Who is the best martial artist?   Many names come to mind.  Yamaguchi,  Robert Trias,  Sokaku Takeda (who was one of the last remaining Samurai (Jujitsu) and Ueshiba Morihei. 

Robert Trias was the "Father of Karate in America" who founded the first commercial karate school in the US.  When he was serving in the US Navy he was stationed in the Solomon Islands where he met a Chinese missionary of Zen Buddhism who offered to teach Trias martial arts in exchange for lessons in American boxing. This fostered his love to train in martial arts. 

Robert Trias founded the United States Karate Association maintaining  a liaison with Korea, Japan, China and Okinawa for many years.  He organized the first world Karate tournament in 1963 and his rules are still being used today.

Morihei Ueshiba was the founder of Aikido martial arts. Often referred to as Kaiso or Great Teacher, Ueshiba's interest in martial arts came partially from witnessing his father being beaten.  After moving to the northern part of the island with his wife, he began to study Daito-ryu-aiki-jujutsu from master Sokaku Tadeda followed by a period of time studying with the spiritual leader Onisaburo Deguchi. 

The birth of Aikido resulted from three profound experiences in Ueshiba's life. 

First, was when Ueshiba fended off  a naval officer's beatings with a wooden katana using only his martial arts skills.  Following this incident, he walked outside into a garden and was consumed by a golden vapor which transformed him into a golden image.  Ueshiba felt at that moment that he understood the meaning of creation and was shown the "Way of the Warrior"….which was to manifest Divine Love  and protect others.

His second experience was when he was practicing  misogi and suddenly he forgot all the martial arts techniques he had learned from his masters.  They re-appeared as new teachings and became the vehicles to cultivate life, knowledge and virtue…instead of a method combat.

His third experience was during fighting in WWII.  Ueshiba had a vision of  the "Great Spirit of Peace"  Ueshiba's  philosophy became one of Peace.  The "Way of the Warrior"  is to prevent war….it's the "Art of Peace" and the "Power of Love"

Sokaku Takeda is known as the founder of  a form of jujutsu called Daito-ryu-aiki-jujutsu.  As a young boy, Tadeda witnessed great tragedy while growing up during the war.  His father was a man of samurai class and it is believed that he received his first lessons in martial arts from his father.  His father (Sokichi) was an expert in the use of sword and spear.  Sokaku learned both of these from his father.  It is also believed that he learned at Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha and Ono-ha Itto-ryu  schools for spear and swordsmanship.

When the samurai class was outlawed and a prohibition against carrying swords was enforced,  Sokaku decided to focus on the "empty handed" jujutsu.  Sokaku spent his life travelling, giving seminars in martial arts to military officers and police officers (often of high social standing).

Gogen Yamaguchi taught a form of martial arts known as Goju-ryu.  As a young boy he studied Kendo which is Japanese fencing and it was during this time that he trained under Mr Maruta… who taught him everything he knew.  Yamaguchi earned a law degree at Kansei University and when he was 22 he established the first "karate club" at the Ritsumeikan University. 

After mastering the hard aspect of Goju martial arts, Yamaguchi looked for more.  He found Master Miyagi who helped Yamaguchi begin training spiritually as well as physically and was later appointed Miyagi's successor of the Goju school in Japan.

Now, part of the reason for discussing the great martial artists of all time is because you can't be the best unless you have something to compare yourself to.  Having said that, you have to also believe that you can be the best.  The greats martial artists trained hard, sometimes changing styles and techniques throughout their training life.  The people of the world who are the best at whatever they do….found a way to be the best but it wasn't the same for any two individuals.

Being the "best in the world" might be a bit difficult at first but set your sights on being the best in your dojo, neighborhood or even your family. Also remember that you won't be the best at everything… ever.  Even the most skilled martial artist has his field of specialty   You should do some research as to what would be a realistic goal and remember that success is in the pursuit of the goal not the attainment.

One of the ways to become the best is to do things different from how they have always been done.  What I mean to say is that by doing the same thing, only better….this becomes different (different from the norm).  To become better, faster, smoother, more accurate with more precise timing…..this is what sets someone apart from other martial artists.  Different for the sake of being different may not be useful but being different to improve effectiveness is a good thing.

Another way to become the best is to tackle the unfamiliar.  Choosing a lesser-known martial arts style and training diligently will give you success because you will have become an expert at a form of martial arts that not many people may be knowledegable of.  Your opponent will be thrown off by his own lack of knowledge.

Never underestimate the element of surprise.  The euphoric feeling of surprising your opponent can be yours over and over just by modifying old or using new techniques.  It's as simple as doing research.  Start taking notes about one move at a time and slowly over time you will compile the information as to how to train "differently".  Analyze your opponents' reactions to see if they actually create an opening for you that you might have missed before.

In conclusion, the fact that you want to be the best but aren't yet, should not bother you in the slightest.  It's determination and effort that makes people successful. Remember the Tortoise and the Hare (rabbit).  The rabbit was the fastest but the tortoise went along sure and steady until he won the race.  Life and martial arts are exactly the same (with a bit more in the middle)!