Korean Mixed Martial Arts Association MMA History of our Founder Kim Il

 Korean Mixed Martial Arts MMA and the man who started it all

MMA legend, Kim Il, Korea's original Mixed Martial Artist passes away at the age of 79. Korean Mixed Martial Arts Association MMA President, Kim Il was one of the top Pro-Wrestlers in the world from the 1950s to 1970s. He held over 30 championship titles during his career. Born in 1928 in the tiny town of ChungNam, Korea, the son of a farmer, Kim Il grew up to become a hero to the Korean people when he defeated a Japanese wrestler named Antonio Inoki in 1958 to become the World Heavy Weight Wresting Champion. In the 1960s and 1970s he was known as "The Tiger" Kim Il because of his fierce fighting spirit. In Japan he was nick named "The Bear" because of his great physical strength and his "BakJiGi" Head butting technique.

He was so popular that there were comic books written about him. He appeared on many TV and Radio shows and was followed by children and fans wherever he would go. In 1956 when Kim Il arrived in Japan he had a lot of trouble dealing with the hatred of the Japanese people toward Koreans and would often end up in street fights. He gained a reputation as a tough fighter and would often fight for money in "pick up" fights. He was jailed after nearly killing a Japanese Karate fighter in one of these fights. Kim Sin-Nak, known as Rikidozan posted bail to get the Korean fighter Kim Il out of jail. Kim Il then moved to the Yokdosan Dojang training center to begin training with Rikidozan.

Just one year later he would be given an opportunity to fight the World Heavy Weight Wrestling Champion, Antonio Inoki. He had one of the most successful wrestling careers in history having won over 3,000 matches, fighting in 23 countries around the world.

February 8th 2006, the two men met for the first time in nearly 41 years to shake hands and put their feud behind them. Chon Dok Kyu was appointed to become president of the KPWA because of Kim Il's declining health. Whang Pyo Lee became president of the Korean Mixed Martial Arts Association MMA.

On October 26th 2006, in his home surrounded by friends, Korea's original mixed martial arts master passed away, after having had a heart attack brought on by kidney failure, leaving a legacy that will be respected by many generations to come.

© copyright 2006 Korean Mixed Martial Arts Association MMA

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