What a wonderful Christmas gift! Todd “Thunderpunch” Alston, visiting from back East, dropped by to pay Mr. King a visit. It was a great Christmas gift from Todd, who was one of the Karate Institute of America’s stalwart students in the 1980s. Todd’s contributions to the KIA in that era are prodigious. His intensity, courage, skill, support, and fighting expertise earned him enormous respect among other Kiado-Ryu students as well as his adversaries.
Hannah “Hannibal” Shamassian expresses her creative flair in wearing “Rainbow” leggings for her private karate lesson. But don’t let the fancy colors fool you. Hannah wasn’t named for one of the greatest military generals of all time, Hannibal, for no good reason. She is one tough … but feminine … young woman. We’re glad she’s on our side! I’m sure we’ll see more of her creative flair as her Karate Institute of America journey continues.
Jake, aka, “Achilles,” son of “Warrior”, strikes a pose as he practices during one of his Orange belt lessons while studying for his Purple belt. Achilles is one of the finest young men you could ever meet, as well as being a first class athlete and martial artist. And to think that he is only ten years old!
Congratulations to Zemia “Barracuda” Garrett on the accomplishment of her Karate Institute of America Orange Belt ranking. Barracuda, who is in the manufacturing business, has a roundhouse kick that would rival those of higher level martial artists. We look forward to watching her progress, as she tackles her Purple Belt ranking with the ferociousness of a true barracuda!
Mr. King congratulates Christopher “Growler” Grau and Kim “Cultivator” Thomas on the extremely noteworthy achievement of their 4th Dan Black Belt ranking. Messrs. Grau and Thomas of the Karate Institute of America achieved this distinguished rank on 22 October 2013. They are the highest ranking active Black Belts in the Kiado-Ryu martial arts system.
Congratulations to Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet on the accomplishment of his 2nd Degree Brown Belt on 22 October 2013. Raptor is fifteen years of age. With Mr. King on the conferring panel are Black Belts Christopher “Growler” Grau and Kim “Cultivator” Thomas.
