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
Yano 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, they helped to establish Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
In 1937, Yano fought Hélio Gracie to a draw. But on September 1, 1938, when facing another member of the Gracie family, and the best fighter of the family, George Gracie, Yano lost through a leglock. As a fighter he took on the name ″Oriental Demon″. He also fought Waldemar Santana and defeated him by armlock at the fourth round. 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.
