Takeo Yano, also known as Takeo Iano, was a Japanese judoka who helped in the establishment of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Brazil.
Yano was a standout in judo, learning it in the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai[1] under the renowned Hajime Isogai.[2] He worked with the Ono brothers, Yasuichi and Naoichi.[3] They taught Judo in the North of Brazil.[4] He also taught in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.[5] Along with Kazuo Yoshida in Bahia (founder of Bahia Judo[6]), they helped to establish Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
In 1937, Yano fought Hélio Gracie to a draw.[7] But on 1 September 1938, when facing another member of the Gracie family, and the best fighter of the family, George Gracie, Yano lost through a leglock.[8] As a fighter he took on the name ″Oriental Demon″.[9] He also fought Waldemar Santana and defeated him by armlock at the fourth round.[5] His earlier black belts included Jose Jurandir Moura whom he taught in Fortaleza, Brazil,[10] Cisando Lima,[11] and Francisco Sá.
Yano is thought to have introduced the heel hook in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[12]