The November 1973 edition of Karate Illustrated featured Emil Farkas , widely known as the “Karate Instructor to the Stars.” As the...

The January 1974 cover of Karate Illustrated featured “Super Dan” Anderson , founder of American Freestyle Karate. A four-time national...

The September 1969 issue of Karate Illustrated featured a young Pat Burleson alongside an even younger Pat Johnson—two trailblazers whose...

The December 1982 cover of Karate Illustrated featured Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, alongside his wife, Lisa. Sliwa...

Many Black Belt  readers may be familiar with the Japanese phrase ken ki tai ichi . It means that one’s weapon ( ken , which can be...

Who remembers this iconic cover—the July 1975 issue of Karate Illustrated ? It inspired decades of look-alike poses, emulated by martial...

Here’s one for you to kick around with your dojo mates the next time you’re relaxing after training. It was back in the 1960s, a time...

The May 1988 cover of Karate/Kung Fu Illustrated spotlighted Jean Frenette , a 10-time Canadian kata champion and WAKO World Champion....

Think you know your Karate history?  Meet David Deaton —Karate Shihan and beloved champion. Named the #1 Lightweight Fighting Competitor...

Using a serrated bread knife, can you cut a baguette, a loaf of French bread, in a single stroke? If you can't, you have work to do in...

The May 1975 cover of Karate Illustrated featured Parker Shelton , a leading competitor in judo and karate during the 1970s. Ranked as...

“You can’t define someone else’s success—choose your own path in martial arts and life” –Stephan Kesting In this episode of The Black...

Black Belt Magazine showcased Hirokazu Kanazawa on the cover of the May 1987 issue. Widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in...

Featured on the cover of Karate Illustrated ’s January 1971 issue, the incredible Thomas LaPuppet stands as a defining figure in...

When the scenario is laid out, when you know what attacks will come and how you’re expected to respond, you can be forced to employ...

Much Emphasized, Yet Least Discussed One of the most emphasized yet least talked about karate techniques is kata—the dance-like series of...

Louis Delgado, who appeared on the December 1970 cover of Karate Illustrated , was one of the greatest fighters ever to emerge from the...

Karate Master Fumio Demura , renowned for his expertise and contributions to martial arts, strikes powerfully on the cover of the April...

The July 1970 cover of Karate Illustrated   featured Chuck Norris , already a rising martial arts star. He would go on to win a total of...

When you think of The Karate Kid  and Cobra Kai , what comes to mind? The legendary crane kick? The clash between aggressive violence and...

In the 60s and 70s, Texas was known as the toughest place in the world to compete in tournament karate. Featured on the cover of the...

Words matter. But do they matter as much as action in the karate dojo? Not really. You can talk a great game, wax philosophically for an...

Let's face it: As martial artists, we embrace activities that ask a lot from our bodies. Chances are, you know someone who’s asked a little too much from his or her hips and, consequently, is suffering hip pain. Maybe you know someone who’s already undergone surgery to deal with the problem. It’s for martial artists like you that Black Belt  assigned me this article. It explores the hip health stories of some prominent practitioners and explores the options for preserving and

In today’s fast-paced world, martial arts have become more than just a means of self-defense—they’re a lifestyle. Whether you’re looking...