Gene
LeBell started his career at a very young age. By 6 he trained with Ed “Strangler”
Lewis, a wrestling legend of the time. Gene always worked hard to improve
his skills. At 14 he entered his first out of school judo tournament and
was quickly disqualified for using “too much force.” At the age
of 20, Gene won the National AAU Heavyweight Judo Championship and the USA
Overall Judo Championship back to back. At that point, Gene stepped into
the arena of professional wrestling where he beat Pat O’Connor for
the world’s heavyweight wrestling championship. He even fought and
“choked” the world heavyweight boxing champion Milo Savage in
1963.
Gene has also trained many champions. He has taught grappling to such celebrities as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, Bob Wall, Ed Parker, and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. He is also the master of one of the best grapplers in the world Gokor Chivichyan.
In January
2000, during our Hye Katch Do Banquet, The Armenian Martial Artists Coalition
honored Shihan LeBell with the title of “Noble Armenian Knight”
and declared him an honorary member of its Hall of Fame. We admire this
great martial artist for his numerous contributions to the martial arts
world, and appreciate his warmth and close ties with the Armenian community.
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* Adapted from: www.GeneLebell.com
