From The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master. Within the heart emotions stir. Failure is not what we prefer; but yet, the victors all confer - The Road To Success Is Paved With Failure. We live in a dual dimension. There is positive; there is negative. There is day; there is night. There is high; there is low; masculine and feminine; hard and soft; hot and cold; on and off; up and down, war and peace and … success and failure.
There’s often a lot more to KIA practitioners than martial arts. Last week we featured Steve “Coyote” Vertun and his wonderful song Ghost. This week we take you back to the mid 1990s with troubadours Richard & Richard, a Karate Institute of America singer/songwriter duo who played locally at various venues including the San Juan Capistrano Mission and The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano where they occasionally performed as an opening act for nationally known touring singers and bands.
In Memoriam A KIA Black Belt’s Ghost Steve “Coyote” Vertun, KIA Black Belt #39, has experienced the most horrific event in a parent’s life—the passing of his son, Alexander. In his son’s memory, Steve has written, sung, performed and produced a music CD whose anchor song is GHOST—a must-see beautiful tribute in word, song and production. It should also be noted that Coyote’s music engineer is the KIA’s own Jerry “Shuto” Alston, the 28th Black Belt of the Kiado-Ryu.
Billed with high expectations, the Ronda Rousey–Amanda Nunes fight was UFC’s 207th main event showcase. It was held on 30 December 2016, in Las Vegas. It was Rousey’s first fight since being knocked out via the striking arsenal of Holly Holm on 15 November 2015, when Holm’s left roundhouse kick to the head topped off the final blow to “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey in the second round, leading to her devastating defeat in the octagon during UFC 193 and further leading to her loss of the women’s UFC World Bantamweight Championship title.
What better way to start off 2017 than with a Raptor vs. Raptor Dad tête-à-tête. Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet (KIA Black Belt #64) mixes it up with his dad, Ed Ligtvoet, in a light sparring duel. Although Mr. Ligtvoet is not an official KIA student, at least not yet, he does have a military background, having served in the Royal Netherlands Army as a younger man. Raptor’s success as a martial artist was certainly aided by his father, who would always mix in up with his elder son as he was growing up.
The Hawk flew into the Karate Institute of America in the 1980s, developed his martial arts skills, became a champion fighting and forms competitor, and moved deeply into the Brown Belt rankings until his destiny forced him in the 1990s to spread his wings and fly to other regions. However, as destiny would also demand, he returned to his KIA home for an awesome visit and get-together with Mr. King, sharing stories of old and great events of daring-do.
It was a very special night at Steve Vertun’s Segue office party, as four Karate Institute of America Black Belts were reunited for a wonderful Christmas reunion. Coyote’s business, Segue, is dynamically successful due to his exceptional leadership and managerial skill. Plus, as was evident, his staff reflects qualities of excellence, loyalty, hard work and business acumen, like their boss. It was an inspiring evening to be around such a body of people.
The Karate Institute of America has a new star on the horizon, but it isn’t a martial arts star, at least not yet. Who is it? Pictured with Mr. King is his eldest grandson, Ciaran, aka Lightning, a hockey stud and star on the horizon! This pic was taken in October at a Saturday morning practice at the local hockey rink in the Boston area. And is this kid ever a stud!
The Karate Institute of America is deeply saddened to share the news that Grandpa Shamassian, Hannah’s paternal grandfather, has passed on. Our entire KIA family sends its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to all of the Shamassian family, especially Grandma Shamassian and the loss of her cherished husband. Grandpa Shamassian, pictured in the wheel chair at Hannah’s Purple Belt test in July of 2016, was a loving, kind, gentle, intelligent, supportive, impressive human being—first class all the way.
Clark “Flash” Hyman, the sixteenth Black Belt of the Karate Institute of America, along with his over-55 tennis buddies, won the USTA National Championship in Arizona a couple weeks ago. So … Congratulations to you, Flash, and your team! National championships are hard to come by. Way to go! In the group photo below, Clark is in the front row, third from the left, aqua tee shirt. The Orange County team representing Southern California defeated a team from Fairfax, VA, 3-0 in the championship match on Sunday, October 30.