Steven J. Vertun, aka “Coyote,” is the 39th Black Belt of the Karate Institute
of America and the Kiado-Ryu system of martial arts. His performance
excellence led him to become the North American Sports Karate Association
(NASKA) National kata (forms) Champion in 1993. To achieve this esteemed goal,
Steve traveled to thirteen venues throughout the United States, compiling
victory after victory, which ultimately led him to be the Best of the Best at
his rank in the entire country. Pretty amazing. Check this out.
Stavroula Avramidis, “Stav” to her friends, is not just a gal with a gun,
she’s the Instructor and Founder of “She Equips Herself”—a business Equipping
women with the tools they need to feel safe and confident no matter the
situation.
Stav is not just a pretty face, she’s an expert shooter with lethal firearm
skills. Don’t believe it? Check out this instructional YouTube video where she
and her boyfriend, Robert MacQuarrie, aka “Mac,” a former range coach and
primary marksmanship instructor for the Marine Corps, discuss sight alignment,
trigger control, accuracy and more. You will instantly become a believer after
watching this 26:42 minute video.
Shaw “Wind” Shahriari is the newest member of the Kiado-Ryu family. Heralding
from Tehran—the largest city and capital of Iran—Wind is an extraordinary
individual. A business man in the automotive field, Shaw has extensive
experience in other martial art styles and is now a solid student of the
Karate Institute of America. In the following photo Wind is adorning a white
belt as his KIA journey begins. Notice the smile.
It’s awesome how KIA Black Belts remember what they learned during their
Kiado-Ryu journey. Here’s a prime example. It’s funny, cogent, but a tad
painful to watch.
Liz Avram, aka “Quasar,” is the 46th Black Belt of the Karate Institute of
America. She received her first dan Ranking on 10 August 1996, not exactly
yesterday, but her memory is as sharp as a chef’s cooking knife.
Quasar forwarded the following GIF image of a man attempting to mount a horse
from the rear. Note her astute observation …
Alfred Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate of England, 1809–1892
He hardly looks like a warrior, doesn’t he? Yet, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Poet
Laureate of England during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901), was a
warrior, as we all are, frankly.
In fact, each of us goes to war every day, battling issues specific to our
karma. No one is immune from the fray, from being forced to fight both our
external problems and internal demons. It’s part of life in this world.
Martial Arts competitions offer a wonderful opportunity for those so disposed
to perform their craft and show their expertise. In the Black Belt weapons
division—where the bo was featured—there has been no more elegant, dynamic and
powerful performer than Mike Bernardo. Back in the 1980s and 1990s when karate
tournaments flourished, he was “the” quintessential bo performer and champion.
The following 1990 video, taken from YouTube, showcases Bernardo’s performance
in the Weapons Division of the New England Open. It was and remains a stellar
example of performance excellence. As you will note, it has the elements of
precision, power, perfection, variation, intensity, vocalization, beauty and
grace of movement.
