George Dillman
American karateka holding 10th dan, creator of the Ryukyu Kempo Tomari-te system and popularizer of pressure-point technique (kyusho jitsu) in karate kata.
Quick Facts
United StatesBiography
George Dillman, full name George A. Dillman, was born on November 23, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is known as a popularizer of pressure-point technique (kyusho jitsu) applied in traditional karate kata, and as the creator of his own Ryukyu Kempo Tomari-te system.
He began training in 1961 under Harry G. Smith. He also studied under Daniel K. Pai, Robert Trias, Seiyu Oyata, Hohan Soken, Wally Jay and Muhammad Ali. He holds a 10th dan and practices Ryukyu Kempo karate in the Seiyu Oyata lineage. In 1983 he attended an Oyata demonstration in Kansas City, which directed his interest toward pressure points.
From 1969 to 1972 he competed and, according to the source, won 323 trophies in the disciplines of breaking, kata, sparring and weapons. For thirty years he ran the Northeast Karate Championships tournament and led seminars at Muhammad Ali's former training camp in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania. With Chris Thomas he wrote several books on pressure-point fighting. In 1997 Black Belt magazine named him Martial Arts Instructor of the Year and inducted him into its Hall of Fame.
A number of his techniques, especially the "no-touch qi" methods, have not been scientifically proven and faced public criticism after investigative tests.
Teachers, students and family
Associated Martial Arts
Historical current of Okinawan karate from Tomari port, now part of Naha. Matsumora Kosaku is considered its reviver, claimed today by Matsubayashi-ryu, Shorin-ryu schools and Gohaku-kai.
Kyusho Jitsu (Pressure Point Art)Notable figure→A system of strikes to sensitive points popularized by George Dillman. His claim of a contactless knockout failed a controlled test.