Grandmaster Jody Perry

     A wrestler turned martial artist, Grandmaster Jody Perry knows the true value of cross training. In search of a winning edge to secure an Olympic berth on the 1980, '84, and '88 Olympic Greco-Roman team, Grandmaster Perry competed in the nationals in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, Judo and Sambo. In Sambo, he is a former world champion, eight-time gold-medal holder, and was the Sambo World Team coach in 1998. He also holds a national title in Judo. He has studied multiple martial arts including Gracie Jiu Jitsu from Relson Gracie, Aikido, and Wing Chun, and is active in promoting Sport Jujutsu. He presently holds black belt titles in: WMAHOFC 12 th Dan, Sambo 11 th Dan, HMAISHOF 10 th Dan, Pankration JiuJitsu 7 th Dan, Sport Jiujitsu 5 th Dan, Judo 3 rd Dan, Wing Chun Level One.
     Grandmaster Perry is the founder of the officially recognized style "Perry's Full Circle" (PFC), and has spent many years teaching self-defense through Model Mugging and working with the Sonoma County (California) Shelter for Battered Women.
     To date Grandmaster Perry has received (10) Hall of Fame awards from a variety of martial arts associations, including the Hawaiian Martial Arts Association, the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and Action Martial Arts Magazine. He is a certified Pankration International referee, and actively promotes both Pankration and Sambo in seminars and demonstrations given throughout North America.
- Sambo World Champion (Masters), 1996
- Sambo World Champion Silver Medallist (Seniors) 1996
- Sambo World Team Head Coach, 1998
- Eight-time National Sambo Champion
- Four-time Pan American Sambo Champion
- National Silver Medallist, Greco-Roman Wrestling
- National Bronze Medallist, Freestyle Wrestling
- National Bronze Medallist, Judo
- Sandan in Judo (3rd degree black)
- 3rd Dan in Sport JuJutsu
- 7th Dan in Panjitsu
- 1st-level student in Wing Chun, U.S. Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy
- Blue belt in Gracie Jiujitsu (4 years trained under Relson Gracie)
- Black belt in Karate
- Sport Jiu-Jitsu World Team Member and Assistant Coach, 1996
- 25 years' experience in a broad range of martial arts
- 37 years of competition
- Three-time Olympic contender, Greco-Roman Wrestling
- Two-time California State Powerlifting Champion

     Grandmaster Jody Perry and the style he created, Perry's Full Circle, were recognized and honored by the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame (WMAHOF) in Akron, Ohio., in March, 2001.
     During a grueling 60-minute appearance before a council of 15 Grandmasters of a wide range of martial arts styles, Grandmaster Perry described and demonstrated his style and then was tested on his ability to defend against randomly selected attacks by single assailants, multiple assailants and weapons. He was assisted by his son, Sensei Jay Perry, and black belt students Adam Hutchins and Carmen Bottiglieri.
     "It was nerve-wracking," said Sensei Jay Perry, "I had no idea what they would throw at us next. They (the council) weren't interested in a scripted demonstration - they had us attack Grandmaster Perry with no warning to him, so they could see how he'd react to specific types of situations."
     The result: the honoring of Grandmaster Jody Perry with a Sokeship (founder's certification), official recognition of Perry's Full Circle, and its inclusion in the Encyclopedia of Martial Arts.
     Grandmaster Perry and Sensei Jay Perry were also inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame and presented with awards during an exuberant awards banquet at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn. Grandmaster Perry received a Ph.D. in Martial Arts and an Outstanding Achievement award, and Sensei Jay Perry received a Master Instructor award.
     The goal of Perry's Full Circle (PFC) is to teach self-defense and train martial artists to step into athletic stardom by competing for a National, World Team, or Olympic berth in Sambo, Sport Jujutsu, or Pankration.
     As a competitive athlete for over 37 years nonstop, Professor Perry has experienced the thrill of adventure, travel, and physical, mental, psychological, and spiritual growth and development. After winning his first World Championships, he said he could honestly say that he had his "cup runneth over" many times.
     Professor Perry believes that his life was shaped by the athletic programs that he chose throughout his life. He said he believes that sports and athletics kept him off the streets and out of trouble, as well as kept him young enough to stand toe-to-toe with competitors half his age. Athletic involvement has been one of the greatest influences in his life. Professor Perry preaches that "There is no feeling like the thrill of giving your all, regardless of winning or losing."
     Professor Perry's latest endeavors includes the creation of the new Combined Martial Artist sport competition named, "KAMANA".
     In the spirit of cross-training, Kamana's name was taken from the Hawaiian phrase "Koho I ka'mana," which may be translated as "your choice of power." The rules allow standup fighters to win points for their striking and kicking techniques, ground fighters to win points for their submission techniques, and throwers to win points for initiating various types of throws. The rules are also structured to demand continuous action - whether the competitors are standing, when in a clinch, and/or on the ground.
     We're not trying to create yet another cage fight or UFC clone," said Grandmaster Jody Perry. "Strength and endurance will be important, yes, but the rules are written to encourage technique as well as power. We're looking for athletes with a wide range of skills and abilities - true 21 st -century athletes."