Gokor Chivichyan

Gokor Chivichyan (Armenian: Գոքոր Չիվիչյան; born May 10, 1963) is an Armenian judo, submission grappling, and mixed martial arts instructor. Chivichyan currently trains professional and amateur fighters at the Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood, California, United States. With his extensive knowledge in judo, sambo, catch wrestling, freestyle wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Chivichyan is considered to be one of the most complete grapplers of all time.[3]

Gokor Chivichyan
BornԳոքոր Չիվիչյան
(1963-05-10) May 10, 1963
Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union
ResidenceNorth Hollywood, California
NationalityArmenian
StyleSambo, Judo, Catch wrestling, Jujutsu, Freestyle wrestling
Rank  9th Dan Black Belt In Judo (USJJF)[1]
  9th Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin Budokai[2]
  6th Degree Black Belt and 1st Razryad Grand Master In Sambo
  7th Degree Black Belt In Jujutsu
Master of sports in Wrestling
OccupationTrainer, fighter
Notable relativesGary Chivichyan, son
Notable studentsKaro Parisyan, Manvel Gamburyan, Ronda Rousey, Karen Darabedyan, Sako Chivitchian, Roman Mitichyan, Neil Melanson, Tony Halme

Career

Chivichyan, the youngest of three brothers, was born in Yerevan, Armenia. Chivichyan began his training as a young child in Soviet Armenia, winning national junior titles in judo, sambo, and wrestling. At the age of 17, Chivichyan relocated to Los Angeles, California where he continued his training in catch wrestling under Gene LeBell, a famous catch wrestler who learned from Lou Thesz and Karl Gotch, and was the United States' first Judo champion.[4] Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Chivichyan traveled and competed in the Soviet Union and throughout Europe, Japan, Thailand, and Mexico. With the opening of the Hayastan MMA Academy in 1991, Gokor retired undefeated from professional fighting, and focused his time on teaching.[3]

In 1997, Chivichyan came out of retirement for a superfight organized by the World Fighting Federation. His opponent was intended to be Akira Maeda, but the promoters were unable to sign him and instead matched Chivichyan against Bill Maeda, who was dubbed "Mr. Maeda". Chivichyan submitted Maeda via armbar in 50 seconds.[3]

He was named by Black Belt Magazine as “Judo Instructor of the Year” in 1998 and received the prestigious “Hall of Fame” spot.[5] Since then he has produced in his school a new generation of fighters, such as Manvel Gamburyan, Sako Chivitchian, Neil Melanson, Karen Darabedyan, Roman Mitichyan, Ronda Rousey, and Karo Parisyan, who have competed in the arena of the UFC, WEC, King of the Cage, Olympic and all National Judo Championships.[3][6]

In February 2005, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (ISJJF) awarded him the rank of 7th dan in judo.[7]

To the great surprise of many, Chivichyan competed again at the 2008 USJA/USJF Winter Nationals, the first National Judo Championship endorsed by both organizations.[8] He took Gold after defeating Gary Butts by uchi mata in the finals.[9][10]

After many more years away from competition, Gokor competed at the 2019 IBJJF Pan American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships at the Masters Black Belt level. He defeated former BJJ Black Belt World Champion, V. Oliveira, to take Gold. In August 2019, Gokor again competed at the IBJJF Masters Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Championship, once again defeating all of his opponents to take Gold. He finished the year competing at the SJJIF Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi and No-Gi World Championships in Long Beach, California, taking Gold in both categories. With these victories, Gokor is perhaps the only individual to take Gold medals at elite international competitions in all three of the primary submission grappling arts: Judo, Sambo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. [11][12] Gokor remains undefeated in competition.

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
1 match 1 win 0 losses
By submission 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 Bill Maeda Submission (armbar) WFF - World Fighting Federation February 24, 1997 1 0:50 Birmingham, Alabama United states

References
  1. "Gokor Chivichyan - Southern California Representative". United States Ju-Jitsu Federation. 2010-02-09. Archived from the original on 2015-02-08. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
  2. "IBK International Kyokushin Budokai - Blak Belts". International Kyokushin Budokai.
  3. Grant, T. P. (May 11, 2013). "Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  4. ResuMMA.com - Interview with Gokor Chivichyan Archived 2008-05-11 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Gokor Chivichyan: The King Of Sport-Sambo Submissions". Black Belt Magazine. May 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  6. Markazi, Arash (October 22, 2010). "Gokor Chivichyan's influence felt". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  7. "Gokor Chivichyan - Southern California Representative". United States Ju-Jitsu Federation. 2010-02-09. Archived from the original on 2015-02-08. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
  8. United States Judo Association homepage
  9. "USJA 2008 Winter Nationals Results, December 6 & 7" (PDF). Goltz Judo. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  10. "Gokor Chivichyan and Gary Butts Winter Nationals 08". YouTube. 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
  11. https://ibjjf.com/results/
  12. https://sjjif.com/results
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