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Black Belt Team
12 minutes ago
Cover Story Throwback: Hiro Koda and Yuki Koda
The January 1992 cover of Black Belt Magazine showed world-class martial artists Hiro Koda and Yuki Koda . Hiro Koda would later work...

April Taylor and Chris Thomas
16 hours ago
Stop Freezing Under Pressure: The Simple Trick That Transforms Your Kata Into a Self-Defense Weapon!
You've Learned Your Kata. Now It's Time to Modify Them So You're Better Prepared to Defend Yourself Against Any Adversary! When facing a...

Mark Hatmaker
3 days ago
How Randomized Training Could Be the Key to Mastering Martial Arts – Or Destroying Your Skills!
I recently read an article that was critical of randomized training as it relates to the CrossFit Games. My immediate response was: A) I...

Black Belt Team
Feb 2
Cover Story Throwback: Tony Dorsett
Tony Dorsett, the legendary "Hawk" and College and NFL Hall of Famer, appeared on the cover of Fighting Stars in December 1981. Learn...

Black Belt Team
Jan 30
Cover Story Throwback: George Iversen
The September 1980 cover of Black Belt featured Kajukenbo Grandmaster George Iversen , founder of the Hawaiian Kajukenbo Association....

Mark Hatmaker
Jan 29
Self-Taught Martial Arts Mastery: The Way of the Autodidact
Eastern arts, for the most part, have a built-in hierarchy of adherence to lineage and tradition. In other words, “My master was taught...

Lamar M. Davis II
Jan 28
Brush Up on Your Scientific Self-Defense! 5 Jeet Kune Do Fighting Principles
Martial arts phenom Bruce Lee reached his peak in the late 1960s and early ’70s and then, as we all know, tragically passed away in 1973...

Tom Callos
Jan 27
The Martial Artist’s Guide to Hip Health: Stories and Strategies from Martial Arts Icons (Part 2)
I started taking formal martial art lessons in 1971 at age 11. By the time I tested for my first degree black belt in 1979, I was already...

Black Belt Team
Jan 26
Cover Story Throwback: Ishmael Robles
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...

Black Belt Team
Jan 23
Cover Story Throwback: Aaron Norris
What other Norris was an acclaimed martial artist? The great Aaron Norris graced the May 1989 cover of Black Belt Magazine — a star in...

Dave Lowry
Jan 22
This Okinawan Karate Trick Will Transform Your Strikes—Here’s How!
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...

Tom Callos
Jan 21
The Martial Artist’s Guide to Hip Health: Stories of Recovery from Champions and Celebrities (Part 1)
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...

Black Belt Team
Jan 20
Discover Your Inner Warrior: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Martial Art for You in 2025!
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...

Hayward Nishioka
Jan 20
The Untold History of Judo in America: How It Went From Unknown to Iconic
In addition to forgetting, one of the problems with aging—oddly enough—is remembering. "I remember when you could get a cup of coffee for...

Black Belt Team
Jan 19
Cover Story Throwback: Lori Lantrip
Who were the dominant female fighters of the '80s? Today, we’re spotlighting Karate Illustrated’s July 1984 cover, featuring one of the...

Tom Callahan
Jan 18
Thinking About Teaching Martial Arts? Know THIS First!
Thoughts on Being an Effective Sensei To be an effective teacher, one must first adopt the mindset of a student. A teacher should...

Black Belt Team
Jan 16
Cover Story Throwback: Kenneth Funakoshi
Is the Reverse Punch the Most Lethal Move in Shotokan karate? Master Kenneth Funakoshi demonstrates the perfect reverse punch in this...

Burton Richardson
Jan 14
7 Silat Solutions That Are Illegal in Competition But Perfect for Close-Quarters Combat!
With the popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) competition continuing to climb on television and online, martial artists of all stripes...

Floyd Burk
Jan 13
Superfoot's Stories: Bill Wallace Reflects on a Lifetime of Martial Arts!
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...

Black Belt Team
Jan 12
Cover Story Throwback: Ray McCallum
Who Was Texas' Greatest Blood-and-Guts Fighter? The April 1982 Fighting Stars cover featured one of the greatest champions of the...

Justin Lee Ford
Jan 11
How An Ancient Japanese Practice Can Help You Crush Your 2025 Goals!
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...

Black Belt Team
Jan 9
Cover Story Throwback: Joe Hess
The May 1982 Black Belt Magazine cover featured former heavyweight champion, weapons expert and Hollywood stuntman Joe Hess . The...

Antonio Graceffo
Jan 9
The Surprising Connection Between Vietnamese Martial Arts and Chinese Kung Fu
Vo co truyen is a blanket term for the traditional Vietnamese martial arts. It encompasses kicking, punching, forms and weapons skills,...

Terry Wilson
Jan 7
Judo Gene LeBell: Martial Arts, Stunts, and the Secrets to Lifelong Success
There are people who swear “Judo” Gene LeBell has practiced martial arts for so long that an image of him putting King Tut in an armbar...
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