Kurt Hoberg
“Raphael”
Kiado-Ryu Black Belt #21, 1st Dan
25 April 1992
How interesting is destiny. Kurt Hoberg met his wife, Rose, through his mother who was a student at the KIA and, in fact, was a classmate of Rose's and, to make the story more interesting, both were pictured kneeling side-by-side in an 80s group class photo!
Rose and Raphael, KIA Black Belts whose numbers are 12 & 21. Coincidence? Does it really matter? They're book ends, both alliteratively and numerally and wonderful assets to the Kiado-Ryu.
Raphael was the tall silent type, very kind and respectful but also very creative and … a weapons aficionado. His specialty was the sai, a weapon used to counter samurai swords. It's a three pronged fork, basically, with the two outer prongs flared and used as trapping devices. Over the years Kurt gave KIA audiences many memorable moments as he delivered beautiful and graceful sai katas during his belt tests and public performances.
To this day, Kurt and Rose Hoberg remain the only husband and wife Kiado-Ryu black belts and we are grateful to have them in our system.