Kenta Iwamoto

Biography

Kenta Iwamoto is a Japanese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo black belt under Yusuke Honma, and one of Asia’s most successful no-gi submission grapplers. He has been training for many years and is widely respected for his relentless pace, sharp stand-up skills, and highly technical defensive systems.

Born in 1997 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, Iwamoto first earned a black belt in Judo before fully transitioning to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. During his time training in the United States, he spent significant periods at B-Team Jiu-Jitsu, where he developed further developed his skills. His training rounds in Austin helped him gain a large international following, particularly for his precise technique and calm, analytical style.

Iwamoto is one of the very few athletes to win the Asia & Oceania ADCC Trials multiple times, first conquering the 66kg division in 2019 to qualify for his ADCC debut, and then winning the Trials again in 2022 and 2023. These victories solidified him as one of Asia’s most reliable ADCC-level competitors.

Technically, Iwamoto is known for combining crisp judo foot sweeps with strong wrestling entries. On the ground, he is highly regarded for his elite turtle defense, dynamic scrimmaging ability, and smart transitional grappling. His most common finishes include the armbar and the rear naked strangle.

Personal

* Legend status is reserved for retired athletes with outstanding achievements and a lasting impact on the sport.

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