What better way to start off 2017 than with a Raptor vs. Raptor Dad tête-à-tête.

Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet (KIA Black Belt #64) mixes it up with his dad, Ed Ligtvoet, in a light sparring duel. Although Mr. Ligtvoet is not an official KIA student, at least not yet, he does have a military background, having served in the Royal Netherlands Army as a younger man.

Raptor’s success as a martial artist was certainly aided by his father, who would always mix in up with his elder son as he was growing up. Ed is one tough dude, and he made sure his son was equally matched.

The Hawk flew into the Karate Institute of America in the 1980s, developed his martial arts skills, became a champion fighting and forms competitor, and moved deeply into the Brown Belt rankings until his destiny forced him in the 1990s to spread his wings and fly to other regions. However, as destiny would also demand, he returned to his KIA home for an awesome visit and get-together with Mr. King, sharing stories of old and great events of daring-do.

It was a very special night at Steve Vertun’s Segue office party, as four Karate Institute of America Black Belts were reunited for a wonderful Christmas reunion.

Coyote’s business, Segue, is dynamically successful due to his exceptional leadership and managerial skill. Plus, as was evident, his staff reflects qualities of excellence, loyalty, hard work and business acumen, like their boss. It was an inspiring evening to be around such a body of people.

The Karate Institute of America has a new star on the horizon, but it isn’t a martial arts star, at least not yet. Who is it?

Pictured with Mr. King is his eldest grandson, Ciaran, aka Lightning, a hockey stud and star on the horizon! This pic was taken in October at a Saturday morning practice at the local hockey rink in the Boston area.

And is this kid ever a stud! At only six years old he’s skating like a champ already. He’s fast, quick, intense and skilled. How could he not be? His dad, Dan, was a university hockey goalie who was also a semi-pro athlete, playing his hockey in the United States, France and Sweden. His mom, Chandra, not to be out done, was a star forward on her university soccer team. So … Lightning has a great lineage behind him, and it’s showing!

The Karate Institute of America is deeply saddened to share the news that Grandpa Shamassian, Hannah’s paternal grandfather, has passed on.

Our entire KIA family sends its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to all of the Shamassian family, especially Grandma Shamassian and the loss of her cherished husband.

Grandpa Shamassian, pictured in the wheel chair at Hannah’s Purple Belt test in July of 2016, was a loving, kind, gentle, intelligent, supportive, impressive human being—first class all the way.

Clark “Flash” Hyman, the sixteenth Black Belt of the Karate Institute of America, along with his over-55 tennis buddies, won the USTA National Championship in Arizona a couple weeks ago. So … Congratulations to you, Flash, and your team! National championships are hard to come by. Way to go!

In the group photo below, Clark is in the front row, third from the left, aqua tee shirt.

The Orange County team representing Southern California defeated a team from Fairfax, VA, 3-0 in the championship match on Sunday, October 30. Earlier in the day, the Orange County team defeated the team from Beverly, MA, 2-1, in the semifinals. They advanced this far by going undefeated, winning their round-robin flight contested Oct. 28-29.