Gokor Chivichyan
Encyclopedia
Gokor Chivichyan is an Armenian
Judo
, submission grappling, and mixed martial arts
instructor. Gokor currently trains professional and amateur fighters at the Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood. Chivichyan was born in Yerevan
, Armenia
.
Gokor began his training as a young child in Soviet Armenia, winning many national and international junior titles in Judo, Sambo
, and wrestling
. At the age of 17, Gokor relocated to Los Angeles
, where he continued his training in no-gi submission grappling under Gene LeBell
, a famous catch wrestler and America' first Judo champion.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Gokor traveled and competed in the Soviet Union and throughout Europe, Japan, Thailand, and Mexico. He amassed a record of over 400 wins and no losses over a career of competing in Sambo, Judo, Submission Grappling, and Mixed-Martial-Arts competitions. With the opening of the Hayastan Academy in 1991, Gokor retired from professional fighting, undefeated, and focused his time on teaching.
In 1997, Gokor came out of retirement to win a superfight organized by the World Fighting Federation. In 1998, he was named by Black Belt Magazine “Judo Instructor of the Year” and received the prestigious “Hall of Fame” spot. Since then he has produced in his school a new generation of fighters, such as Manvel Gamburyan
, Sako Chivitchian
, Karen Darabedyan
, Sevak Magakian, Roman Mitichyan
, and Karo Parisyan
, who have competed in the arena of the UFC, WEC
, King of the Cage
, Olympic and all National Judo Championships.
To the great surprise of many, Gokor competed again at the 2008 USJA/USJF
Winter Nationals, the first National Judo Championship endorsed by both organizations. Gokor arrived unprepared for competition and without his gi; he was there to coach his team, which went on to win the overall tournament award with more gold medals than any other team. After being presented with a gi and heckled by tournament organizers and other coaches, however, Gokor agreed to participate. Competing with a pre-existing groin injury, he severely re-pulled his groin muscle in the first match (which he won), resulting in a voluntary forfeiture of his 2nd match. Due to the double elimination rules, he was allowed to continue after a brief break. Gokor agreed to continue and went on to defeat all of his opponents. He took Gold after defeating Gary Butts by uchi mata in the finals.
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, submission grappling, and mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
instructor. Gokor currently trains professional and amateur fighters at the Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood. Chivichyan was born in Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
, Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
.
Gokor began his training as a young child in Soviet Armenia, winning many national and international junior titles in Judo, Sambo
Sambo (martial art)
Sambo is a Russian martial art and combat sport. The word "SAMBO" is an acronym for SAMooborona Bez Oruzhiya, which literally translates as "self-defense without weapons". Sambo is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the Soviet Red Army to improve their hand to hand...
, and wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
. At the age of 17, Gokor relocated to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where he continued his training in no-gi submission grappling under Gene LeBell
Gene LeBell
Ivan Gene LeBell is a former American Judo champion, instructor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. LeBell has worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows, and has authored a number of books.In 2000, he was promoted to 9th Dan in US Ju-Jitsu...
, a famous catch wrestler and America' first Judo champion.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Gokor traveled and competed in the Soviet Union and throughout Europe, Japan, Thailand, and Mexico. He amassed a record of over 400 wins and no losses over a career of competing in Sambo, Judo, Submission Grappling, and Mixed-Martial-Arts competitions. With the opening of the Hayastan Academy in 1991, Gokor retired from professional fighting, undefeated, and focused his time on teaching.
In 1997, Gokor came out of retirement to win a superfight organized by the World Fighting Federation. In 1998, he was named by Black Belt Magazine “Judo Instructor of the Year” and received the prestigious “Hall of Fame” spot. Since then he has produced in his school a new generation of fighters, such as Manvel Gamburyan
Manvel Gamburyan
Manvel "Manny" Gamburyan is an Armenian American mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter 5. Besides The Ultimate Fighter, Gamburyan has fought for notable promotions such as King of the Cage and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.Gamburyan is fighting in the...
, Sako Chivitchian
Sako Chivitchian
Sako Chivitchian is an Armenian-born mixed martial arts fighter who competes in the lightweight division. He immigrated to the United States of America and is presently based in Los Angeles...
, Karen Darabedyan
Karen Darabedyan
Karen Darabedyan is an Armenian professional mixed martial artist. He is more notable for fighting in WEC's lightweight division. He is a training partner of Karo Parisyan and Manvel Gamburyan...
, Sevak Magakian, Roman Mitichyan
Roman Mitichyan
Roman Mitichyan is an Armenian-American professional mixed martial artist HyeFighter, actor and stuntman. He briefly appeared on Spike TV's reality show The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs...
, and Karo Parisyan
Karo Parisyan
Karapet Parisyan is an Armenian-American mixed martial artist. From his days as a UFC mainstay Karo holds notable wins over Ryo Chonan, Shonie Carter, Drew Fickett, Matt Serra, Nick Thompson, Chris Lytle, Nick Diaz and Antonio McKee.- Early life:...
, who have competed in the arena of the UFC, WEC
World Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
, King of the Cage
King of the Cage
King of the Cage, also known as KOTC, is a mixed martial arts promotion based in Southern California, USA.-History:KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock. KOTC features up and coming MMA stars as well as experienced combat fighters....
, Olympic and all National Judo Championships.
To the great surprise of many, Gokor competed again at the 2008 USJA/USJF
United States Judo Federation
The United States Judo Federation is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting judo in the United States. Its national office is located in Ontario, Oregon. In 2007 it will sanction competitions and tournaments in at least nine different states....
Winter Nationals, the first National Judo Championship endorsed by both organizations. Gokor arrived unprepared for competition and without his gi; he was there to coach his team, which went on to win the overall tournament award with more gold medals than any other team. After being presented with a gi and heckled by tournament organizers and other coaches, however, Gokor agreed to participate. Competing with a pre-existing groin injury, he severely re-pulled his groin muscle in the first match (which he won), resulting in a voluntary forfeiture of his 2nd match. Due to the double elimination rules, he was allowed to continue after a brief break. Gokor agreed to continue and went on to defeat all of his opponents. He took Gold after defeating Gary Butts by uchi mata in the finals.
External links
- http://www.kdmma.com/
- http://www.romanmma.com/
- http://www.urartuproductions.com/ - The HyeFighters Show featuring Gokor Chivichyan and Gene Lebell