Submission Arts Wrestling

24/09/2026

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of SAW.

To commemorate this milestone, SAW Japan has created a special anniversary T-shirt.

Throughout SAW's 40-year history, we have launched various initiatives and achieved so much.

Moving forward, we are planning numerous projects to further elevate and develop SAW.

These include regular tournaments, the expansion of the International Submission Arts Wrestling Federation, exchanges between SAW dojos, the resumption of international tournaments, and educational seminars.

Let’s continue to grow together!

SAW Daihyō Shihan
Toshiyuki Ito

18/09/2026

We've made an interview video of me.

Checkout the new Youtube video!!
↓↓↓
“Why You Must Look Back to Move Forward in Martial Arts” SAW Daihyō Shihan’s Interview

10/09/2026

"Beyond the Surface: Holistic Vision in Martial Arts"

I think everyone knows this, but in fighting, you obviously can't just look at your opponent's hands or feet.

If you focus only on their right hand because they're throwing a right punch, you won't be able to deal with their left.

If you focus only on their arms, you won't be able to deal with kicks—and there are also elbows, knees and shoulder strikes to worry about.

In an actual fight, there are headbutts too.

Or, if you focus only on striking, you won't be able to deal with takedowns.

This is, of course, the same in the ground fighting.

For example, In an actual fight, there's a lot of striking even in ground fighting, so if you only focus on grappling, you'll get beaten by strikes.

Also, in SAW, leg locks are often used, but if you only look at your opponent's legs when going for a leg lock, they'll get up, or you'll miss your chance to pass their guard.

Furthermore, if you only look at your opponent's legs during a leg lock battle, they'll counter and attack your legs as well.

Therefore, you must always focus on your opponent's entire body.

In the teachings of the old samurai, this is called “Enzan No Metsuke 遠山の目付け (Gazing at a distant mountain).”

See your opponent as a whole, just as you would gaze at an entire mountain in the distance.

And instead of focusing only on the visible, superficial aspects, we must train ourselves to see the invisible, essential aspects as well.

That's what the ancient samurai taught.

Applying this to MMA and grappling, it means not being fixated on the opponent's superficial movements, but comprehensively observing the overall situation, reading their next attack, feints, and true intentions, and reacting calmly.

However, this isn't something you think about; it's something you feel instantly.

It's difficult to master without extensive sparring practice and accumulating a lot of fight experience.

This lesson applies to everything, doesn't it?

We tend to believe only superficial information and lose sight of the truth.

Let's train to always see the whole picture comprehensively, avoid being fooled by fakes, see the essence, and deal with anything calmly.

07/09/2026

You guys all did great in last Saturday's “LOCKDOWN” Grappling Competition!!
Nick won the gold and Aaron won the bronze in their division.
Well done!!

04/09/2026

Practice blocking the opponent's punch followed by a “Kubi Nage 首投げ”.

31/08/2026

Geordie and Jess participated in a training session at the Japanese SAW Dojo, Tokyo Setagaya branch last night, and deepened their friendships with Japanese SAW members.
It was great to hear that they had a meaningful training session.

28/08/2026

Congratulations on your successful grading!!
Cody had a grading for the SAW Senior 6th Kyu last night, and successfully graded.
You've improved so much in the last few weeks.
Keep this momentum going and continue to work hard and evolve!

20/08/2026

Memories of Shihan A*o

"Sparring with Shihan A*o Part 2”

Another thing that left a lasting impression on me during sparring with Shihan A*o was the sheer variety of his techniques.

Of course, his ground techniques were exceptional, just as I wrote in my last blog, but his throws and takedowns were also remarkable.

He utilised his large physique to his advantage, employing techniques typically favoured by larger wrestlers, such as the Osoto Gari, Hane Goshi, and Greco-Roman wrestling-style takedowns.

Furthermore, Shihan A*o possessed exceptional leg and hip strength and flexibility, making him adept at techniques usually favoured by smaller wrestlers, such as the Seoi Nage (shoulder throw).

His Seoi Nage was unique; he would squat down to get below my waist, and instead of just dropping his upper body down to throw, he would squat right back up, lift me onto his shoulders completely, and slam me onto the mat.

Being thrown like that from his height felt like falling from the second floor, and I nearly fainted several times.

It was truly a devastating, one-hit knockout throw.

Shihan A*o always emphasised the importance of throwing techniques to us students, saying:

"The tatami mats we practice on are like boxing gloves in boxing; they are protective gear that shields both you and your opponent.
That's why we can practice throws and have competitions relatively safely.
However, in a real fight, the ground is almost always concrete, so a powerful throw can be fatal. SAW is a martial art, so throwing techniques are considered as important as, or even more important than, ground techniques."

As the name 'Submission Arts Wrestling' suggests, people tend to think that we just focus on submission techniques, but we have always spent as much time practicing throwing and takedown techniques as we did on the ground, or even more time.

13/08/2026

Checkout the new Youtube video!!
↓↓↓
“SAW Powerful Double Leg Takedown”
https://youtu.be/X_gW5oax4tY

A double-leg takedown is a very powerful and effective takedown technique in grappling matches, MMA fight, and even in street self defence situations.

Because it's such a powerful technique, it can be a one-hit knockout in a real fight and is very dangerous.

A double-leg takedown is a very powerful and effective takedown tec...

06/08/2026

A transitional technique when you attempt an arm drag from the guard and your opponent pulls the arm back.