Great fighters are great thinkers. Battles are won with brain, not brawn. Sun Tzu’s words of avoiding peril are as universally true today as they were in his time.

It’s hard to believe how fast time flies. Yet, the special memories of days-gone-by fortunately do not die but forever remain imprinted on those of us who lived them. So many Black Belts have sent emails recalling, and being grateful for, the glorious past and brotherhood they created through their enormous personal gifts and exceptional energies. The following photo was taken on Saturday, 9 June 1990, at our KIA studio in Lake Forest, CA, after a Black Belt Coronation ceremony honoring Rod “Rock” Hickman, Eric “EV” Vind, Ken “Ramjet” Rogers (now Anderson) and Rose “Renegade” Hoberg.

The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone. — Henrik Ibsen I am sure of this, that by going much alone a man will get more of a noble courage in thought and word than from all the wisdom that is in books. — Ralph Waldo Emerson We must learn to live with ourselves, independently of anything in this world. — Saint Charan Singh

An excerpt from The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master Symbol before substance - pandemic renowned. Symbol before substance - deluded clown. Substance Before Symbol - turn it around. Substance Before Symbol - deservéd crown! ~ © Richard Andrew King Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. ~ Aesop Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.

CONGRATULATIONS SMASHER, aka Aidan Ligtvoet, on being promoted to Purple Belt! Aidan’s test was on 6 August 2019. Pictured from left to right are his brother, Tristan, aka “Raptor” (the 64th Black Belt of the Kiado-Ryu who currently holds a 2nd Dan ranking); mom Atousa and dad Edward. Smasher’s journey to Purple Belt was a long one but highly inspirational. Aidan is the epitome of the #1 quality common to all successful people, and especially those distinguished individuals who became Kiado-Ryu Black Belts—persistence.

The goal of sparring is not to beat up our opponent but to learn from the experience. In actual combat, the goal is to win, to defeat our opponent. However, in sparring the goal is to gain valuable knowledge of combat in a controlled environment, bearing in mind that the “Process is the Product,” not victory or defeat. What does the sparring process teach us? Actually, the more germane question is, “What does sparring not teach us?