Our Great KIA Scottish Legacy
Iain MacLeod with his lovely wife, Lizzy, and their 14 year old equally lovely daughter, Josie, in Rome, 2009. Iain won the very first KIA trophy in November 1991, beginning a deluge of KIA championships.
Wolverine: Then & Now
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.
Where's Dr. Milton Jacobson?
Where’s Dr. Milton Jacobson?
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!
Hannibal Earns Her KIA Orange Belt
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
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.
Go Hannibal!
Achilles: Warrior Instincts
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).