Tejas Maniar, in 1998, during his Black Belt coronation. Tejas today, in 2013, as a business executive.
Tejas “Wolverine” Maniar is the 57th Black Belt of the Karate Institute of
America. Tejas is pictured above with Anna “Wildcat” Griffin as she
congratulates him on his 1st Dan Black Belt achievement in 1998.
Now, in 2013, Wolverine is a successful business executive. Way to go, Tejas!
We’re all extremely proud of you, your accomplishments, and for being a vital
building block in our rich Kiado-Ryu legacy and history.
Dr. Milton “Super Zedha” Jacobson is the third Black Belt of the Karate
Institute of America. A great inspiration, Dr. J. began his martial arts
studies at the age of 54 and earned his first degree Black Belt at the age of
60 in 1984!
He has always been a great inspiration and major icon in the history of the
KIA. But where is Dr. J. today? Multiple efforts have failed to locate him.
Has he passed on? Living elsewhere? If anyone knows where Dr. Jacobson is, we
who love him would be grateful for an update. Please
contact Mr. King.
Thank you!
Surrounding Hannah and Mr. King, posing in the center of the photo, are, in the back row, from left to right: Black Belt Kim “Cultivator” Thomas, Grandpa Shamassian, Mr. Shamassian, Mrs. Shamassian, and Aunt Silva; in the front row, from left to right: Josh “Viper” Shamassian, Aidan and Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet. Photographer, Mrs. Ligtvoet (not pictured).
Hannah “Hannibal” Shamassian poses with her mom, JoAnn, and brother, Josh, aka
“Viper.” Hannah will be testing for her orange belt on June 4. She has
prepared extremely well and we are all looking forward to her test.
Jake “Achilles” Dale nails Mr. King with a right backfist during his first
sparring session. Obviously, he’s going to be a handful in the not-too-distant
future. Achilles is definitely his mother’s son (Annette “Warrior” Dale).
Kim “Cultivator” Thomas has fun spoofing The Karate Kid’s iconic crane
stance featured in the popular 1984 movie. Cultivator, along with Chris
“Growler” Grau, are on pace to earn their 4th Dan Black Belt rating in the
Fall of this year—an accomplishment that has only been achieved by Dan “Basai”
Asay among the 3,000 plus students in the Karate Institute of America’s
thirty-four year history.
