In the early days of S.A.W in the 1980s, Shihan Aso was actively developing a grappling style useful for comprehensive combat. He recognised the importance of close-combat striking with clinching (especially elbows and knees) and defence & counter-takedowns against them. He then found that Muay Thai clinching techniques are effective, […]
Submission Arts Wrestling
31 posts
“If you get too attached to each and every move, you won’t be able to adapt to change and you won’t achieve anything, so embrace change, use your mind to be flexible, and deal with each thing with all your might.” There is a famous story in which the monk […]
Continuing from the previous video, I’m demonstrating how to get into techniques such as the Half Nelson to Cradle Choke, Leg Locks, and Crooked Head Scissors from the top quarter position.
“My First Visit Home to Japan” When I arrived in Australia and was working hard toward my goals, one of my students asked me, “Aren’t you going back to Japan for a holiday?” At the time, I was so focused on my goal of establishing a S.A.W Australian branch and […]
This video is a continuation of the previous one, “Submission Arts Wrestling Top Quarter Position Basic Strategy Part 1 (Back Mount and Back Position)” and briefly explains “Chain Techniques” which are the basic attacking techniques from the “Top Quarter Position (Top Turtle Position)” that change depending on the opponent’s resistance. […]
We held a seminar after the S.A.W competition last month. This is a video showing just some parts of that seminar. SAW places emphasis on takedowns and throws, so in this seminar we practiced smooth transitions from takedowns to ground techniques and transitions to leg locks, heel hook variations. This […]
Shihan Aso promoted me from 8th Dan to 9th Dan, the founder’s rank. Here is the official announcement from Shihan Aso. “I am promoting S.A.W Daihyo Shihan Toshiyuki Ito 8th Dan to 9th Dan as the founder’s rank successor. This is because I recognise his achievements so far, his sincere […]
“The first S.A.W tournament in Australia” About two years after I came to Australia and established the S.A.W Australian branch, my students were finally at a level where they could compete, so I wanted them to compete, but at the time, the only grappling tournaments were judo, and there were […]
The 2025 S.A.W Competition was held on June 7th. There weren’t as many competitors as last year, but there were some good takedowns and good leg locks. Checkout the video!!
“Dealing with the frustration of not being able to speak English” To get more students, I did demonstrations of judo and S.A.W with Ron in many different places. If there was a martial arts event in Brisbane, we did it at the competition venue. Sometimes at a university, and sometimes […]