History of the Hoteikan System

In 1974, Sensei Claudio began teaching and training in Judo at the American Judo and Karate Academy owned by Sensei Tom Purdy. At the same time, Sensei Hasman began teaching Shotokan Karate at the same Dojo. These two men, the very best of friends, considered themselves family; this sense of family, together with their love of the martial arts, was the fabric that would later define the values of the Hoteikan system.

In 1974, three new students began training in Shotokan Karate with Sensei Hasman: Henry Felix, Casimiro Zayas and Santiago Armstrong. A special bond developed between students and teacher; then Sensei Claudio began to take an interest in the three. While they learned the basics of Shotokan Karate,

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Sensei Claudio also began to develop their Judo and Jujitsu skills.

Very soon, Sensei Claudio and Sensei Hasman realized that they could teach a more rounded form of martial arts if they combined Judo, Jujitsu and Karate. As the two great Senseis contemplated this new form of training, Sensei Claudio remembered the name Hoteikan, a name that exemplified their values and motivations. Thus, in 1974 and in The Bronx, was the Hoteikan System born.

History of the Hoteikan System

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