Name Takeo Yano | ||
Takeo Yano, also known as Takeo Iano, was a Japanese judoka who helped in the establishment of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Brazil.
Biography
Takeo was a standout in judo, learning it in the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai under the renowned Hajime Isogai. He worked with the Ono brothers, Yasuichi and Naoichi. They taught at Judo North of Brazil. He also taught in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Along with Kazuo Yoshida in Bahia (founder of Bahia Judo), they helped to establish Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
In 1937, Takeo fought Hélio Gracie to a draw. As a fighter he took on the name Oriental Demon. His earlier black belts included Jose Jurandir Moura whom he taught in Fortaleza, Brazil, Cisando Lima, and Francisco Sá.
Yano is thought to have introduced the heel hook in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.