Posing with one of his trophies in 1991 is David “Nails” Mooney, the 19th Black Belt of the Karate Institute of America. David was given his call sign “Nails” because he was as tough as nails. A relentless individual in his studies, David gave one of the best black belt testing performances in Kiado-Ryu history. He had prepared himself so well that even today, twenty-years later, his work ethic lives on and sets a standard for others to follow.

Kiado-Ryu Black Belt (#36) Christopher “Growler” Grau demonstrates on 1st degree Brown belt Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet how to check and counter a low body blow. Chris has developed excellent hand skills worthy of mention, hand skills that are quick, clean, and powerful.

Purple Belt Adam “Frog” Mahan delivers a palm strike to the chin of Black Belt Kim “Cultivator” Thomas, who is always the perfect dummy partner. Kim should be in show business! Mr. Mahan, too, for that matter! In fact, Frog is quite theatrical and has been performing in live theater productions throughout Southern California for the past several years. Agents, are you listening?

Pictured left to right: Dr. Tim “Odin” McCord (2nd Dan), Christopher “Growler” Grau (3rd Dan), Richard “Whitefire” King (Grandmaster, Kiado-Ryu), Kim “Cultivator” Thomas (3rd Dan), Adam “Frog” Mahan (Purple belt), and Justin (“Raptor”) Ligtvoet (2nd Brown).

Iain MacLeod with his lovely wife, Lizzy, and their 14 year old equally lovely daughter, Josie, in Rome, 2009. Iain won the very first KIA trophy in November 1991, beginning a deluge of KIA championships. Iain “Scotty” MacLeod was a legend during the early days of the Karate Institute of America. A ferocious fighter, Iain brought back the first Championship to the KIA, championships which grew to literally hundreds of first place trophies during its competitive history.

On the left, Tejas “Wolverine” Maniar, in 1998, during his Black Belt coronation. On the right, Tejas today, in 2013, as a business executive. Tejas “Wolverine” Maniar is the 57th Black Belt of the Karate Institute of America. Tejas is pictured here with Anna “Wildcat” Griffin as she congratulates him on his 1st Dan Black Belt achievement in 1998. Now, in 2013, Wolverine is a successful business executive. Way to go, Tejas!