This is HUGE! On Thursday, 14 December 2023, Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet became only the 3ʳᵈ individual in Kiado-Ryu history to earn a MASTER BLACK BELT ranking! He is preceded by Kim “Cultivator” Thomas (1ˢᵗ) and Christopher “Growler” Grau (2ⁿᵈ). So … a well deserved CONGRATULATIONS, RAPTOR! The KIA officially began its life on 31 August 1979 and now, 44 years and over 3,300 students later, Raptor has risen to a “Master” ranking.
Thursday, 30 November 2023, was another auspicious day for Shaw “Wind” Shahriari as he easily passed his Green Belt test (with a little stress). Congratulations, young man! A fruitful—and joyous—accomplishment. “Great job, Wind!” Adding to the auspicious occasion was the presence of Kiado-Ryu Green Belt Aidan “Smasher” Ligtvoet—a once precocious young lad who has blossomed into a giant young man, now 17 years of age and a Senior in High School.
KNOCKOUT! It’s the primary goal and success of any fighter—a trophy for the victor’s wall. Knockouts don’t generally occur by luck. They are more often the result of design and opportunity. This KIA feature addresses the “Anatomy of a Knockout” when Allanna Jones was kayoed by Holly Holm. The intent of this assessment is not to disparage Allanna Jones but, rather, to be informative as to how not to get knocked out.
ATTAINS 2ᴺᴰ DEGREE BROWN BELT It was Wednesday, 25 October 2023, that a major accomplishment occurred at the Karate Institute of America. Guy McDonald, aka “Skull,” achieved his 2ⁿᵈ Degree Brown Belt ranking. This was a big deal, bigger than most Kiado-Ryu belt acknowledgements. It was also unique—a inspirational feat never before occurring in KIA history. Skull should be extremely proud of his accomplishment, as well as his entire family. CONGRATULATIONS, GUY!
In an ever-growing and hostile environment due to a law and order breakdown, millions of Americans are exercising their 2nd Amendment right to carry a firearm for their personal protection. Different states have different laws regarding carrying a firearm. In California, the legal right to do so falls into a category identified as “CCW” or “Concealed Carry Weapon.” One of the businesses offering CCW services and firearm training in Orange County is EliteCCW located at 18183 Euclid Street, Fountain Valley, CA, 92708.
It wasn’t a gunfight at the OK Corral but it was deadly. A lone shooter, retired sheriff John Snowling, shot his wife in the face and killed three innocent people at famous Cook’s Corner—a family restaurant in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, CA. The dead were identified as Tonya Clark, 49, of Scottsdale, Arizona; Glen Sprowl Jr., 53, of Stanton and John Leehey, 67, of Irvine. Snowling, whose motive apparently had to do with his wife’s filing for divorce, was killed in the massive gunfight.