She was the most driven young student in the history of the Karate Institute of America, and the most competitively accomplished. Juliette Williamson, call sign “J.W.,”, began her KIA journey at the tender young age of eight. Extraordinarily, by age twelve in 1985, she became the fourth adult-ranked Black Belt of the Kiado-Ryu. It is hard to believe that was twenty-eight years ago. Time truly does march on and waits for no man, but even so, it cannot erase wonderful memories and accomplishments of one young lady, accomplishments well-deserved through hard work, drive, determination, courage, talent, and ambition.

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) Chris “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 (second dan), Chris “Growler” Grau (third dan), Richard “Whitefire” King (Grandmaster, Kiado-Ryu), Kim “Cultivator” Thomas (third dan), Adam “Frog” Mahan (purple belt), and Justin (“Raptor”) Ligtvoet (second Brown).