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FROM LEE TO LI
An A—Z Guide of Martial Arts Heroes
Ben Stevens
Dedicated to the memory of Nakamura Sensei, my instructor and friend
Table of Contents
Few subjects are as prone to myth, exaggeration and general controversy as the martial arts. In From Lee to Li, however, I have set out to record, as accurately as is possible, some of those many men and women who have, throughout history, ‘served’ the martial arts in a way that is out of the ordinary.
Some (Jigoro Kano, Chang San-Feng) evolved a new style. Others developed an existing form, or established a career—for example, in the film industry (Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Damme)—through their martial skills. Then there are those who, like Bruce Lee and Carlos Gracie, caused what was nothing short of a martial arts’ revolution.
From China to Croatia, Brazil to Great Britain—and from before the birth of Christ right up to the present day—From Lee to Li contains well over 100 accounts of those who have helped shape the fascinating world of martial arts.
Ben Stevens began practising judō aged seven, and since then has studied various martial arts but particularly judō, jujutsu and karate. He would like to extend special thanks to Salah Alkawari for his detailed comments and advice concerning this book.
ADAMS, NEIL
Born in 1958, and having started judō aged seven, Neil Adams MBE has the distinction of being Britain’s first male World Judō Champion (receiving a gold medal in 1981), as well as receiving silver medals at the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games. His autobiography, A Life in Judo, demonstrates his fiery will to win, and hatred of losing.
Initially known for his powerful throws—particularly tai-otoshi or ‘body drop’—his defeat to a French opponent, when aged twenty, made him focus intensively on newaza, or grappling. Soon, his newaza techniques were recognised as being some of the finest in professional judō—and it was his trademark arm locks in particular that were feared by those who had to face him. (According to journalist and judō practitioner, Mark Law, in his definitive book The Pyjama Game: A Journey into Judo, any opponent of Adam’s who found himself grappling with him, would ‘…soon hear their coaches at the matside screaming warnings at them to get on their feet’.) Adams kept detailed logs concerning both his own and his opponents’ performances, and was pushed to the very limits of physical endurance by such trainers as Brian Jacks.
For a time the darling of the British media (due partly to his on-off relationship with Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies), Neil Adams now runs a Corporate Health Programme with his Canadian-born wife, Niki, who is herself a judō Olympian. (The pair met while they were both commentating at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.) At the time of writing, Adams is a seventh dan judoka (judō practitioner).
AKIYAMA,
