Japanese Combatives

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY GRAND MASTER ANDREW HENNESSY

Today, the International Combat Organisation comes together to celebrate a very special milestone — the 60th Birthday of our World President, Founder and Grand Master, Andrew Hennessy.

For more than four decades, Andy has dedicated a huge part of his life to martial arts.

From a fierce competitor and multiple champion, through to instructor, coach, mentor and ultimately one of the most respected leaders within our sport, his journey has been one built on determination, passion and an unwavering belief in martial arts and the people within it.

His competitive years helped shape the leader he would later become. Andy understood what it meant to step onto the mats and into the ring, to train, sacrifice, compete and win — but also what it meant to pass that experience and knowledge on to the next generation.

In 2009, Andrew Hennessy founded the International Combat Organisation, with a vision of bringing martial artists from different disciplines and backgrounds together and creating genuine opportunities for fighters, coaches, instructors and officials around the world.

What began as a vision has grown into an international martial arts family now represented across more than 55 countries worldwide.

But perhaps Andy's greatest legacy isn't measured by the number of countries, championships, titles or events.

It's measured by people.

The fighters who were given an opportunity.

The coaches who were trusted to lead.

The officials who were encouraged to develop.

The countries and organisations that were welcomed into the ICO family.

And the thousands of martial artists whose journeys have been influenced by what he created.

There are people within our sport today who first trained under Andy almost 40 years ago and who have gone on to become champions, coaches, instructors and Masters in their own right.

That is a legacy very few people ever achieve.

Today, Andy continues to lead the International Combat Organisation as its World President and Founder and is recognised as an 8th Dan Grand Master.

However, those of us fortunate enough to know the man behind the title know there is much more to Andrew Hennessy than Grand Master, Champion or World President.

He is someone with an enormous heart.

Someone who genuinely cares about people.

Someone who will do anything he can to help others, often without expecting anything in return.

And someone whose love and passion for martial arts remains as strong today as ever.

So today, from everyone within the International Combat Organisation — our World Executive, National Presidents, Directors, coaches, officials, fighters, families and friends across more than 55 countries around the world — we simply want to say:

Thank you, Sir.

Thank you for your leadership.

Thank you for your friendship.

Thank you for the opportunities you have created.

Thank you for believing in people.

And most importantly, thank you for creating something that so many of us are incredibly proud to call our ICO family.

🥋 43+ YEARS IN MARTIAL ARTS
🏆 FIERCE COMPETITOR & MULTIPLE CHAMPION
🌍 FOUNDER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMBAT ORGANISATION
🌎 MORE THAN 55 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE
🏆 ICO WORLD PRESIDENT
🥋 8TH DAN GRAND MASTER
❤️ MENTOR • LEADER • TEACHER • FRIEND

Happy 60th Birthday, Grand Master Andrew Hennessy.

We hope you enjoy this very special day surrounded by your beautiful family and those closest to you.

You have spent decades creating opportunities, memories and friendships for others across the martial arts world.

Today is about you, Sir.

From your entire ICO family across the world...

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY ANDY! 🎂🌍🥋❤️

With our greatest respect, gratitude and friendship.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMBAT ORGANISATION
The Home of Combat Martial Arts

“OSU” is more than just a word shouted inside a karate dojo. It represents an attitude—a mindset built through discipline, humility, perseverance, and respect.

In Kyokushin Karate, “Osu” can be heard everywhere: when entering the dojo, greeting instructors and training partners, receiving instruction, practicing techniques, and acknowledging a strong technique from an opponent. Over time, the word becomes part of the rhythm of training and a reminder of what martial arts are truly about.

For many practitioners, “Osu” carries the spirit of enduring hardship without complaining. It means showing up when training is difficult, continuing when the body is tired, and remaining focused when progress feels slow. The goal is not simply to become stronger physically, but to develop a stronger character.

An experienced karate master understands that true strength does not need to be displayed through arrogance. The deepest form of strength can be quiet: patience, self-control, humility, and the ability to respect others even after a hard fight.

When a student bows before entering the dojo and says “Osu,” it is a reminder that the training space deserves respect. The instructor deserves respect. Training partners deserve respect. Most importantly, the student must learn to respect the journey itself.

Hard training teaches lessons that cannot always be learned from books. Sweat teaches commitment. Failure teaches humility. Repetition teaches patience. Difficult opponents teach courage. And every setback provides another opportunity to improve.

“Osu” can also remind us to appreciate our training partners. The person standing across from you is not merely an opponent. They are helping you discover weaknesses, sharpen your technique, build your confidence, and become better than you were yesterday.

That is why martial arts should never be measured only by trophies, belts, victories, or physical power. The deeper achievement is the person you become through years of disciplined practice.

A white belt and a black belt may look different, but both begin with the same willingness to learn. The true martial artist never stops being a student.

So the next time you hear “OSU,” remember that it carries a message far greater than a simple greeting.

Respect your dojo.
Respect your teacher.
Respect your opponent.
Respect your journey.
Respect yourself.

Train hard. Stay humble. Never stop learning.

OSU!

“Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are not fundamentally different martial arts. They are different sporting expressions of the same grappling lineage. Judo’s rules selected for throwing and rapid transitions; BJJ’s rules selected for prolonged groundwork and submission development. The sports diverged more than the underlying art did.”

make an ig graphic stating this. and make it by me
Dr. Rhadi Ferguson
2004 Olympian
Shichidan - Judo
5th Degree Black Belt - BJJ

PRIVATE 1-2-1 SHOOT BOXING TRAINING

Train privately in authentic Japanese Shoot Boxing at the SSJ Shoot Boxing Dojo in Worcestershire.

I am Head Coach Lee, UK Representative for Shoot Boxing and a WKA 9th Dan Black Belt, offering specialist 1-2-1 training by appointment.

Training can include striking, clinch work, standing throws, standing submissions, movement, defence, combinations and Fighter IQ, tailored to your individual experience and objectives.

Suitable for complete beginners, martial artists and experienced fighters who want focused personal instruction.

STRIKE | CATCH | SHOOT

Private training by appointment at the SSJ Shoot Boxing Dojo, Worcestershire.

07894 500 121
https://shootboxing.uk

SHOOT BOXING (Shootboxing) founded by Caesar Takeshi in Japan in 1985.

Shoot Boxing UK is the direct and official representative of Caesar Takeshi and the Japanese Shoot Boxing Association.

Shoot Boxing UK is the first official Shoot Boxing representative in the United Kingdom.

Shoot Boxing UK will be opening its doors to gym/dojo/coach affiliation from October 2026 upon the return from Japan.

OFFICIAL DOJO/CLUB AFFILIATION

Become part of the official home of Shoot Boxing in the United Kingdom.

Shoot Boxing UK is the officially recognised representative of the Shoot Boxing Association in Japan, providing UK clubs with a direct and authentic link to the birthplace of Shoot Boxing.

Official affiliation gives your club access to recognised grading pathways, instructor support, future seminars, official events, and ongoing collaboration with the Japanese headquarters as we continue to develop Shoot Boxing across the UK and Europe.

If your club shares our values of integrity, professionalism and respect, we invite you to join us.

Find out more at:
https://shootboxing.uk

Or email us directly: [email protected]