Om Shooto

Many people around the world recognize Sayama as the original Tiger-Mask from Japanese Pro-Wrestling fame. Fans lauded him for his dynamic ring performances and for utilizing his highly developed martial arts skills in the ring. In time, Sayama began to envision a sport that would combine the excitement and showmanship of live competition, with the integrity and sportsmanship of martial arts. That vision soon came to fruition when it manifested itself in 1986 as the first ever amateur SHOOTO competitionthen in 1989 as professional competition. The combination of the Japanese characters “shu” and “to” it means “Learn Combat” and is spelled “SHOOTO” for the sake of translation.

SHOOTO consists of two or three 5-minute rounds, which only provides a short amount of time for each bout. This promoters fast-paced action and clean execution of techniques. The number of rounds depends upon the skill level of the SHOOTers involved. Expert SHOOTers are categorized as Class-A (3 rounds) while less skilled competitors are Class-B (2 rounds). Amateur events still go on today and they are regarded as Class-C. There are 10 weight classes ranging from “114 lbs and under” to “242 lbs and over.” SHOOTers may punch, kick, use knee strikes, perform throws, sweeps, takedowns, grappling, joint locks and choke holds. Some bouts are fast and furious, lasting just moments – ending with a flurry of strikes or with a slick submission hold – while other bouts may be more strategic and methodical ending when a competitor out maneuvers his opponent.

There can be a KO as in boxing (where a 10-count is applied), or a choke-hold/joint-lock that forces a competitor to “TAP-OUT” (literally tapping his hand on the mat several times - the equivalent of saying “uncle”). Of course, there are a number of prohibited techniques, which serves to reduce the potential for serious injury, as well as, to promote professionalism and sportsmanship. Illegal maneuvers include strikes to the groin, strikes to the throat or spine, head butting, elbow and forearm strikes, eye gouges, hair-pulling, pressure point attacks, twisting the fingers or toes, biting, and kicking or kneeing the head of an opponent who is in a downed position.

In 1996 the SHOOTO Association and the International SHOOTO Commission were formed. The Association is the central organization that unites promoters, dojos, SHOOTers and sponsoring groups. It provides the professional sport of SHOOTO with its overall structure. The International SHOOTO Commission is the neutral sanctioning body that resides as the regulatory authority. Its purpose is to oversee events and verify that they are conducted in a professional manner with adherence to all of SHOOTO's rules and regulations.

In 1999, Hawaiian promoter T.J. Thompson produced the first SHOOTO event outside of Japan, in his Full-Contact Martial Arts event titled Superbrawl. Then late in the year 2000, professional SHOOTO finally made its presence known on the U.S. mainland in the promotion called HOOKnSHOOT. With its continued growth in Japan and expansion around the world, SHOOTO has developed quite a following in the US . This expansion has continued with more Hawaiian and mainland promoters are bringing SHOOTO to arenas everywhere, including Las Vegas , Nevada (approved by the NV Athletic Commission). SHOOTO also takes place in a number of European countries, Brazil , Australia and Canada . This is one of SHOOTO's most distinctive features… the fact that it is a worldwide network of promotions where rules, regulations, records, rankings and Champions are universal. Competitors can move about freely to participate in a variety of venues where there is consistency in the format.

Today SHOOTO continues to establish itself as a force in both the martial arts and sporting worlds. More and more sports companies are entering into negotiations with the SHOOTO Association with the intent of solidifying SHOOTO's place in the American and World sports cultures.

Written by: Richard Santoro