Congratulations new blue belts, Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet (left) and Josh “Viper” Shamassian (right)! These two young men are rising stars in the Kiado-Ryu, ascending studs to be sure. This last test was excellent, both boys exhibiting vast improvement in their abilities. Pictured with Raptor and Viper are (from left-to-right), Black Belts Kim “Cultivator” Thomas, Chris “Growler” Grau, Mr. King, and Mike “Shooter” Benedict.

The date: October 13, 2009.

The event: Tristan Ligtvoet and Josh Shamassian’s Blue Belt test.

From left-to-right are, Kim “Cultivator” Thomas, Tristan, Chris “Growler” Grau, Josh, Mike “Shooter” Benedict, and Mr. King (kneeling in front). The boys did an excellent job during their testing, as confirmed by the Black Belt panel. More to come, stay tuned.

Pictured left-to-right are Chris, Christa, and Kaylee Grau. Chris “Growler” Grau is the 36th Black Belt of the Karate Institute of America, the webmaster of Kiado-Ryu.com, and will soon be testing for his 3rd Dan, a prestigious rank of considerable achievement, which will make him the highest ranking active Black Belt at the KIA. Christa, his lovely wife, heralds from Arizona. Kaylee was soon to be a year old when this photo was taken.

Lou and Linda Gacs have been devoted and long-time friends of Mr. King and the Karate Institute of America. Each is an accomplished Black Belt, Lou holding multiple black belts in different styles. Mr. King first met Mr. Gacs, a now-retired United States Marine, when he was hosting martial arts tournaments at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in the mid-1980s. Although not an official Kiado-Ryu Black Belt, Mr. Gacs is one of our own, a true friend, an unrelenting KIA supporter, and a black belt of uncompromising character. We are truly blessed to have had his and Linda’s loyal support throughout the KIA’s history.

Pictured here at the KIA 30th Anniversary Celebration at Dana Point Harbor is the Dale family.

Annette “Warrior” Dale and her husband, Mark, are accompanied by their beautiful children, Sophia and Jake (also known as “Black Stripe” around the Karate Institute of America). Beautiful smiles!

Kim “Cultivator” Thomas kneels in a moment of repose before he performs a kata during his 2nd Dan Black Belt test at the Karate Institute of America. Of the current sixty-three Black Belts of the Kiado-Ryu, Mr. Thomas is currently the eleventh 2nd Dan in the thirty year history of the KIA.