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Yoshiji Soeno
Born
September 9th 1947 in Tokorozawa-Shi, Saitama, Japan. From an early age
Yoshiji Soeno had a keen interest in martial arts especially Judo and
Kendo. To strengthen his skills he joined the Oyama Dojo (now known as
Kyokushin Kaiken).
When attending Johsai University Kancho Soeno founded his own dojo
training in karate and kick-boxing. After entering his debut tournament
he was considered the favourite and went on to win the First All Japan
Karatedo Championship. He was named the ‘Tiger of Johsai’ or ‘Brave
Tiger of Kyokushin’. Soeno would train in many forms of martial
arts, seeking out different styles in as many different countries
including Muay Thai in Bangkok and America. Also whilst at the Oyama
Dojo he won the World Open Kyokushin Knockdown Championship.
At the end of his time at Johsai University he opened the Soeno Dojo and
Soeno Gym giving lessons in both Karate and Kick-boxing.
Shidokan as we know it today was founded in 1981 as the World Karatedo
Association Shidokan, Japan Fighting Association New Fighting Shidokan.
Respecting Japanese Bushido spirits, Soeno incorporates all the good
parts from all his experiences with different styles culminating in a
complete and progressive Martial art style. Ever changing his ideas and
teaching, Kancho Yoshiji Soeno has Dojos in all corners of the world.
Travelling constantly to visit his Branch chiefs, he keeps the style
evolving and alive. Shidokan is a globally recognised style with a
living Master.
After
Mas Oyama, Soeno was the only other Karateka mad enough to launch a solo
challenge on the strongest fighters in Thailand. Surprisingly, he
inspired the creation of the famous Street Fighter game character Ryu
two decades later.
Many people have heard of the legend of how Kyokushin Karate Founder
Mas Oyama challenged and defeated the invincible Muaythai fighter
"Black Cobra" in 1954 at world famous Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok for
the very first time. It was said that he brought Black Cobra down with
an elbow strike, followed by an aerial triple kick; but he admitted it
was a very close fight. There are, strangely, no existing historical
reports in Thailand to verify this. But that does not imply that the
fight did not took place. It may be that there was a news cover-up due
to national pride. In 1974, soon after the 5th All Japan Open,
Yoshiji Soeno, the "Tiger of Kyokushin" decided to follow in
the footsteps of Mas Oyama. With Sosai Oyama's blessing, he went on a
solo mission to Thailand to re-determine which is the ultimate striking
art on Earth - Kyokushin Karate or Muaythai?
The following accounts are legend that have inspired many a 'Manga'
magazine and cartoon character based on these kyokushin tales and
exploits. Upon arriving in Bangkok, Soeno went immediately to the
Rachdamnern Stadium, and approached its Orgainizer, "Hasat"
asking to fight. Hasat was unconvinced of Soeno's prowess, but Soeno
proved it to him by a simple "test" involving an available Thai
fighter who was there at the time. Hasat then asked Soeno to head to
Chiang Mai, to make a name for himself in Northern Thailand before
coming back to Bangkok again to fight.
And so Soeno flew to Chiang Mai and the Organizer there, "Osman",
who already knew in advance he was coming, put him up to fight on that
very night. Soeno ran into difficulty in the very first round, getting
knocked down by a surprise flying knee kick (rebounding from the ropes)
from his Thai opponent. In the second round he fought back, and using
the very same tactics, managed to KO his opponent with a spinning kick
to the head. After that match the jealous Organizer set him up, tricking
him into reducing his weight to lightweight, then putting up a
middleweight fighter to fight him. Soeno was much affected physically &
as a result almost got killed in the subsequent match. It was his
mastery of Judo (threw his opponent out of the Ring) and superhuman
belief in Kyokushin Karate that saved his life and the match. In a
dramatic reversal, when his opponent grabbed his leg & was bout to
deliver a coupe de grace, he used a "Sutemi Waza" (sacrifice
technique), completely stunning the Thai with an aerial roundhouse kick
to the neck from that position.
That bout finally caught the attention of "Reiba", whom they call the "Dark Lord of Muaythai". Perhaps he was as strong as "Black Cobra" was, if not more so. Reiba's prowess struck fear deep into Soeno's heart. He too knew the aerial triple kick, which he first learned when he saw Oyama's fight with the Black Cobra 20 years ago. Osman wasted no time in arranging a fight between Soeno & Reiba's disciple "Mongkut Kalop", the "Dark Warrior". Preluded by a pompous press conference, this fight began with the high anticipation of all Muaythai fans in Chiang Mai. Soeno immedaitely felt the deadly force of Mongkut's kicks in the first round. But to amazement & shock of everyone present, he suddenly unleashed a jumping attack again using the ropes, knocking out the Thai with a powerful strike to the head in that very round. Reiba, shocked as he was, immediately gathered himself and asked Soeno to increase his weight to middleweight - he would take him on personally! However a gangster, Reiba's brother "Daya", intervened & said he would slaughter Soeno in his brother's place. So it was. This time, with live coverage on national TV, this fight would be seen by all of Thailand. Halfway through his "Wai Kru" dance, the wild Daya suddenly attacked Soeno, even before the starting bell was rung! He had no regard for rules & was like an animal, fighting using the "Pahuyuth" system that hit witth every physical weapon available. It was bloody & brutal, as both fighters fought with all the techniques & strength that they had. Finally in the fourth round, when both of them were almost exhausted, Soeno leapt into the air and struck Daya with an elbow drop to the top of his skull - sending him flat on to the canvas unconscious instantly.
Reiba, already fuming by now, knew that only he himself could take this
Karateka. But it was a fight that never was. Four days before the
destined battle, Reiba was shot dead by a Thai gangster who was
part of a mob to ambush him, controlled by the gambling syndicates.
Ironically, not even the gangsters with weapons could take Reiba; he was
shot by one of them whom he spared. In a grand funeral, the mighty
"Dark Lord of Muaythai" disappeared forever into the darkness. Soeno
returned to Bangkok soon after, fighting and winning the top fighters in
Lumpinee, but in those victories he felt no joy; the death of Reiba had
left an eternal void in his heart of what might have been.
At the end of his time at Johsai University he opened the Soeno Dojo and
Soeno Gym giving lessons in both Karate and Kick-boxing.
Shidokan as we know it today was founded in 1981 as the World Karatedo
Association Shidokan, Japan Fighting Association New Fighting Shidokan.
Respecting Japanese Bushido spirits, Soeno incorporates all the good
parts from all his experiences with different styles culminating in a
complete and progressive Martial art style. Regularly competing in
Knockdown, K-1 and MMA events. Kancho Yoshiji Soeno has schools in all
corners of the world. Travelling constantly to visit his Branch chiefs.
Shidokan is a globally recognised style derived from the Kyokushin
school of Martial Arts.