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...

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...

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...

With the popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) competition continuing to climb on television and online, martial artists of all stripes...

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...

Who Was Texas' Greatest Blood-and-Guts Fighter? The April 1982 Fighting Stars  cover featured one of the greatest champions of the...

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 May 1982 Black Belt Magazine cover featured former heavyweight champion, weapons expert and Hollywood stuntman Joe Hess . The...

Vo co truyen is a blanket term for the traditional Vietnamese martial arts. It encompasses kicking, punching, forms and weapons skills,...

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...

Full-contact combat sports, such as MMA, boxing, and Muay Thai, require athletes to push their physical and mental limits. While...

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...

“I’m an accountant,” the reader wrote. “I know finance. I know my sensei is making a bad decision with respect to an investment he’s...

We kick off the year strong, featuring the October/November 2019 Black Belt cover with Black Belt Hall of Famer Carlos Machado —the...

The martial arts industry is shaped by a diverse array of power players—whether they are screen stars, elite athletes dominating the mat,...

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...

Champion, master, and stuntman Chip Wright of Oregon graces the October 1988 cover of Karate/Kung-fu Illustrated  with his signature...

As we reflect on an incredible year filled with monumental moments in martial arts, Black Belt Magazine is proud to celebrate its first...

During the 10 years Leo Fong knew Bruce Lee, the two shared countless discussions about martial arts. Lee was particularly fascinated by...