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...

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...

Who were the dominant female fighters of the '80s? Today, we’re spotlighting Karate Illustrated’s July 1984 cover, featuring one of the...

Thoughts on Being an Effective Sensei  To be an effective teacher, one must first adopt the mindset of a student. A teacher should...

Is the Reverse Punch the Most Lethal Move in Shotokan karate? Master Kenneth Funakoshi demonstrates the perfect reverse punch in this...

Black Belt: If you would never have had the accident that wrecked your right knee and led you to start your career in karate, do you...

When was the last time you truly failed? It’s a question we’d all rather ignore. We’re often taught to gauge success by how well we avoid...

The sport karate scene in 2024 has been nothing short of thrilling, with groundbreaking achievements, game-changing moves, and plenty of...

The February 1980 issue of Fighting Stars  showcased Chuck Norris in his prime, facing off against the muscular Bill "Superfoot" Wallace...

In the earliest days of martial arts competition, fighters stepped into bare-knuckle matches with nothing but their skill and reputation...