HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor started in the martial arts (Judo) in 1978, initially forced by his father. After that, fell in love with the Asian culture and all its aspects. Studied also Kung Fu, several styles of Karate, European fencing, Japanese swordsmanship, Jiu-Jistu, Kali Silat, Kobudo and his passion, the Aikido. Holds the 5th (fifth) Dan (degree black belt) in Aikido (certified by the Aikikai Foundation in Tokyo, Japan) and also holds black belts in Karate and Kobudo (Japanese weapons).
Started Aikido in 1986 and became an instructor for beginners in 1991. Got his black belt in 1992 being registered in Japan in 1993. In the same year founded the Shinken Institute, active until 2017 operating schools of Aikido and Japanese Culture in five cities in Brazil. One of the masters who most influenced him was Steven Seagal being Seagal’s direct disciple, business associate and personal friend for 5 years (1997-2002). Gharios was the only teacher in South America to have such a relationship directly with Seagal being the pioneer of Steven Seagal method of Aikido in South American continent.
Steven Seagal, well known star of Hollywood is also a master of various martial arts styles and 7th. degree black belt in Aikido, and was (before the fame) the first Westerner to own and operate a school on Japanese soil.
In 1999, received “The Sports Merit” a governmental award for his work for the martial arts. From 2003 until 2017 was a direct student of Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei 8o.Dan (one of the few direct disciple of the founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba still alive). Is responsible for forming dozens of black-belt instructors that are active today all over Brazil.
In 2020, was inducted in the in the Martial Arts Hall of Honors during the largest martial arts event in the world, the Mega Martial Arts Hall of Honors 20th Anniversary at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ.
This year, in Las Vegas, during the ceremony in which the prince has received the prestigious AOF Icon Award for his four decades long martial arts career, his over 25 years entertainment career and his international humanitarian work; he was surprised by the speech given by the legendary Great Grandmaster Ernie Reyes Sr., bestowing a sword and the induction to the Grandmaster’s Hall of Fame of the World Martial Arts Masters Association counting on several major names in the international martial arts as Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, Ip Man, Royce Gracie, Samuel Kwok, Randy Couture, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, Benny “the Jet” Urquidez, Steven Seagal, Don Wilson, Al Dacascos, Cynthia Rothrock, Ron Van Clief, Keith Vitali, etc.
Special Thanks to the Masters of the Executive Council: GGM Ernie Reyes Sr., GGM Eric Lee and GM Mike Gerry. Also thanks to GM Dr. Robert Goldman
THE ROYAL HERALD 