NOW OPEN: Black Belt Hall of Fame 2025 Nominations
- Black Belt Team
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Nominations Form
2025-2026 Black Belt Hall of Fame
The deadline for nominations is December 1, 2025.
Submit your nomination for the martial artist you believe is most deserving of recognition among the legendary figures of the Black Belt Hall of Fame
Click the button to make your nomination
Since its founding in 1968, the Black Belt Hall of Fame has represented the highest honor in martial arts achievement. Recognized as the most prestigious distinction in the discipline’s history, it has celebrated those whose skill, vision, and dedication have shaped the art form and inspired generations worldwide.
Over the decades, its honorees have included legendary figures such as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Cynthia Rothrock, Bill Wallace, Graciella Casillas, Dana White, Kathy Long, Ed Parker, and Jhoon Rhee — each a pioneer whose influence continues to define martial arts excellence.
In 2024, the Hall of Fame ceremony was presented live from Hollywood, California, marking one of the most memorable evenings in martial arts history. The inductees represented a distinguished assembly of leaders and innovators, including:
Mike Stone • Hatsuo Royama • Pam Grier • Mark Dacascos • Phillip Rhee • Ernie Reyes Jr. • Curtis Wong • Scott Coker • Chong Lee • John Sepuveda • Rigan Machado • Carlos Machado • Jean Jacques Machado • John Machado • Roger Machado • James Lew • Simon Rhee • Jeff Imada • Amit Elor
As we look ahead to the 2026 Hall of Fame Induction, nominations are now open for a new class of honorees to be formally announced in December 2025. With live induction ceremony to be announced in early 2026.
Inductees will be selected through a combination of reader nominations and voting, alongside evaluation by a panel of past inductees and the editorial committee of Black Belt Magazine.
Historic classes underscore the enduring prestige of this award: the 1976 inductees included Ed Parker, Jay T. Will, and Jeff Smith, while martial arts icons such as Benny Urquidez, Jhoon Rhee, and Ross Scott were later honored for their lifelong contributions to the art.
The original inductees of 1968
