Shihan Paul Arel Founder & International Director International Kokondo Association

Shihan is a title earned through a life time of sacrifice and hard work. Extraordinary skill and accomplishment are just the beginnings. Paul Arel is such a man. He has worked diligently to become the Shihan of the International Kokondo Association . Mr. Arel was a teenager in 1950 when he began his Jujitsu training under Sudo Sensei. Mr. Arel gives the most credit to this sensei for his core techniques which were subsequently refined and improved upon. After years of intensive training under close guidance of his sensei, he earned his black belt, placing him among the youngest legitimate black belts in the United States.

In actuality, this rank established him as one of the few black belts of any age in the country. Arel Shihan became one of our country's first occidental Jujitsu black belts. Before returning to Japan, Mr. Arel's sensei appointed him as the dojo Instructor.

Shihan Paul Arel is Founder and International Director for the International Kokondo Association (IKA) and Jukido International, IKJA Inc. He has been an Instructor in the Martial Arts since 1952. He is recognized as the worlds leading Jukido Jujitsu Shihan, inducted into N.E. Black Belt Hall of Fame and listed in Who's Who in the Martial Arts. Mr. Arel continues to teach as well as making himself available for professional lectures and seminars to Blackbelts, corporations, women's groups and various parent organizations.

He continued training in traditional jujitsu exclusively until the mid '50's when he entered the United States Marine Corps. His leadership qualities, and entering the Marine Corps as a black belt afforded Mr. Arel many advantages. For one, he was soon instructing Marines in unarmed and armed combat, including the most elite of the forces, certain Special Tactics Units, and various Government entities.

While with the famed Fleet Marines (Force Troops), Arel Shihan received elite training in the orient. He concentrated upon fighting styles originating in Japan, Okinawa and China. He became an expert in kata, was introduced to karate, judo, Aikido, kobudo, knife, bayonet and, of course firearms as well as other traditional techniques. He also successfully competed in many tournaments. To help make ends meet, Arel Shihan "Kept the peace at a bar off Camp Geiger." Those with military training may remember this spot as "the second front."

A Note here about -Field work-Few martial artists these days get to use their skills in real street type situations. A situation Kokondo stresses as a hope that no member ever is involved in. Because of the timing and/or circumstances, duties etc., Mr. Arel's experience in the field has helped to determine (in many cases) which techniques are applicable or appropriate to certain circumstances...this experience includes: Service "Operations", Actual "fieldwork", Bouncer, and Security to mention a few.

Throughout the 1960's while pursuing his study of jujitsu, Mr. Arel was also a private student of Mas Oyama and one of he first Branch Chiefs of Kyokushin Karate in the United States. Mr. Arel opened the first Karate class in Connecticut USA. In addition Mr. Arel received principle training from Don Nagle and H. Ishikawa. His skills helped bring one of the first large scale shiai to North America. He has worked with, in one capacity or another, a great number of people familiar to most people who have been involved in Martial Arts for any period of time. They include Koichi Tohei, Gary Alexander, Peter Urban, Henry Cho, Daeshik Kim, Maung Gyi, K. Ueyno, H. Nishiyama and many more.

By the late 1960's Mr. Arel was recognized as the worlds leading authority on Jukido Jujitsu and was awarded the title of Shihan. His profound concern for the public's well being led him to blend his jujitsu experience with his training in Judo, Aikido and Karate into a dynamic and devastating system of self-defense.

As time went on Arel Shihan continued to perfect his art. Publicity led to numerous radio and television appearances, including the TONIGHT SHOW starring Johnny Carson. After working with Woody Allen and actress Barbara Nichols, Mr. Arel produced and was featured in the motion picture ART OF THE ANCIENTS. In 1998, he earned the rank of 10^th Dan in both Kokondo Karate and Jukido jujitsu. This achievement made Paul Arel, Shihan of both Jukido Jujitsu and Kokondo Karate.

Today, Arel Shihan is a world record holder and instructor of people from virtually every walk of life. His school teaches two dynamic and powerful arts: Jukido Jujitsu and Kokondo Karate. Mr. Arel continues to work with law enforcement agencies throughout the country. As Chief Instructor of the International Kokondo Association (IKA) and Jukido International Association (IKJA), Arel Shihan teaches an elite club of Blackbelts, and remains available for professional lectures to Blackbelts, corporations, women's groups and various parent organizations.

For more information about Shihan Paul Arel please visit the International Kokondo Association's web site.

Shihan Paul Arel