Gene talks about all the people who have trained him in different forms and styles. In judo he had a lot of trainers, and he talks about how the only way to get good in any sport is to have multiple teachers because teachers only focus on what they do best. He had different trainers for standing throws, ground grappling, fast techniques and then formed his style around a combination of what he learned.
Gene who trained you? In judo i've had a lot of trainers in judo. The onl way to get good at any sport if you're a fanatic. don't have one teacher. because one teacher wants to do what he did best. The serenagi, tomonagi, kataroma, haragochi, uchumata. But how about the guy that just does nerwaja, which is ground work kesegatmi, kasasuwaza. so you go and you get a variety and see what works for you. so you're a big man, you use strength holds. i was very skinny when i competed, i looked like a polio victim and so i used fast technique.
In a 50+ year career of high falls and fist fights, "Judo" Gene LeBell has crashed cars, jumped motorcycles, wrestled bears, incited riots and fought some of the toughest men in the world.
He was an AAU National Judo Champion and a Professional Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion at a time when wrestling was more about survival than show business.
In this ONLY** authorized autobiography, Gene gives us an insiders view of his childhood, movie sets, wrestling rings and Japanese dojo's where he made his living and built his reputation by dishing out pain and punishment.
He was there during the "Golden Years" of martial arts growth in the U.S. and shares intimate experiences with legends like Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, Ed Parker, Bruce Lee, Andre "The Giant," Lou Thesz, Hulk Hogan, George "Superman" Reeves, Burt Reynolds, Chuck Norris and many others.
** Special Note: There is an illegally printed book, called "The Toughest Man Alive" floating around. Please, please, please do not buy, sell, trade, or deal in that book for any reason. If you bought a copy, please go back where your purchased it, and demand a refund. Ask for the only authorized and complete book "The Godfather of Grappling".