There are moments in martial arts that remind you why you started this journey in the first place — the thrill of learning, the connection between teammates, and the honor of sharing the mat with legends. On our recent trip to Tokyo, Japan, Professors Adam and Noah, along with longtime SMASH BJJ student Robby Berry, experienced one of those unforgettable moments as they trained with the legendary Masakazu Imanari — a true icon in the world of grappling.
For those who don’t know, Imanari is one of Japan’s most influential submission artists, famous worldwide for his innovative leg-lock game and the creation of the “Imanari Roll.” His career spans Pride FC, DEEP, ONE Championship, and countless high-level grappling matches, where he’s submitted some of the toughest athletes on the planet. Training with him isn’t just a class — it’s a masterclass in creativity, control, and fearlessness.
Inside Imanari Jiu-Jitsu in Tokyo, the atmosphere was both intense and welcoming. The room was filled with quiet focus — the kind of respect that comes from sharing space with a living legend. As the session began, Imanari demonstrated intricate setups for entries that most practitioners would never even think to attempt. His precision and effortless transitions reminded everyone in the room why he remains one of the sport’s most innovative minds.
For Professor Adam, this training was part of a larger mission — connecting SMASH Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with world-class instructors across the globe. “It’s important to keep growing, to learn from different cultures and styles,” he shared. “Imanari represents a creative side of Jiu-Jitsu that challenges the way we think about movement and submissions.”
Professor Noah, known for his technical precision and leadership within SMASH BJJ, dove right into the details, absorbing every nuance of Imanari’s mechanics. “His timing is unreal,” Noah said afterward. “It’s not just the technique — it’s the way he reads your reactions before you even move. You can tell he’s been doing this his entire life.”
For Robby Berry, one of Professor Adam’s longest-standing students, this was a dream come true. Years of training under the SMASH system led him to this moment — rolling on the same mats as one of the sport’s most respected figures. “You see Imanari on YouTube and think you understand what he’s doing,” Robby said with a smile. “But in person? It’s next level. Every movement has purpose.”
After class, Imanari took time to talk, take photos, and share stories with the group — a gesture that showed why he’s not only a master technician but also a humble ambassador for martial arts.
This session was more than just training; it was a bridge between Spokane and Tokyo — between two generations of martial artists dedicated to evolving the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Experiences like this are what define the SMASH BJJ mission: to connect cultures, grow through experience, and bring the lessons of the world back home to inspire the next generation of students.
As Professor Adam put it best:
“Whether it’s Spokane, Brazil, or Japan — the mats connect us all. And that’s what makes Jiu-Jitsu so powerful.”
#SMASHBJJ #ImanariJiuJitsu #TokyoTraining #MasakazuImanari #ProfessorAdamSmith #ProfessorNoah #RobbyBerry #SpokaneBJJ #BJJLife #TrainAbroad #JiuJitsuCommunity #MartialArtsJourney #LegLockGame #ImanariRoll #BJJFamily #SMASHWorldwide
