Daito-ryu is a Japanese core style from which many modern variations have sprung. Shorinji kempo, hapkido, Kodokan judo and aiki are martial arts that were originated by disciples of daito-ryu that have since splintered into numerous modern variations of their own.
Daito-ryu aikijujutsu is one such splinter style that has somehow managed to adhere to the traditional teachings of its core style forerunner (daito-ryu) and its predecessor (aiki). But because of its adherence to tradition—and its insistence on retaining most of the more painful and deadly self-defense techniques—the martial art has remained relatively obscure.
Although there are several thousand disciples of the art in Japan, daito-ryu aikijujutsu is almost totally unknown in the United States. Most senior students of modern aikido know that their art descended from daito-ryu, but many are under the impression that the daito system became extinct several generations ago.
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Dr. Craig's Martial Arts Movie Lounge
When I was 16, taking 30 pills/day and in the hospital every three months, my doctor said I'd be dead in five years from cystic fibrosis (CF), a deadly disease that robbed me of my breath and ability to digest food. Moments away from death by suicide, I saw Bruce Lee's Big Boss (1971) and during his first fight when Lee venomously decked a thug with two lightening kicks, I howled like a banshee. In that moment, I went from being depressed and waiting to die, to wanting to live and learn what Lee was doing. I vowed that if I survived, I'd pay homage to Lee like no other.
<p>Through martial arts, I knew that I had one chance to survive, an ancient Chinese healing skill never taught to outsiders, <em>chi gong</em>. In 1979, against doctors' advice, couldn't speak Chinese, and with no job, money or place to stay, I moved to the chaotic, under strict martial law and distrusting-America Taiwan, where mixed-race love was vilified with forbidden fruit furor. At Chiang Kai-Shek Airport, the military charged me with weapon smuggling (wooden sticks), drug trafficking (CF pills) and threatened me with the death penalty. </p><p>Weeks later, I met Silvia, a devout Catholic and volunteer at a leper colony; it was love at first sight and three months later we were secretly engaged. Tearfully aware my death anon, she committed sociocultural suicide by pledging her love saying, "Little time with you, better no time with you."</p><p>As a token white dude on Kung Fu TV Soaps, butt-kicking fodder for the Chinese stars, I met an ascetic chi master who during the monsoons subjected me to a perilous, 30-day test of perseverance, endurance and worthiness on Monsoon Mountain. Coughing up blood, clinging to life and heartbroken by the loss of my soul mate, I faced ceaseless biblical rain, entities, an earthquake and a mudslide ate me for lunch. Five months later I was off all medication.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img alt="Kung Fu TV" class="rm-shortcode" data-height="700" data-rm-shortcode-id="a9e0ea35e670bdfbaf3866cf8adec1f7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-runner-src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQzNDY3Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNTYzNjk5MX0.AhG24mQtWQmBL1XsJb_ov5bJ4ECrSb4ieTxrlnnTWq0/image.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C92%2C0%2C92&height=700" data-width="1245" id="a304f" type="lazy-image"/>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Courtesy of Craig Reid</small></p>
<p>A year later, my final test occurred amid a violent typhoon where after being chased by cat-sized rats through waist-deep sewage flood waters, I practiced chi at a construction site rife with body-damaging flying debris. The sounds of spear-like bamboo poles whistling toward me with impaling force was a harrowing experience.<br/></p><p>Days later, a serious lung infection gave me a 105<sup>o</sup> F body temperature. Years prior would require upping antibiotics, a long hospital stay, intense therapy and months to fully recover. I completely recovered in three days without medication. </p><script async="" src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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</script><p>To prove chi helped me overcome CF, in 1986, with both lungs 30% deteriorated, I walked 3000 miles (marathon/day for 115 days) across America to Seattle, WA, to pay my respects to Lee's grave. President Ronald Reagan awarded me with a letter of bravery. I've been off all medication for 41 years, married 40 years and since 1987, Silvia and I have used chi healing to help others, including working with seven Olympic teams.</p><p>You're only limited by what you think you can't do.</p>
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NEW: Black Belt Hall of Fame Member Profiles (1968-1990)
January 15 | 2021
The Legendary Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame has never before been documented in a single location. Now, you can learn about all the icons that have achieved one of the greatest honors in all of martial arts.
Black Belt Magazine is proud to announce the NEW Member Profiles feature for the Hall of Fame. At the time of this article, the online records account for every inductee from the inaugural year of 1968 all the way through 1990 (upwards of 200 martial artists). The page will be updated continuously and will include every inductee through 2020 in the near future. For now, you can enjoy images and facts about the legendary members for each induction they received before 1991. Take advantage of this never-before-seen opportunity to learn about many of the martial artists who contributed to the lifestyle, culture, and community that every martial artist experiences today.

Capitan Petchyindee Academy will go for gold on January 22 at ONE: Unbreakable against Alaverdi "Babyface Killer" Ramazanov. But how he earned his shot is something that is worth revisiting.
To punch his ticket to a chance at the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship, Capitan all Capitan did was break a ONE Championship record for fastest ONE Super Series knockout in his promotional debut.
<p>At ONE: A New Breed III, Capitan met Petchtanong Petchfergus in a highly anticipated clash. But all it took was one punch from the Thai legend to stun the entire world.</p><p>After touching gloves, the two men exchanged with Capitan scoring a gorgeous and lightning-quick straight right hand. The official time of the bout was just six seconds.</p><p>Ramazanov will prove to be a bigger task for Capitan, but the Russian was undoubtedly put on notice by the Thai after that unforgettable performance. It makes the matchup all the more intriguing between the two elite strikers and should garner the attention of every kickboxing fan around the globe.</p>
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<span class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a56f53bed02fa9113307a61ca86bd0e1" style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" type="lazy-iframe" scrolling="no" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gmXnLNaVV8Y?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Capitan's INSANE 6-Second KO 🤯</small>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmXnLNaVV8Y" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
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<p>Can Capitan replicate the performance and enter into the ONE history books with another stunning KO? Or will Ramazanov defend his crown and prevent the upset? It is a can't-miss bantamweight battle to help kickstart the new year.<br/></p><p>2021 will get started with a bang one way or the other.</p><p>ONE: Unbreakable airs live on the B/R Live app on January 22 at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.</p>
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The UFC, along with their drug testing partner, the United States Anti-Doping Association, have announced that fighters who test positive for marijuana or other cannabinoid products will no longer be punished under their rules. Though fighters will still be prevented from competing under the influence of marijuana, those who test positive for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, through blood or urine screenings will not be considered in violation of anti-doping policies unless it can be shown the substance was taken for performance enhancement.
However, the UFC was quick to point out this only applies to their own regulations. State athletic commissions and other local sanctioning bodies are not effected by the decision and will continue to enforce their own drug policies and punishments for fighters who test positive while competing in their jurisdictions.
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