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...

As Okinawan Goju-Ryu master Seikichi Toguchi liked to point out, the role of the legs in his style of karate is primarily locomotion....

Bill Wallace is a true living legend, a man who’s regarded as the world’s greatest kicker by nearly everyone in the martial arts...

"Fear is not my enemy; it is a friend. Fear is only allowing me to see an aspect of myself I was not willing to look at." – Mike Stone In...

The word legend  conjures up images of larger-than-life figures who have performed unbelievable feats over the years. In the realm of...

There is a moment, in some rituals of the tea ceremony, that calls for the kettle to be lifted from the charcoal brazier that heats it....

The May 1972 issue of Karate Illustrated  showcased a legend on its cover: Jim Kelly facing off in a sparring match, giving a glimpse of...

Southern pride Keith Vitali graced the May 1980 cover of Karate Illustrated , marking the start of the flashy 80s era. A former Karate...

This article was published in the April 1974 issue of Fighting Stars magazine, a sister publication of Black Belt. That means it appeared...

Black Belt Magazine publisher George Chung recently moderated the premiere screening of "90 Day Black Belt Challenge Accepted" on Monday

The practice of martial arts in the United States started small and was mostly limited to World War II veterans