TAISHO GRANDMASTER IRVING SOTO

A martial arts Grandmaster with the Directorate of Law Enforcement was inducted into the World Professional Arts Organization’s 2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011

 

Hall of Fame during a ceremony at New York's Madison Square Garden Jan. 7.Officer Irving Soto, a Grandmaster 10th degree black belt, has been studying the martial arts for 55 years. He is a world champion kick boxer and grappler  as well as a champion in Kumite, a form of extreme Japanese fighting.In addition to his regular duties as an federal police officer, Soto has provided self-defense instruction to

students in the APG Police Academy, and he currently conducts Jujitsu classes for Morale, Welfare and Recreation 6 p.m. on Tuesday nights at Russell Gym."He's done so much for this program, it's good to see him getting some recognition," said Charles Heinsohn, MWR program specialist.Heinsohn said that Soto's class is popular among the installations' Soldiers, Airmen and Marines, and that it numbered 70 students before the Exodus leave in December."Everyone who starts sticks with it," Heinsohn said,noting that Soto receives no compensation for his time."He gives so much of himself for this program.We are fortunate to be able to offer training by a true Grandmaster," Heinsohn said.Soto said his motivation is his love and compassion for youths and their future."As a role model, you have to be able to set the example for children and even adults to look up to," Soto said. "I strive to be that example."

The students who attend his Tuesday evening sessions agreed that they are growing as they learn.Shaundra Scruggs, a contractor with the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, said that she enrolled in the class to learn self-defense."I like it a lot, it's fast paced, but easy to pick up,"Scruggs said.Sean Nelson, an Army contractor with Nelson Vending, takes the class with his son, Cameron, 15."We saw the [MWR] flyer [advertising the class]and thought it would be a good way to spend quality time together," Nelson said."I've always been a disciplined person, but this has a way of providing even more," he said. Nelson's son, Cameron, an Edgewood High School sophomore, added that the self-control principles Soto teaches are helpful in daily life."His teachings stay with you," he said. "You can take [them] and apply[them] to situations when you have to be ready to cope. "It's always in the back of your mind, ready for when you need it."

"The best part of the program is that it's an actual opportunity to test yourself,"added Arthur Belden, a CHPPM civilian."I've surprised myself with what I've learned," he added. "Now I do it for the enjoyment."APG police officer inducted into Martial Arts Hall of Fame Story and photos by Yvonne Johnson APG News With all of his accomplishments, Soto said he continues to strive to achieve more. As a teacher and innovator of the martial arts he has helped many find direction and achieve personal success and happiness through hard work and dedication.Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Soto began early instruction in the martial arts learning Jujitsu as a young child studying different styles simultaneously. At age 14, he visited Japan where he became a Kata Champion in  fighting and weaponry. By age 16 he was accomplished in Kung Fu.Soto is a former sheriff's deputy with the New York State Sheriff's Department. For three years, as the Senior Tactical Defense Instructor, he trained deputies in tactical defense.Soto is an eight-time World Kumite Undisputed Champion.

 

He is the founder of the present system of Atemi Aiki-Jujitsu and the present system of Atemi-Jujitsu Te.He is a five-time winner of Japan's Full-Contact Bare Knuckle Championship.Soto has had more than 279 fights and 279 knockouts during his career as a fighter, which spanned from the early 1970s to the late 1990s.Lifetime achievements Soto's many achievements in the martial arts and in other areas are too numerous to mention.Some of them include:Received a National Sports Award from President Bill Clinton, 1996.President, Founder, andExecutive Director of the 1st International Martial Arts Hall of Fame in San Diego, Calif.,during which he received a Letter of Commendation from the Mayor of San Diego,Susan Golding and a Letter of Commendation from the Mayor of Hollywood,Johnny Grant, Shihan Richard Reyes,Secretary of the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame, presented Soto with a doctorate in the martial arts decree by international and local martial artists during the Golden Global International Martial Arts Hall of Fame in San Diego, Calif., Nov. 28, 1998,for his dedication to the communities youths and to the homeless.Soto is the author of the martial arts books:"Atemi-Jujitsu - Poison Hand Technique," 2000;"Atemi Cobra - Jujitsu" 1998; and "Atemi the Forgotten Art," 1997.

 

Ranked one of the top 10 martial artists in the world Soto holds three red belts for achieving Grandmastery in three arts, Atemi-Jitsu, Aiki-Jujitsu,and Ninjitsu, and he is the last heir to and the highest authority of the complete art of Atemi Aiki-Jitsu and the present system of Atemi Cobra Jujitsu Te.One of the youngest to achieve grandmastery at the age of 32 Trained members from many branches of the federal government departments in tactical defense including the Treasury Department, U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navy Seals Team. He has appeared on nationally televised programs such as Donahue, Inside Edition and NBC's Today Show. As an actor, he starred in the Latin American movie,"A Cry in the City" produced by Columbia Pictures in the 70s and consulted on two other films

• for the same company.He choreographed many movie fight scenes for Remo Williams, and did the stunts for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.He is an expert in all types of weapons from firearms to explosives. He is an expert in both traditional and modern weapons including Budo, Bojutsu,Tantojutsu, Sai, Nunchaku, Kendo, Iaido, Kyudo, and more.Grandmaster Irving Soto"AAs a role model, you have to be able to set theexample for children and even adults to look up to. I strive to be that example."During his Jujitsu class in Russell Gym on Jan.18, Grandmaster Irving Soto, right, a police officer with the Directorate of Law Enforcement and Security, instructs Shaunda Scruggs in a hold technique on her fellow student, Sean Nelson.Grandmaster Irving Soto demonstrates an agonizing leg twist on Sean Nelson.Grandmaster Irving. Soto observes closel as two students grapple their way through an exercise.