This is a fun photo! From our KIA 1992 Black Belt Archives are (from left to right): Thomas “Draco” Lindsey (#52), Kurt “Raphael” Hoberg (#21), Doug “Doc” McGregor (#20), and Eric “E.T.” Tan (#22). Hard to believe it’s been twenty-two years since this “Black Belt Stair Steps” photo was taken.

Barracuda parries a front kick from Raptor as they prepare for their upcoming tests at the end of August. For Raptor it will be his seventh KIA test, moving up the ladder from white belt. It will be Zemia’s second test. First was Orange belt and now Purple. Exciting time!

Kim “Cultivator” Thomas gives a hearty thumbs up to Zemia “Barracuda” Garrett after she visited the Black/Brown belt class in preparation for her upcoming test later this month.

Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet and Zemia “Barracuda” Garrett pose, reluctantly, during a forced photo op in order to highlight their upcoming tests in late August. Raptor will be going for his 3rd degree Brown Belt and Barracuda will be testing for her Purple Belt. Best wishes to them both!

Zemia “Barracuda” Garrett joins the guys as she prepares for her upcoming Purple Belt test. Barracuda will be testing at the same time that Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet tests for his 3rd degree Brown Belt. Remember when Raptor was small? Not any more, to the chagrin of us who have to fight him!

In a playful moment, Kim “Cultivator” Thomas executes a drop punch to perpetrator Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet as a retaliatory strike to Raptor’s earlier attack. How the boys love to have fun!