Jyoji "Geo" Omori
Born1898
Tokyo, Japan
Died2 March 1938(1938-03-02) (aged 39–40)
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Food poisoning
StyleBrazilian jiu-jitsu, judo
Teacher(s)Tokugoro Ito
Notable studentsLuiz França[1]

Jyoji Omori (大森 城司, Omori Jyoji, 1898 – 2 March 1938) or Geo Omori as he became known in Brazil, was a Japanese-born Brazilian martial artist who is credited for being one of the creators of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.[2]

Early life and education

Born in Tokyo, Omori joined the Kodokan school in 1907 at age 9 and gained his black belt in 1915 at age 17. He learned under Tokugoro Ito and was a training partner of the famed Sanpo Toku.[3]

Immigration and career

After moving to Brazil in 1925, he taught Jiu Jitsu and Judo in Rio de Janeiro, and in 1931 he opened a school in São Paulo in Edificio Martinelli, the first skyscraper in Brazil.[4] Omori is considered instrumental in the foundation of Brazilian jiu-jitsu by establishing the first Jujitsu school in São Paulo. He would later instruct another key Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu founder Luiz França.[5] His other students included Carlos Pereira.[2]

Fighting career

Omori was one of the first prominent mixed martial arts competitors of his era.[6] He helped to initiate the Vale Tudo trend of the 1920s and 1930s in Brazil.[5] Geo had an extensive fight history engaging fighters of various styles including capoeira, boxing, and wrestling.[5] A 1928 issue of The New York Times highlighted one of his fights against a "negro" capoeira fighter, in which Geo Omori won.[5] He fought many members of the Gracie family including George Gracie and Carlos Gracie.[5] His feud with Carlos Gracie is well documented.[7][8]

Death

His premature death in 1938 was attributed to food poisoning.[9]

References

  1. ↑ BJJ Heroes. "Luiz Franca - BJJ Heroes: the jiu jitsu encyclopedia". BJJ Heroes: the jiu jitsu encyclopedia.
  2. 1 2 Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, Volume 2 edited by Thomas A. Green, Joseph R. Svinth
  3. ↑ Serrano, Marcial (2010-02-14). O Livro Proibido Do Jiu Jitsu (in Portuguese). Clube de Autores.
  4. ↑ "History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu". aloisiosilvabjj.com.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "MMA HALL OF FAME Nominee » Geo Omori". mmahalloffame.com.
  6. ↑ "Chapter 6. O Jiu-Jitsu Como Profissão". global-training-report.com.
  7. ↑ "Bloody Elbow Book Review: Catch Wrestling Round Two by Mark Hewitt". Bloody Elbow. 6 March 2010.
  8. ↑ "GÉO OMORI - "O Guardião Samurai", por Marcial Serrano - agBook - O seu livro Publicado 100% gratuito e sob demanda". agbook.com.br. Retrieved 2019-02-16.
  9. ↑ Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, Volume 2, edited by Thomas A. Green, Joseph R. Svinth, p. 33.
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