Black Belt Magazine April/May 2018

Trekking to Las Vegas every summer for the Martial Arts Super-Show, put on annually by the Martial Arts Industry Association, is something of a tradition here at Black Belt for a number of reasons. First, it’s Vegas. No matter how hard Atlantic City tries, there can be only one Vegas. And no matter how nice Southern California is, Vegas is … Vegas. But there’s much more than that. We always look forward to going because it gives us a chance to hobnob with the cream of the crop of the martial arts community. We get to shake hands with hundreds of instructors and school owners from across the country and a few from abroad while listening to them explain where they think the industry is headed and what they would…

David C.K. Lin spent his formative years in the Republic of China (Taiwan) under the personal guidance of the legendary Chang Dung-sheng. Few men have had the chance to experience greatness the way David C.K. Lin did. As a student, competitor and master, he lived a life that was dedicated to developing his art of shuai chiao to its fullest expression. In an era when few train with only one teacher for the entirety of their lives, Lin spent his formative years in the Republic of China (Taiwan) under the personal guidance of the legendary Chang Dung-sheng, one of the most fearsome and recognized martial artists ever produced by China. Lin never studied with anyone else. Not only did David Lin have a unique opportunity to learn directly under the…

On August 3, 2016, the International Olympic Committee announced it would add five sports for the 2020 Games in Tokyo, allowing karate to make its first appearance as an Olympic event after more than four decades of failed attempts. The Olympic acceptance was a milestone for amateur karate, as well as a dream come true for millions of enthusiasts around the world. The 2020 Olympics will feature competition in two events, kumite (sparring) and kata (forms). Sixty competitors from around the world will compete in kumite and 20 in kata. Both divisions will be split 50-50 between men and women. The Madrid-based World Karate Federation is the current governing body for amateur karate. According to the organization, 100 million people practiced the art in 2014. And things are only getting…

Singapore-based One Championship, a regional leader in mixed-martial arts competition, announced that it’s established a professional kickboxing league designed to feature the best local and international strikers in the combat sports. The new organization, dubbed One Championship Kickboxing, will provide a global platform for practitioners of muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, kung fu, san da, silat, lethwei and other arts. “Over the years, One Championship has earned its reputation as the home of martial arts by showcasing the most exciting, authentic action on the planet,” said Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and CEO of One Championship. “Asia has been the home of martial arts for 5,000 years, and we will now showcase Asia’s striking arts to fans around the world.” One Championship Kickboxing will launch with Manila One: Heroes of Honor on…

• Ronda Rousey made headlines around the world when it was announced that she was joining the WWE, presumably as a professional wrestler. • The Martial Arts Kid 2: Payback, a sequel to 2015’s family-friendly The Martial Arts Kid, is in the works. The Don Wilson/Cynthia Rothrock/T.J. Storm vehicle will be funded in part by an Indiegogo campaign. • The 2018 Ozawa Cup International Karate Tournament will take place from March 29 to April 1 in Las Vegas at the Flamingo. More than $3,450 in cash and prizes will be awarded. • The editor of this magazine traveled to Phoenix to learn the way of the sword from Black Belt Hall of Famer Dana Abbott. Both the staffer and his katana returned relatively unscathed. • Self-defense authority and occasional Black…

On That Red Belt Rickson Gracie: I was flattered when my brother Rorion graciously awarded me with a red belt in Las Vegas last July. However, the experience forced me to rethink the way in which belts are awarded, and I concluded that this process is too subjective. Irrespective of all my accomplishments on the mat and in the ring, as the president of the Global Jiu Jitsu Federation, I decided to set an example. I will wait five more years, until I have worn my black belt for 45 years, before I put my red belt on again. On a Shared Link “5 Reasons Why Ronda Rousey Will Succeed in WWE” Henry Bowman: How ’bout one reason. “It’s written.” It’s all how her role is written. Nothing more. Steve…