Jim Arvanitis
Jim Arvanitis |
Among the elite pioneers of mixed martial arts, Arvanitis cross-trained in a number of different styles before it was an accepted practice. Opposing the theory that martial arts originated in Asia, Arvanitis began an odyssey to discover the combat roots of his ancestors before he was 20 years old. From the ancient pankration, he carefully analyzed the descriptions of Greece’s early writers and the paintings and sculptures of its most influential artists. These sources became his “blueprint” in resurrecting pankration into a modern form. It was Arvanitis alone who would introduce it to mainstream martial arts as early as 1970 and popularize it throughout the world in the years that followed. Arvanitis has received myriad awards and has been honored by numerous organizations. In 2001, he was nominated by his home state of New Hampshire as its “Athlete of the Century,” and in 2006, he was given “Living Legend” status by his fellow grandmasters in the World Head of Family Sokeship Council. In addition to his contributions to the martial arts world, he is also a former boxing and wrestling champion, and a multiple world record holder for thumb push-ups. Arvanitis opened the first pankration palaistra (school) in 1972 and has also conducted seminars in many parts of the world. His students include boxers, wrestlers, martial artists from various styles, professional bodyguards and stuntmen, law-enforcement personnel and military units. Arvanitis collaborated with Black Belt books on The First Mixed Martial Art: Pankration From Myths to Modern Times. Arvanitis explores pankration’s ancient Greek roots, as well as its modern combat and mixed-martial applications. For more information about Arvanitis, visit jimarvanitis.com. Click here for more profiles! 
The Ground GameJim Arvanitis Discusses His Book, The First Mixed Martial Art: Pankration From Myths to Modern Times |
