This year the Hoteikan System celebrates 35 years as a Martial Arts System. The System was started back in 1974 by Soke Emilio Claudio Jr. and Soke Robert Hasman. The first official students of the new System were Henry Felix, Casimiro Zayas and Santiago Armstrong. The name Hoteikan comes from Soke Claudio's old Jujitsu Dojo in N.J. run by Sensei Nelson Fleming. The original Hoteikan patch with the tiger was created by Soke Claudio and Soke Hasman while still training at the old American Karate Academy on 33rd street in N.Y.C. After 33rd street the Dojo moved to 46th street in Brooklyn. It was there that Shihan Tommy Carrano began his training. From the 46th street Dojo we moved to Fort Hamilton Pkwy in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Dojo remains on Ft. Hamilton Pkwy, only a few blocks away from the original location, Shihan Carrano now owns the Dojo. Soke Claudio moved to upstate N.Y. in the early 80's and began coaching the West Point Judo team. He continues to mentor and coach cadets to this day. In 1993 Soke Saint Armstrong was promoted to Kudan (9th Dan) and made President of the Hoteikan System. In 1994 Sensei Armstrong moved to Arizona and started the Hoteikan Desert Warriors. Soke Armstrong was promoted to Judan (10th) in May of 2009 and made Headmaster of the System by Soke Claudio.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Many students have passed through the Dojo doors of the Hoteikan System in the past 35 years. We all want to thank the founders for their guidance throughout the years and may we celebrate many more wonderful years together as a System and family!