Vovinam to demonstrate Vovinam publicly in Hanoi with his disciples in 1940, Nguyễn was invited to teach the art at Hanoi's Ecole Normale, and Vovinam gained in popularity. During the following years, political unrest increased throughout Vietnam; due to the system's nationalist political orientation, the art came under suppression. By 1954, Nguyễn had emigrated to South Vietnam, where he was able to continue to teach and establish Vovinam schools. After his death in 1960, Grandmaster Le Sang continued the development and international promotion of Vovinam until his own death on September 27, 2010. The first Vovinam school outside of Vietnam was
Gary Alexander (martial art pioneer) to Hand Combat and Defense Systems". Gary Alexander (martial art pioneer) Gary Alexander is an American martial artist, karate fighter, author and actor. He was Black Belt Magazine's Co-Instructor of the Year (1974) and is known as the "First International Bare Knuckle Contact Karate Champion. On November 17, 1962, Gary Alexander won the first Canadian Karate Championship sponsored by Mas Tsuruoka. On November 24, 1962, Gary Alexander won the North American Championship sponsored by Mas Oyama, which was held at the Madison Square Garden. Both events were bare knuckle full contact, whereas the winner was the fighter still standing. Alexander