4-time World Champion Icon Graciela Casillas Breaks Down Barriers
Four-time World Champion Graciela Casillas is a highly acclaimed martial artist and combat sports expert, recognized in 9 National and International Hall of Fames including the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame and Black Belt Hall of Fame. In 2023, she was named "Woman of the Year" by California State Senator Monique Limon in District 19. With over 40 years of experience as a student, instructor, and professional competitor, she has gained international recognition as one of the top boxers, martial artist and instructor of defensive tactics in the world.
Casillas made history as the first woman or man to simultaneously hold two world titles in both boxing and kickboxing. Her journey began at the Hoover Street Boxing Gym in Los Angeles with kickboxing trainer Hap Holloway, who introduced her to Jimmy Montoya at the Olympic Boxing Gym. Montoya was the only trainer who agreed to train Casillas as his female fighter, and after several years of training, she landed her first professional boxing match in 1979. The match was a significant upset, with Casillas defeating Bantamweight World Champion Karen Bennet in a ten-round fight. Although California only allowed women to fight up to six two-minute rounds, Casillas continued to fight while finishing her undergraduate studies at University of California Santa Barbara, earning a BS in Law and Society.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Casillas pursued her education and received a MA in Education from California Lutheran University and a second MA in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University. She became a certified Defensive Tactics Trainer and Close Protection Specialist, graduating from Executive Security International and Massad Ayoob's Lethal Force Institute.
Despite limited opportunities for female fighters during the 70s and 80s, Casillas stayed active in both boxing and kickboxing. With 31 professional fights, 18 knockouts, and no losses, she retired in 1986 after her final fight at the Inglewood Forum. The California State Athletic Commission did not sanction women's fights beyond six rounds, and the International Women's Boxing Association required title defenses to be a minimum of ten rounds.
After retiring from boxing, Casillas turned her attention to teaching martial arts, firearm and tactical training, lectures and writing. Today, she focuses on martial science and teaching the psychological and mental aspects of self-defense. She is a WEKAF Stick Fighting World Champion and a GSBA stick fighting world champion, as well as the founder of Shen Chun Do. She continues to work at Oxnard College as a Professor and Academic Counselor and helping provide guidance for undergrads. She is also a columnist for various magazines, including Black Belt Magazine. Casillas recently published her first book, "The Lioness Within: A Personal Guide to Self-Defense for Women."
She is also the main feature in The Lioness Within, a compelling documentary directed by Aleksandar Adzic, now available on Amazon. This documentary chronicles the extraordinary journey of Graciela Casillas and delves into her struggles and triumphs as a female fighter, tracing her career from kickboxing and boxing to mixed martial arts. Casillas, who was a world champion in both kickboxing and boxing from 1979 to 1986, remains an influential figure throughout the world.
The documentary highlights her path as one of the first female fighters to advocate for women's rights and dignity in a male-dominated sport. Through interviews and personal reflections, The Lioness Within emphasizes the importance of the teacher-student relationship and the legacy of female martial artists. It celebrates the beauty and philosophy of boxing and martial arts, resonating with Bruce Lee's teachings on equality and self-expression. The film is a tribute to Casillas' resilience, determination and her role in paving the way for future generations of female athletes.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2023
2023 Senate District 19th Woman of the Year
2022
National Boxing
Hall of Fame
2021
Ultimate Warrior
Hall of Fame
2020
International
Women’s Boxing
Hall of Fame
2011
Golden Life
Achievement Award Masters Hall of Fame
2012
Association of
Women Martial Arts
Hall of Fame
2003
Inside Kung Fu
Hall of Fame
1989
Black Belt Hall of Fame “Woman of the Year”
2019
Pacific Association of Women Martial Artist Lifetime Achievement Award
2019
International Women’s Boxing Association
Legend Award
2018
Ventura County Board of Supervisors
Lifetime Achievement Award
2018
Certificate of Recognition
20 years of Service Oxnard College
2016
Silat Senior Master Guru Cliff Stewart
Grandmaster Certificate of Recognition
2011
Masters Hall of Fame
Golden Life Achievement Award
2005
Hawaii Challenge
First Place
1996
Congress of the United States, Letter of commendation
USA Jujitsu Team Assistant Coach
1995
Jujitsu America
Distinguished Service Award
1995
State of West Virginia Office of Chief Executive Governor’s Commendation
1989
Hawaii Masters of the Martial Arts
1986
World Kickboxing Association
World Bantamweight Champion
1986
World Women's Boxing Association
World Bantamweight Champion
1986
Retired
31–0, 18 KOs
1st
Athlete male or female to hold 2 world championships in martial arts and boxing at the same time.
Court Approved Expert Witness
Edge Weapon Assault
Executive Security International (ESI)
Firearms Staff
NRA
Firearms Instructor
Columnist
American Shooting Journal-Curren
Training-Certification
Kodenkan Jujitsu (5th dan)
Graduate of the Lethal Force Institute – LFI I (40 hours) Judicious use of lethal force, combat shooting Long Beach, CA
Graduate of the Lethal Force Institute – LFI II (40 hours) Judicious use of lethal force-handgun & shotgun. August 18, 1989 Idaho
Graduate of the Lethal Force Institute – LFI III (40 hours) Judicious use of lethal force, automatic weapons. August 3, 1993 New Hampshire
LFI: Legal, Moral, ethical, and practical parameters of the use of lethal force and deadly weapons by private citizens in self-defense. (40 hours) May 7,1989 Long Beach, CA
Lethal Force Institute: Intensive Training Program-Kubotan/Persuader (8 hours) August 20, 1993 Glendale, CA
Lethal Force Institute: Intensive Training Program-Weapon Retention Aug 21, 1993 (8 hours) Glendale, CA
American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers 9th ASLET International Training Seminar Jan 16-20, 1996 Grapevine, Texas
American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers Seventh ASLET International Training Seminar Jan 4-8, 1994 Washington, D.C.
American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers: Sixth ASLET International Training Seminar Jan 5-9, 1993 Reno, NV
America Society of Law Enforcement Trainers: Second ASLET International Training Seminar Jan 10-14, 1989 Kansas City MO
NRA home firearms safety instructor March 1, 1984-present
NRA pistol instructor March 1, 1984-present
NRA rifle instructor: March 1,1984-present
Certified Serrada Escrima (Cabales Method) instructor (close-quarter impact weapons)
Certified Within Arms Reach (W.A.R.) instructor under Clifford Stewart-executive protection system
Black Belt in Kenpo (3rd degree)
Black Belt in Kodenkan Jujitsu (3rd degree)
Certified instructor in Defensive Edge Weapons (Franco System)
PPCT Management System – Pressure Point Control Defensive Tactics Instructor May 8, 1992
Monadnock PR-24: Basic instructor certification
Balintawak International: Basic instructor certification: High level I Oct 13, 1996
Academy of Public Safety: Defensive Tactics Instructor-May 8, 1992 Long Beach, CA
The Law Enforcement Television Network: Training the Trainer (8 hours) Feb 7, 1991 San Diego, CA
Thai Boxing Muay Thai Training Camp Dec 14, 1985 by Surachai Chai Sirisute (8 hours)
The Great Smokey Mountain Martial Arts Camp June 28-July 8, 1989
JKD, Silat,Thai Camp: June 28-July 12, 1987 Brasstown, NC
The Jun Fan Martial Arts Apprentice Instructor (Dan Inosanto) July 4, 1982
The Filipino Martial Arts Apprentice Instructor (Dan Inosanto) July 4, 1982
International Sport Jujitsu Association: Certified ISJA Official, June 29, 1996
Accomplishments
Court-approved expert witness in edge weapons issues
Inducted into Black Belt Hall of Fame—“Women of the Year”
Inducted into Inside Kung-Fu Hall of Fame
Undefeated International Women’s Boxing Association (IWBA) World Champion
Undefeated World Karate Association (WKA) Kick Boxing Champion
Graduate of Executive Security International (ESI)
Contributing editor, and columnist since 1986 - present: Black Belt Magazine, Knives Magazine, Blade Magazine,Karate/Kung Fu Illustrated, Full Contact Magazine, Inside Kung Fu Magazine
Founder of Shen Chun Do: The Way of the Warrior spirit martial arts system
President of United States Sport Jujitsu Association
Developed KO Fitness, jujitsu, women’s self-defense and boxing for fitness classes for Oxnard Community College
Designed the “Lady Hawk,” Masters of Defense knife.
Member of American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET) for 15 years.
Presenter at National ASLET Convention-Nevada
Assistant Coach to the USA Sport Jujitsu Team 1993-1997
President of the United States Sport Jujitsu Association
Vice President of the International Sport Jujitsu Association 1996-98
Instructional Video
Al Thomas World of Martial Arts – Universal
How to Defend Yourself – Impact Films
Defensive Edge Weapons – Ogi Productions
Impact Weapons Vol. I – CNS Productions
Impact Weapons Vol. II – CNS Productions
Impact Weapons Vol. III – CNS Productions
Combat Escrima Vol. I – CFW Enterprises
Combat Escrima Vol. II – CFW Enterprises
Casillas Self Defense Vol. I – CFW Enterprises
Casillas Self Defense Vol. II – CFW Enterprises
Masters of Defense, White Wolf Productions
Television
Wide World of Sports (ABC)
Santana en Vivo (CH 56)
Roy Firestone’s Sportslook
60 minutes
Gallery (KTLA)
Pacesetters
Al McGuire’s On Sports (KNBC)
That’s Incredible (KABC)
Eye on L.A. (KABC)
Real People (KNBC)
Mid Morning L.A. (KHJ)
Two on the Town (KCBS)
Two on the Town (KABC) 2nd appearance
Hour Magazine (KNBC)
Hour Magazine (KNBC) 2nd appearance
A.M. San Francisco
Film
Fire in the Night (lead actress) – New World Pictures
Capital Punishment – Cine Excel Entertainment
Music Video: Smokey Robinson’s “Just Hold Me” Choreography