Moti Horenstein
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Moti Horenstein was born and educated in Israel. At the age of 5 he began training in the martial arts. During his training, he captured several Junior Champion of Israel titles.
In 1983 Moti was drafted into the Israeli Army. He served in the airborne Special Forces, and in several commando divisions teaching survival techniques for three consecutive years. In 1986, Moti, trained by Dr. Dennis Hannover, captured the title Champion of Israel in the adult heavy weight division – a title that he continued to hold until his arrival to the U.S. in 1989.
With many years' experience teaching both Israeli lay-students and the Israeli Special Forces, Shihan Moti decided to give back what the martial arts had given him. In 1992, Shihan Moti Horenstein opened the Survival Center in Spring Valley, New York. This was the first of three locations. Moti Horenstein's Karate & Kickboxing Academy located in New City, New York opened in 1999 and in 2004 Shihan opened his newest school in North Miami Beach/Aventura, Florida.
Moti is sharing his knowledge of the survival technique by teaching special seminars in many martial arts schools, military schools, police departments and security organizations.
Today, Moti is an eighth degree Black Belt and continues to compete worldwide as well as being Director and Chief Instructor of the World Survival Hisardut Organization. He holds World Titles in 5 different styles. In 1995, Shihan Moti was crowned Champion of the World at the International World Oyama Karate Open Championships as well as capturing first place honors in Team USA Shidokan, representing the United States in Tournaments around the world. Most recently, Shihan captured Champion of the United States in Muay Thai and in August 1998 he captured Champion of the World at the King's Cup Muay Thai World.
Today Moti works even harder to bring his students the best techniques through hard work, research and development. This is something that Shihan feels is an important aspect in the Survival Hisardut System.
[edit] MMA career
Even though he had success in Karate and Kickboxing, Moti didnt fair well in the realm of mixed martial arts. Suffering 6 losses and only 1 win in his MMA Career. He participated in UFC 10 and 14, both times being eliminated in the first round of the tournaments. He then went on to lose two more MMA events and win at the Bas Rutten Invitational only to go on another two loss losing streak before bowing out of the MMA world. Currently he teaches in North Miami Beach Florida. On his website he also claims that he has won events in which he has clearly lost. According to his website in Amsterdam, Hollands Superfight he claimed to win in Under 4 minutes but in actuality he lost.
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&EventID=363
He also chooses to leave out his UFC career and claims to have lost because the UFC placed him up against big name fighters, even though those two big name fighters had yet to become famous in the fairly new MMA cirquit. The event was also a tournament and Moti would have eventually had to fight said oponents at some point any way.
[edit] School Controversy
Many people have complained about the schools which he runs. They are viewed as commercial and marketed as a business where he attempts to exploit unweary clients. Upon entering you are taken through a class and then shown that the monthly cost is $120 for two classes a week. If you wish to take more classes that charge goes up. The introductory class focuses little on technique and is more orientated towards conditioning. To participate in classes you must buy another 100+ package with a gi and other things which you must buy directly through him. Every time you advance to another class you must also purchase another gi top. The training received is mediocre at best.
Upon sitting through one of his classes it was apparent that the higher level students were not capable of properly delivering basic kicks. The class sizes are also very large with only one instructor. In terms of bang for the buck his system is not very cost effective for people that want to learn muay thai or karate.
Moti's newest school, in West Nyack, NY, boasts all the best that reflects Moti and his reputation. This school is quickly gaining notoriety for being able to effectively balance the important tradition of discipline within a dojo environment - and friendliness amongst staff and students.
