
2001 Instructor of the Year Chong S. Kim
2002 Instructor of the Year Ron Van Clief
2003 Instructor of the Year Charles Mattera
2004 Instructor of the Year John Pellegrini
2006 Instructor of the Year Rorion Gracie
2007 Instructor of the Year George Kirby
2008 Instructor of the Year Peyton Quinn
1979 Instructor of the Year Richard Chun
1979 Instructor of the Year Hidy Ochiai
1981 Instructor of the Year Ernie Reyes Sr.
1990 Instructor of the Year Takayuki Mikami
1972 Jeet Kune Do Sensei Award Bruce Lee
1969 Jiu-Jitsu Sensei Award Wally Jay
1978 Judo Competitor of the Year Irwin Cohen
1979 Judo Competitor of the Year Brett Barron
1980 Judo Competitor of the Year Steve Seck
1981 Judo Competitor of the Year Jimmy Martin
1982 Judo Competitor of the Year Mike Swain
1983 Judo Competitor of the Year Leo White
1974 Judo Instructor of the Year Karl Geis
1975 Judo Instructor of the Year Willie Cahill
1976 Judo Instructor of the Year Shag Okada
1977 Judo Instructor of the Year Hayward Nishioka
1978 Judo Instructor of the Year Jimmy Pedro Sr.
1979 Judo Instructor of the Year Charles Chaves
1980 Judo Instructor of the Year Ed Maley
1981 Judo Instructor of the Year Jack Williams
1982 Judo Instructor of the Year Yoshisada Yonezuka
1983 Judo Instructor of the Year Paul Maruyama
1995 Judo Instructor of the Year Mike Swain
1997 Judo Instructor of the Year Gokor Chivichyan
2004 Judo Instructor of the Year Jimmy Pedro
1968 Judo Player Award Hayward Nishioka
1969 Judo Player Award Ben Campbell
1970 Judo Player Award Allen Coage
1971 Judo Player Award Paul Maruyama
1972 Judo Player Award Doug Graham
1973 Judo Player Award Jim Bregman
1974 Judo Player of the Year Pat Burris
1975 Judo Player of the Year Tommy Martin
1976 Judo Player of the Year Pat Burris
1977 Judo Player of the Year Allen Coage
1968 Judo Sensei Award Kiro Nagano
1969 Judo Sensei Award Masato Tamura
1970 Judo Sensei Award George Wilson
1971 Judo Sensei Award George Harris
1972 Judo Sensei Award Taizo Sone
1973 Judo Sensei Award Dr. Sachio Ashida
1984 Judoka of the Year Robert Berland
1985 Judoka of the Year Eddie Liddie
1988 Judoka of the Year Kevin Asano
1989 Judoka of the Year Lynn Roethke
1991 Judoka of the Year Gene LeBell
1992 Judoka of the Year Jason Morris
1996 Judoka of the Year Jimmy Pedro
2008 Judoka of the Year Ronda Rousey
1979 Karate Competitor of the Year Ray McCallum
1979 Karate Illustrated Editor's Award Jhoon Rhee
1974 Karate Instructor of the Year Gary Alexander
1975 Karate Instructor of the Year Chuck Norris
1976 Karate Instructor of the Year Jay T. Will
1977 Karate Instructor of the Year Glenn Keeney
1968 Karate Player Award Chuck Norris
1969 Karate Player Award Thomas LaPuppet
1970 Karate Player Award Ronald Marchini
1971 Karate Player Award Mike Stone
1972 Karate Player Award Joseph Hayes
1973 Karate Player Award Bill Wallace
1974 Karate Player of the Year Howard Jackson
1975 Karate Player of the Year Joe Lewis
1976 Karate Player of the Year Jeff Smith
1977 Karate Player of the Year Bill Wallace
1968 Karate Sensei Award Tsutomu Ohshima
1969 Karate Sensei Award Fumio Demura
1970 Karate Sensei Award Ki Whang Kim
1971 Karate Sensei Award Robert Yarnall
1972 Karate Sensei Award Gosei Yamaguchi
1973 Karate Sensei Award Richard Kim
1968 Kendo Sensei Award Shuji Mikami
1971 Kendo Sensei Award Maki Miyahara
1982 Kumite Competitor of the Year Steve Anderson
1977 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Al Dacascos
1978 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Alan Lee
1980 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Anthony Chan
1982 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Roger Tung
1983 Kung Fu Artist of the Year William Cheung
1984 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Brendan Lai
1985 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Adam Hsu
1986 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Eric Lee
1987 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Ark Y. Wong
1988 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Chan Pui
1989 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Paulie Zink
1990 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Seng Jeorng Au
1991 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Doc-Fai Wong
1992 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Richard Branden
1993 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Anthony Goh
1994 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Tat-Mau Wong
1995 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Bow Sim Mark
1996 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Jackie Chan
1997 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Gene Chicoine
2000 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Willie Johnson
2001 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Jet Li
2002 Kung Fu Artist of the Year David Carradine
2003 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Yang Jwing-Ming
2004 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Alan Goldberg
2006 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Leo Fong
2007 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Cung Le
2008 Kung Fu Artist of the Year David C.K. Lin
1970 Kung Fu Instructor of the Year Ark Y. Wong
1974 Kung Fu Instructor of the Year Buck Sam Kong
1998 Kung Fu Instructor of the Year Dennis Brown
2004 Lifetime Achievement Award Michael DePasquale Sr.
1989 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Kevin Thompson
1989 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Ferdie Allas
1990 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Tsuyoshi Ishigami
1990 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Michael Bernardo
1991 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Chip Wright
1991 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Hosung Pak
1992 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Herb Perez
1992 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Juan Moreno
1983 Male Competitor of the Year George Chung
1987 Male Competitor of the Year Dae Sung Lee
1998 Male Competitor of the Year Mike Pombeiro
2000 Male Competitor of the Year Steven Lopez
1968 Man of the Year Frank Fullerton
1969 Man of the Year Sam Allred
1970 Man of the Year Eichi K. Koiwai
1971 Man of the Year S. Henry Cho
1972 Man of the Year Dan Ivan
1973 Man of the Year Ernest Lieb
1977 Man of the Year Chuck Norris
1978 Man of the Year Bill Wallace
1980 Man of the Year Hidy Ochiai
1981 Man of the Year Roy Kurban
1982 Man of the Year Teruyuki Okazaki
1983 Man of the Year Jhoon Rhee
1984 Man of the Year In Hyuk Suh
1985 Man of the Year George Anderson
1986 Man of the Year Richard Kim
1987 Man of the Year Tsutomu Ohshima
1988 Man of the Year Daniel Lee
1989 Man of the Year Hwang Kee
1990 Man of the Year Wally Jay
1991 Man of the Year Joe Mirza
1992 Man of the Year Curtis Sliwa
1993 Man of the Year Brandon Lee
1994 Man of the Year William Rodriguez
1995 Man of the Year Chun Sik Kim
1996 Man of the Year Dan Inosanto
1997 Man of the Year Helio Gracie
1998 Man of the Year Joe Corley
2000 Man of the Year Dominick Giacobbe
2001 Man of the Year Jeremy Glick
2002 Man of the Year Kazuyoshi Ishii
2003 Man of the Year Peter Urban
2004 Man of the Year Hyun Chul Hwang
2006 Man of the Year Ted Wong
2007 Man of the Year Lou Angel
2008 Man of the Year Dana White
1974 Martial Artist of the Year Bruce Lee
1975 Martial Artist of the Year Fumio Demura
1976 Martial Artist of the Year Ed Parker
2007 MMA Fighter of the Year Dan Henderson
2008 MMA Fighter of the Year Georges St. Pierre
2001 NHB Co-Competitor of the Year Tito Ortiz
2001 NHB Co-Competitor of the Year Chuck Liddell
2002 NHB Fighter of the Year Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
2003 NHB Fighter of the Year Bob Sapp
2004 NHB Fighter of the Year Fedor Emelianenko
2006 NHB Fighter of the Year Matt Hughes
1979 Publisher's Award Tsutomu Ohshima
2006 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year Jim Wagner
2007 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year Mike Lee Kanarek
2008 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year Kelly McCann
1983 Special Award Demetrius Havanas
1977 Special Recognition Award Dan Inosanto
1978 Special Recognition Award Bong Soo Han
1973 Tai chi Chuan Sensei Award Marshal Ho'o
1987 Weapons Expert of the Year Tadashi Yamashita
1994 Weapons Expert of the Year Remy Presas
1988 Weapons Instructor of the Year Dan Inosanto
1990 Weapons Instructor of the Year Takayuki Kubota
1991 Weapons Instructor of the Year Angel Cabales
1992 Weapons Instructor of the Year Floro Villabrille
1997 Weapons Instructor of the Year Pan Qing Fu
2000 Weapons Instructor of the Year Ciriaco Canete
2001 Weapons Instructor of the Year W. Hock Hochheim
2003 Weapons Instructor of the Year Mark Shuey Sr.
2004 Weapons Instructor of the Year Dana Abbott
2006 Weapons Instructor of the Year Masayuki Shimabukuro
2007 Weapons Instructor of the Year Bram Frank
2008 Weapons Instructor of the Year Anthony De Longis
1987 Woman of the Year Lisa Sliwa
1989 Woman of the Year Graciela Casillas
1990 Woman of the Year Karyn Turner
1991 Woman of the Year Kathy Long
1993 Woman of the Year Linda Lee Cadwell
1995 Woman of the Year Shannon Lee
1996 Woman of the Year Cheryl Wheeler
1997 Woman of the Year Karen Sheperd
1998 Woman of the Year Bridgett Riley
2000 Woman of the Year Esther Kim
2002 Woman of the Year Melissa Soalt
2003 Woman of the Year Meredith Gold
2006 Woman of the Year Dawn Barnes
2007 Woman of the Year Lisa King



 
BY MARTIAL ARTIST

YEAR CATEGORY MARTIAL ARTIST
1985 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Adam Hsu
1991 Instructor of the Year Adriano Emperado
1993 Competitor of the Year Akebono
1977 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Al Dacascos
2004 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Alan Goldberg
1978 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Alan Lee
2003 Honorary Award Alex Gong
1970 Judo Player Award Allen Coage
1977 Judo Player of the Year Allen Coage
2001 Honorary Award Andy Hug
1991 Weapons Instructor of the Year Angel Cabales
1980 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Anthony Chan
2008 Weapons Instructor of the Year Anthony De Longis
1993 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Anthony Goh
2002 NHB Fighter of the Year Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
1987 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Ark Y. Wong
1970 Kung Fu Instructor of the Year Ark Y. Wong
1984 Competitor of the Year Arlene Limas
1988 Co-Woman of the Year Arlene Limas
1987 Co-Instructor of the Year Arsenio J. Advincula
2000 Female Competitor of the Year Barbara Chinen
2006 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Bart Vale
1969 Judo Player Award Ben Campbell
1978 Competitor of the Year Benny Urquidez
1973 Karate Player Award Bill Wallace
1977 Karate Player of the Year Bill Wallace
1978 Man of the Year Bill Wallace
2003 NHB Fighter of the Year Bob Sapp
2004 Honorary Award Bobby Burbidge
1978 Special Recognition Award Bong Soo Han
1995 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Bow Sim Mark
1985 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Brad Hefton
2007 Weapons Instructor of the Year Bram Frank
1993 Man of the Year Brandon Lee
1984 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Brendan Lai
1979 Judo Competitor of the Year Brett Barron
1998 Woman of the Year Bridgett Riley
1972 Jeet Kune Do Sensei Award Bruce Lee
1974 Martial Artist of the Year Bruce Lee
1974 Kung Fu Instructor of the Year Buck Sam Kong
2007 Competitor of the Year Caitlin Dechelle
2002 Competitor of the Year Casey Marks
1988 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Chan Pui
1979 Judo Instructor of the Year Charles Chaves
2003 Instructor of the Year Charles Mattera
1986 Competitor of the Year Charlie Lee
1996 Woman of the Year Cheryl Wheeler
1991 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Chip Wright
2002 Honorary Award Choi Hong-Hi
2001 Instructor of the Year Chong S. Kim
1989 Female Competitor of the Year Christine Bannon
2001 NHB Co-Competitor of the Year Chuck Liddell
1980 Instructor of the Year Chuck Merriman
1979 Fighting Star Editor's Award Chuck Norris
1975 Karate Instructor of the Year Chuck Norris
1968 Karate Player Award Chuck Norris
1977 Man of the Year Chuck Norris
1995 Man of the Year Chun Sik Kim
2000 Weapons Instructor of the Year Ciriaco Canete
1995 Competitor of the Year Clayton Barber
2007 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Cung Le
1992 Man of the Year Curtis Sliwa
1983 Female Competitor of the Year Cynthia Rothrock
1987 Male Competitor of the Year Dae Sung Lee
2007 MMA Fighter of the Year Dan Henderson
1983 Instructor of the Year Dan Inosanto
1996 Man of the Year Dan Inosanto
1977 Special Recognition Award Dan Inosanto
1988 Weapons Instructor of the Year Dan Inosanto
1972 Man of the Year Dan Ivan
2004 Weapons Instructor of the Year Dana Abbott
1988 Co-Woman of the Year Dana Hee
2008 Man of the Year Dana White
1988 Man of the Year Daniel Lee
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Danielle Laney
2008 Kung Fu Artist of the Year David C.K. Lin
2002 Kung Fu Artist of the Year David Carradine
2006 Woman of the Year Dawn Barnes
1990 Female Competitor of the Year Debbie Tang
1983 Special Award Demetrius Havanas
1998 Kung Fu Instructor of the Year Dennis Brown
2008 Competitor of the Year Diana Lopez
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Diane Murray
1991 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Doc-Fai Wong
2000 Man of the Year Dominick Giacobbe
2001 Coach of the Year Don Rodrigues
1984 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Don Wilson
1972 Judo Player Award Doug Graham
1973 Judo Sensei Award Dr. Sachio Ashida
1980 Judo Instructor of the Year Ed Maley
1990 Honorary Award Ed Parker
1979 Instructor of the Year Ed Parker
1976 Martial Artist of the Year Ed Parker
1985 Judoka of the Year Eddie Liddie
1991 Female Competitor of the Year Edna Lima
1970 Man of the Year Eichi K. Koiwai
1986 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Eric Lee
1973 Man of the Year Ernest Lieb
2004 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Ernesto Hoost
1981 Instructor of the Year Ernie Reyes Sr.
2000 Woman of the Year Esther Kim
2004 NHB Fighter of the Year Fedor Emelianenko
1989 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Ferdie Allas
1992 Weapons Instructor of the Year Floro Villabrille
1968 Man of the Year Frank Fullerton
1998 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Frank Shamrock
1969 Karate Sensei Award Fumio Demura
1975 Martial Artist of the Year Fumio Demura
1974 Karate Instructor of the Year Gary Alexander
1997 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Gene Chicoine
1991 Judoka of the Year Gene LeBell
1985 Man of the Year George Anderson
1983 Male Competitor of the Year George Chung
1997 Instructor of the Year George Dillman
1971 Judo Sensei Award George Harris
2007 Instructor of the Year George Kirby
1970 Judo Sensei Award George Wilson
2008 MMA Fighter of the Year Georges St. Pierre
1998 Black Belt Award Gichin Funakoshi
2007 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Gina Carano
1977 Karate Instructor of the Year Glenn Keeney
1997 Judo Instructor of the Year Gokor Chivichyan
1972 Karate Sensei Award Gosei Yamaguchi
1989 Woman of the Year Graciela Casillas
1977 Judo Instructor of the Year Hayward Nishioka
1968 Judo Player Award Hayward Nishioka
1989 Co-Instructor of the Year Hee Il Cho
1997 Man of the Year Helio Gracie
1992 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Herb Perez
1979 Instructor of the Year Hidy Ochiai
1980 Man of the Year Hidy Ochiai
1991 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Hosung Pak
2006 Honorary Award Howard Jackson
1974 Karate Player of the Year Howard Jackson
1989 Man of the Year Hwang Kee
2004 Man of the Year Hyun Chul Hwang
1984 Man of the Year In Hyuk Suh
1978 Judo Competitor of the Year Irwin Cohen
1981 Judo Instructor of the Year Jack Williams
1996 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Jackie Chan
1992 Judoka of the Year Jason Morris
1976 Karate Instructor of the Year Jay T. Will
1983 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Jean-Yves Theriault
1976 Karate Player of the Year Jeff Smith
1993 Instructor of the Year Jeff Speakman
2001 Man of the Year Jeremy Glick
2000 Instructor of the Year Jerry Beasley
1986 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Jerry Rhome
2001 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Jet Li
1979 Karate Illustrated Editor's Award Jhoon Rhee
1983 Man of the Year Jhoon Rhee
1998 Black Belt Award Jigoro Kano
1973 Judo Player Award Jim Bregman
2006 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year Jim Wagner
1981 Judo Competitor of the Year Jimmy Martin
2004 Judo Instructor of the Year Jimmy Pedro
1996 Judoka of the Year Jimmy Pedro
1978 Judo Instructor of the Year Jimmy Pedro Sr.
1998 Man of the Year Joe Corley
1986 Co-Instructor of the Year Joe Lewis
1975 Karate Player of the Year Joe Lewis
1991 Man of the Year Joe Mirza
1982 Forms Competitor of the Year John Chung
2001 Competitor of the Year John Fonseca
2004 Instructor of the Year John Pellegrini
1997 Co-Competitor of the Year Jon Valera
1972 Karate Player Award Joseph Hayes
1992 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Juan Moreno
1997 Woman of the Year Karen Sheperd
1974 Judo Instructor of the Year Karl Geis
1990 Woman of the Year Karyn Turner
1992 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Kathy Long
1991 Woman of the Year Kathy Long
2002 Man of the Year Kazuyoshi Ishii
1985 Competitor of the Year Keith Hirabayashi
1981 Competitor of the Year Keith Vitali
2008 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year Kelly McCann
2000 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Ken Shamrock
1978 Instructor of the Year Kenneth Funakoshi
1988 Judoka of the Year Kevin Asano
1989 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Kevin Thompson
1993 Honorary Award Ki Whang Kim
1970 Karate Sensei Award Ki Whang Kim
1968 Judo Sensei Award Kiro Nagano
1968 Aikido Sensei Award Koichi Tohei
2007 Honorary Award Larry Hartsell
2006 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Leo Fong
1983 Judo Competitor of the Year Leo White
1979 Instructor of the Year Lily Siou
1980 Competitor of the Year Linda Denley
1993 Woman of the Year Linda Lee Cadwell
2003 Competitor of the Year Elisa Au
2007 Woman of the Year Lisa King
1987 Female Competitor of the Year Lisa Kozak
1987 Woman of the Year Lisa Sliwa
2007 Man of the Year Lou Angel
1996 Competitor of the Year Lucia Rijker
1989 Judoka of the Year Lynn Roethke
1988 Co-Woman of the Year Lynnette Love
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Lynnette Love
1971 Kendo Sensei Award Maki Miyahara
1992 Female Competitor of the Year Mari Kotaka
2003 Weapons Instructor of the Year Mark Shuey Sr.
1973 Tai chi Chuan Sensei Award Marshal Ho'o
1986 Co-Instructor of the Year Masaaki Hatsumi
1969 Judo Sensei Award Masato Tamura
1987 Black Belt Honorary Award Masatoshi Nakayama
2006 Weapons Instructor of the Year Masayuki Shimabukuro
1994 Honorary Award Masutatsu Oyama
2006 NHB Fighter of the Year Matt Hughes
2001 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Maurice Smith
2002 Woman of the Year Melissa Soalt
2003 Woman of the Year Meredith Gold
1990 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Michael Bernardo
2004 Lifetime Achievement Award Michael DePasquale Sr.
2006 Competitor of the Year Michele Krasnoo
1997 Co-Competitor of the Year Mike Chaturantabut
2007 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year Mike Lee Kanarek
1998 Male Competitor of the Year Mike Pombeiro
1994 Instructor of the Year Mike Stone
1971 Karate Player Award Mike Stone
1982 Judo Competitor of the Year Mike Swain
1995 Judo Instructor of the Year Mike Swain
1998 Female Competitor of the Year Ming Liu
2003 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Mirko Filipovic
2004 Competitor of the Year Nia Abdallah
1992 Instructor of the Year Osamu Ozawa
1997 Weapons Instructor of the Year Pan Qing Fu
1974 Judo Player of the Year Pat Burris
1976 Judo Player of the Year Pat Burris
1995 Instructor of the Year Pat Johnson
1983 Judo Instructor of the Year Paul Maruyama
1971 Judo Player Award Paul Maruyama
1989 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Paulie Zink
2003 Man of the Year Peter Urban
2008 Instructor of the Year Peyton Quinn
1988 Co-Instructor of the Year Ralph Castro
1997 Full-Contact Competitor of the Year Randy Couture
1987 Co-Instructor of the Year Ray Dalke
1979 Karate Competitor of the Year Ray McCallum
1982 Instructor of the Year Remy Presas
1994 Weapons Expert of the Year Remy Presas
1992 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Richard Branden
1989 Co-Instructor of the Year Richard Bustillo
1979 Instructor of the Year Richard Chun
1973 Karate Sensei Award Richard Kim
1986 Man of the Year Richard Kim
1984 Judoka of the Year Robert Berland
1979 Black Belt Editor's Award Robert Trias
1989 Black Belt Honorary Award Robert Trias
1971 Karate Sensei Award Robert Yarnall
1982 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Roger Tung
2002 Instructor of the Year Ron Van Clief
1970 Karate Player Award Ronald Marchini
1986 Black Belt Honorary Award Ronald McNair
2008 Judoka of the Year Ronda Rousey
2006 Instructor of the Year Rorion Gracie
1981 Man of the Year Roy Kurban
1994 Competitor of the Year Royce Gracie
1971 Man of the Year S. Henry Cho
1969 Man of the Year Sam Allred
2008 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year Semmy Schilt
1990 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Seng Jeorng Au
1976 Judo Instructor of the Year Shag Okada
1995 Woman of the Year Shannon Lee
1970 Aikido Sensei Award Shinichi Suzuki
1992 Honorary Award Shogo Kuniba
1968 Kendo Sensei Award Shuji Mikami
2008 Honorary Award Sid Campbell
1985 Instructor of the Year Stephen K. Hayes
1982 Kumite Competitor of the Year Steve Anderson
1998 Instructor of the Year Steve DeMasco
1984 Instructor of the Year Steve Sanders
1980 Judo Competitor of the Year Steve Seck
2000 Male Competitor of the Year Steven Lopez
1988 Co-Instructor of the Year Steven Seagal
1987 Weapons Expert of the Year Tadashi Yamashita
1972 Judo Sensei Award Taizo Sone
1990 Weapons Instructor of the Year Takayuki Kubota
1990 Instructor of the Year Takayuki Mikami
1994 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Tat-Mau Wong
2006 Man of the Year Ted Wong
1992 Co-Woman of the Year Terry Poindexter
1982 Man of the Year Teruyuki Okazaki
1969 Karate Player Award Thomas LaPuppet
2001 NHB Co-Competitor of the Year Tito Ortiz
2002 Coach of the Year Tokey Hill
1975 Judo Player of the Year Tommy Martin
1997 Honorary Award Toshiro Mifune
1968 Karate Sensei Award Tsutomu Ohshima
1987 Man of the Year Tsutomu Ohshima
1979 Publisher's Award Tsutomu Ohshima
1990 Male Co-Competitor of the Year Tsuyoshi Ishigami
2001 Weapons Instructor of the Year W. Hock Hochheim
1969 Jiu-Jitsu Sensei Award Wally Jay
1990 Man of the Year Wally Jay
1983 Kung Fu Artist of the Year William Cheung
1988 Black Belt Honorary Award William Chow
1994 Man of the Year William Rodriguez
1975 Judo Instructor of the Year Willie Cahill
2000 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Willie Johnson
2003 Kung Fu Artist of the Year Yang Jwing-Ming
1972 Aikido Sensei Award Yoshimitsu Yamada
1982 Judo Instructor of the Year Yoshisada Yonezuka
1996 Instructor of the Year Yuki Koda
1969 Aikido Sensei Award Yukiso Yamamoto

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