- Professor J Holt
Founder: 9th Dan
Koan
Hanshi -Professor Holt-9th Dan
JOHN ALEXANDER HOLT, FOUNDER DIRECTOR T.M.A.O
Professor Holt was born in the town of Stirling, Scotland in 1943 and began an early interest in Judo whilst still at school. At the age of twelve he attended local classes at Padiham and Accrington Judo clubs, saw Karate demonstrated in France and attended courses under H.D. Plee. In 1959 he became associated with a Mr. E. Taylor, 2nd Dan Judo, 2nd Dan ju-jitsu, and a Mr. Nino-Conneglo, 1st Dan Judo. Then started a long dedicated martial arts career, studied under most of the top Sensei.
He attended courses and lectures with Mr. T. Suzuki, Mr. Enoeda, Mr. Kanazawa, Mr. Lajos-Jacab, and in 1963 met up with two Americans of the elite Green Berets then serving in Vietnam - Mr. M. Cullen 3rd Dan, and Mr. K. Michael 2nd Dan Kempo Karate U.S.A. Martial Arts Honours were awarded him in recognition of his work and interest spread to the international field. He became associated with Mr. Chung-Yung-Wung (Korea) studying Tae-Wondo and in 1966-67 began formulating the Tegatani system. He then became associated with the International Budo Association which he left in 1972-1973 and furthered his knowledge of martial arts by a serious study of Chinese systems, Aikido systems, Iai-Jutsu, Ken-Jutsu.
In 1974 he became a member of the British ju-jitsu association and the World ju-jitsu federation and organised with Prof. J. Blundell, then 7th Dan, the 1st Ju-Jitsu Festival at Skipton. In 1975 he re-organised is Tegatani system and revoked the term 'Karate' from the system, which is now based on the philosophy of man's struggle with himself (the individual).
In 1976 he became a member of the British Ju-Jitsu Control Commission and an active person within the B.J.J.A. and member of Martial Arts Commission.
In 1977 he was graded by Prof. R. Sacharnoski 10th Dan Soke of W.J.J.F. and Prof. R. Clarke 8th Dan B.J.J.A., to Black-Belt 5th Dan. It was noted that Mr. Jacab expressed a very good opinion about Tegatani K.O.A. No. 65. He has had many enquiries from all parts of the world - even Japan itself - about his Tegatani system, which confirms that he has made his mark down the martial art avenues.
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