Kim “Cultivator” Thomas and Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet strike a pose in solidarity as their date with KIA history is set—15 December 2015, Tuesday.
And what is the historical significance? Mr. Thomas will be completing the requirements for his fifth dan Black Belt, an accomplishment earning the title “Master” in the Karate Institute of America system, a feat never before attained in the KIA’s 36 year history.
The second part of the historical evening will witness Mr. Ligtvoet becoming the sixty-fourth Black Belt of the Kiado-Ryu. Interestingly, the sixty-third Black Belt was Kim Thomas, who earned his first dan on 17 July 2007—eight years ago!
The fifteenth of December will be the public aspect of the testing. There will also be a Black Belts only night on the prior Tuesday, 8 December in which any KIA Black Belt may attend and participate in the event. Times and place to be announced.