About Carl

CARLCESTARI.COM is dedicated to preserving the memory and legacy of a great martial artist, close combat and self-defense practitioner.  Carl devoted his life to training, studying and teaching the techniques that he knew would work in real-life situations.  This was based on his own experience and that of men who preceded him who used these techniques in military, civilian and law enforcement situations and had lived to tell the tales.  

Carl Cestari was best known for his research, training and teaching of various methods of WWII Close-Quarters Combat; however Carl had an extensive background in both Japanese and Okinawan Martial-Arts.  From the early age of 7, he started training in Kodokan Judo, under world renowned Judo Instructor Yoshisada Yonezuka and later in Tani-Ha Shito Ryu Karate under Shigeru Kimura at the Judo-Karate Center in Cranford, New Jersey. Carl was a Martial Artists through and through, his love for the martial arts and its early history is something he researched throughout his entire life. 

In the mid 1970’s, Carl started researching various Military Close-Quarter Combat systems that where developed for troops during the Second World War.  Carl sought out old Close-Combat Instructors to either train with, interview or correspond with over the years. These Instructor’s came from such units as the U.S. Army Special Forces, U.S. Army Rangers, Paratroopers, Marine Raiders & Scouts, (ONI) Office of Naval Intelligence, (CIC) Counter Intelligence Corps), (MID) Military Intelligence Division and the First Special Service Force, also know as the "Devil's Brigade" or "Black Devil's".

Carl’s research of the Martial-Arts & various Self-Defense systems began by his collecting martial arts magazines, books, and mail order lessons.  Over a 40 year period, Carl had collected several thousand books, hundreds of magazine’s, video’s and DVD’s. His collection was one most extensive and impressive libraries in the WORLD.  There where books ranging from Judo & Jujutsu, to French Savate, to Russian Sombo, from Bare-Knuckle Boxing to All-In Wrestling; Military Combative manuals, to privately published manuals. Books from every part of the World; China, Japan, Indonesian, Burma, India, France, England & Russia to name a few.  

Carl had been most influenced by the works of William E. Fairbairn, Eric A. Sykes, Dermot O'Neill, Rex Applegate, John Styers & Charles Nelson. Through Carl’s 40+ years of training and extensive real world experience, he developed a very practical method of Self-Defense. Carl referred to his teaching as “Defendu” i.e. (Gutter-Fighting). Carl was always looking to improve his own personal protection methods of street-survival; he looked at EVERYTHING, regardless of where or whom it came from.  He was NEVER closed-minded and was open to ANYTHING that would make him a more DANGEROUS adversary.  As he stated;

“My interest in the FIGHTING ARTS is SIMPLE:  
I want the BEST methods for BEATING THE SHIT out of my enemy”.n---

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 Here is a list of some of the Martial Arts Carl studied and trained in: 

*Shodan 1st Degree Black Belt in Judo USJA under Yoshisada Yonezuka
*Shodan 1st Degree Black Belt in Tani-Ha Shito Ryu Karate (Shukokai) 
(His Shukokai technique is based on study with four Sensei primarily: S. Kimura, Yonezuka, Kidachi and Ishihara. He trained with Nanbu but this was very limited) 
*Shodan 1st Degree Black Belt in Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu - Kodokai
*Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate (Shobukai)
*Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt in Shorinji Ryu Karate (Kenkokan)
*Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt in Nippon Kempo with Narabu Sada 
*Sandan 3rd Dregree Black Belt from the Federation of Practicing Jujutuans
*Godan 5th Degree Black Belt Jujutsu - World Jujutsu Federation under Clarke
*Ryokudan 6th Degree Black Belt - Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
*Instructors Certificate - Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
*Founder of Tekken Ryu Jujutsu (Shinan)