1. Bruce Lee. A man who embodied everything a martial artist should be and one who would reach the top of almost anyone’s list thanks to his awesome physique, on-screen presence and genius abilities in the martial arts, all of which came together to capture people’s imagination and catapult the man himself into enduring iconic status. Who can forget that amazing physique and those awesome moves? A true legend.
2. Chuck Norris. Laugh if you like. He wasn’t always “Walker: Texas Ranger” you know. Chuck Norris was a champion kickboxer with excellent fighting abilities before he ever got into acting. He was also a big inspiration to me when I was growing up. I used to really love his films because he always kicked ass in them.
3. Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Bill Wallace is another champion American kickboxer who later made it into acting, though not with the same success as his friend Chuck Norris. As someone who loves to kick, Superfoot was a real inspiration to me thanks to his lighting fast side kicks and hook kicks. He taught me the enormous benefits of kicking of the front leg. Another legend.
4. Geoff Thompson. Another legend in his lifetime, Geoff Thompson dominated the martial arts scene in the nineties with his no nonsense approach to street self defense that he gained from many years of working the door as a bouncer. Geoff is also a successful writer and the author of many books on martial arts and his own take on personal development. A real inspiration to me and many others.
5. Morio Higoanna. Acknowledged master in Okinawan Goju Ryu and perhaps on of the most dedicated martial artists on the planet. I still practice some of the Goju Ryu katas to this day and this was the man I looked to for instruction. A great martial artist.
6. Terry O’Neill. Another true inspiration to me when I was growing up. Terry is responsible for publishing Fighting Arts Magazine, the best martial arts magazine that ever existed, bar none. I re-read old copies to this day and I still gain from them. Of course Terry is a respected martial artist in his own right, famous for his powerful physique and early competition performances.
7. Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido master and the first real martial artist to fully develop the mental and spiritual aspects of the art, and it is for this reason that O’Sensie makes it on this list. Famous for his seemingly supernatural abilities to control opponents using Ki energy and the embodiment of “the art of fighting without fighting”.
8. Sensei Mike Johnson. One of my long time instructors and the man who graded me to black belt. Mike is a 7th Dan in Ju Jitsu and holds a Dan grade in Judo as well. He is renowned for his superior technique and his splendid teaching abilities. Another legend in my eyes.
9. Miyamoto Musashi. Yes, the Japanese samurai who wrote “The Book of Five Rings” way back in 1645. Not only a fearsome warrior but a genius thinker and philosopher as well. Every martial artist should read his work.
10. Sensei Desmond Martin. I couldn’t compile a list of my martial arts heroes without mentioning my father, a 7th Dan in Kempo Ju Jitsu and inspiration to all those he trains with. A true martial arts hero in my eyes.
