 |
|
"Jim
Arvanitis revitalized the ancient Greek combat sport, making
it the modern world's first mixed martial art."
"Modern
pankration owes its existence to Greek-American combat athlete
Jim Arvanitis. Influenced by the remnants of the original
sport, he was among the first to integrate fighting skills
from different systems, preceding the current mixed martial
arts movement by almost thirty years."
For
thirty years, Jim Arvanitis has been the leading pioneer of
Greek pankration and the concept of integrated combat skills.
It is because of innovators like him that martial artists
everywhere can appreciate the value of all styles in additio
to cross training in both striking and grappling techniques,
for it was pankration that set the standard for combat sports
in the Old World."
|
| BLACK
BELT Magazine |
|
|
"Jim
Arvanitis is among the elite martial artists of our time.
His efforts and innovations have not only revived an ancient
fighting legacy, but have provided an efficient means of learning
no-nonsense self-defense. Arvanitis’ incredible skill and
fighting record speak for themselves."
|
| INSIDE
KUNG-FU Magazine |
|
| "Almost
single-handedly, Jim Arvanitis has resurrected the lost art
of pankration and brought it back from the brink of extinction.
Arvanitis is a visionary whose influence has been felt from
no-holds-barred fighting to the Olympics." |
| MARTIAL
ARTS ILLUSTRATED |
|
| "I
fell that Mu Tau (modern pankration) is the best and most practical
fighting art in practice today, and that Jim Arvanitis is very
likely the finest all-around martial artist America has yet
produced." |
MASSAD
F. AYOOB
Martial Arts Journalist and Weapons Expert |
|
| "Grandmaster
Jim Arvanitis is recognized by the World Head of Family Sokeship
Council as the first individual to introduce the Greek art of
Pankration to America and revitalize its interest around the
world. It is also our opinion that much of the popularity of
Pankration can be attributed to Arvanitis’ love for his art
and his pioneering efforts in bringing the attention of pankration
to the world." |
GRANDMASTER
FRANK E. SANCHEZ
Executive Director, WHFSC |
|
| "Jim
Arvanitis is not only a martial arts living legend but is Greek
pankration's renaissance man. Through his efforts, the number
of those practicing the art has grown but from one practitioner
in the early-1970s to many thousands throughout the world today." |
| WORLD
OF MARTIAL ARTS Magazine |
|
| "Modern
pankration is synonymous with the name Jim Arvanitis. Grandmaster
Arvanitis is an incredible combat athlete whose development
preceded the mixed martial arts movement by some twenty years." |
| COMBAT
SPORT Magazine |
|
| "Greek-American
martial arts extraordinaire Jim Arvanitis has been the main
reason for the resurgence of the 'all-powers' combat sport called
pankration in current times. For the past thirty years he has
championed the aidos (honor) of his ancestors." |
| TAE
KWON DO TIMES Magazine |
|
| "Demetrios
Arvanitis is a cultural icon, having regenerated a significant
piece of Greece's history. His passion for his art and athleticism
are an inspiration for all Hellenes and filhellenes everywhere." |
| GREATER
BOSTON HELLENIC-AMERICAN SOCIETY |
|
| "Training
in pankration under Jim Arvanitis improved my overall confidence
and capabilities to handle myself when I was sent to serve in
the Persian Gulf war. Mr. Arvanitis is the best combat trainer
in the business today. His lessons served me well against enemy
soldiers in the field." |
| U.S.
Army Special Forces Soldier |
|
| "Modern
pankration was a great asset in getting our minds and bodies
ready to face the enemy during Operation Desert Storm. The emphasis
on functional techniques, ground fighting tactics, and realistic
applications equipped us with empty-handed tools necessary to
handle the most critical of situations." |
ROBERT
KOLPIEN
Captain, U.S. Army |
