Our Story

History of The Arena. The oldest Martial Arts School in North America.

1937

Our founder, Aloysius C. Holtmann from Iowa, enlists in USMC at age 21. Graduates MCRD in San Diego and stationed in Hawaii.

1938 - 1940

Corporal Holtmann trains in Hawaii with Seishiro (Henry) Okazaki, founder of Danzan-Ryu Jujutsu. Receives Black Belt and Mokoroku (teaching certificate) May 5, 1940.

1941 - 1945

US enters World War II. Sergeant Holtmann fights in some of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific, including Battles of Guam and Okinawa. Receives multiple field promotions.

1946 - 1949

Sergeant Major Holtmann retires from USMC in 1946. Attends and graduates from SDSU in 1949. Teaches Judo at San Diego YMCA until 1949 when he opens own school. Please note: chevrons to right reflect correct USMC insignia at time of Sergeant Major Holtmann’s promotion.

1949

Sensei Holtmann opens the Southern California School of Judo and Ju Jitsu (which will become The Arena). Will become the oldest Martial Arts school in North America. See history of Judo in San Diego here and here.

1961

Sensei Holtmann featured in first issue of Black Belt Magazine. Goes on to appear in Black Belt numerous times over next 3 decades.

2001

Sensei Holtmann dies at age 85 on December 19, 2001. Taught Judo and Ju Jitsu to over 100,000 students during a 7 decade teaching career.

2002

Sensei Holtmann posthumously awarded Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) from Kodokan Judo headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

2002 - 2005

Sensei Gene Mauro runs the school until his passing in August 2005. A retired Air Force vet and SDPD officer, he was a Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt) and former National Heavyweight Judo Champion.

2006

After 57 years, the school moves from 30th Street to 3350 Sports Arena Blvd. It updates its name to The Arena in order to best represent a training center for modern day warriors. Offers programs in Boxing, FMA, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing, MMA, Muay Thai, and Wrestling.

2007 - Present

The Arena grows to becomes the single largest Martial Arts school in North America. Its’ continued mission is to be the leading center in the world for Martial Arts and Combat Sports training.