Federation of Israeli Martial Arts

Jeff Smith Interview Part 1

Lori Weintraub — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Grandmaster Jeff Smith

Grandmaster Jeff Smith, a 10th Degree Black Belt Master in Tae Kwon Do, has devoted over 40 years to the martial arts. He currently has two karate centers in Northern Virginia and travels worldwide officiating at tournaments, teaching and conducting seminars. He is one of the most successful examples of translating the same core beliefs, behaviors and habits it takes to become a world class competitor into the martial arts school business.

He is perhaps best known as the seven-time “World Light Heavy Weight Karate Champion.” His title defense against Don King’s heavy weight fighter Kareem Allah was seen by over fifty million viewers as a preview before the Ali vs. Frazier World Boxing Title Fight, known as the “Thrilla in Manila.”

He was coach of the World Champion United States Karate Team and the Junior National Team. He is a member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame, the first recipient of the Bruce Lee Award (selected by Mrs. Bruce Lee and Karate Magazine) and listed in the Who’s Who of Martial Arts. Jeff is one of karate’s legends along with Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, Joe Lewis and Bill Wallace.

Grand-master Smith has made appearances on ABC’s “Wide World of Entertainment,” “The Champions” TV series, Showtime, ESPN and Pay-Per-View events. He co-starred in a martial arts movie in Korea. He has been on the cover of every major martial arts publication and was selected by Washingtonian Magazine as one of Washington’s top athletes.

Grandmaster Smith is President of World Champion Jeff Smith Karate, and the Chief Operating Officer for the Mile High Karate franchise organization.

He has performed at the White House in the “Kick Drugs Out of Your Life” campaign and again with his students in California for “Drug Abuse is Life Abuse” program. He conducts seminars in public schools for the “Just Say No to Drugs” campaign. Grandmaster Smith officiates at major karate tournaments, coaches teams in international competition and has done color commentary for karate events on national television, ESPN and Pay per View events.

He is a key figure in the Martial Arts Wealth Mastery educational system for martial arts school owners to help raise the professional standards in the martial arts industry.

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Joe Corley Interview

Lori Weintraub — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Joe Corley is an American karate and kickboxing competitor, instructor, broadcaster and promoter who helped achieve the success of the Professional Karate Association and the early establishment of professional karate in the United States.

Joe Corley began studying Tang Soo Do at age 16. At 19 he earned his black belt and opened his first martial arts studio. He won the National Karate Grand Championship in 1969, 1971, 1972; the Southeast Grand Championship in 1967; and the Southern US Open in 1971 and 1972. Corley opened Atlanta’s first karate studio in 1967 and founded Joe Corley’s American Karate System in 1972.

With Chris McLoughlin, Corley founded the annual Battle of Atlanta karate event in 1970. In 1977 the first televised Full Contact Karate matches of the PKA made its way onto television and were covered by Sports Illustrated. In 1979 Mr. Corley became a partner in the Professional Karate Association (PKA), which was a martial arts organization instrumental in establishing professional kickboxing as a sport in the United States. Corley also became a commentator for American Karate on national television, along with Chuck Norris and Pat Morita, appearing on ESPN Sports Channel America Prime Network and Fox Sports South.

In 1985 Corley appeared in the Joe Lewis film Force Five, was named the 1990 Man of the Decade by Official Karate magazine, chosen as Man of the Year in 1998 for Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame, was presented the Joe Lewis Eternal Warrior Award in 2013, Promoted to the rank of 10th Degree Black Belt, Grand Master in 2016, and in

2017 was featured on the cover of Who’s Who in the Martial Arts Legends Edition.

In early 2018, Corley was seeking financing for the new era of PKA Kickboxing and organizing broadcasts for these events. In April, 2018, Combat Go, a new 24/7 Martial Arts channel announced a partnership with PKA Kickboxing to provide programming for its new channel.

He serves as Master Instructor at Atlanta Extreme Warrior, founded in 2010, which includes Joe Corley Karate in its curriculum. Joe serves as the International Liaison for the Professional Karate Commission.

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Benny “The Jet” Urquidez

Lori Weintraub — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Benny “The Jet” Urquidez

For five decades the legendary Benny “The Jet” Urquidez has been a moving force in the martial arts. A 6 time world champion in 5 weight class divisions, Urquidez pioneered full contact fighting in the United States. Undefeated throughout his 27 year professional fighting career, he catapulted to world prominence and ultimate dominance in the mid-1970s. Benny became a world champion kick-boxer in the same year full contact karate was introduced to the United States. He reigned over the sport throughout his entire career.

At fourteen, four years earlier than was generally permitted, he became the youngest martial artist to ever receive a black belt, earning the first of what would be nine black belts. Benny immediately began competing in the adult black belt division. He won every major international tournament with his unique and extraordinary style of fighting and remained undefeated.

By 1977 The Jet had traveled the world and systematically defeated every world champion, winning the P.K.A. and W.K.A. world kickboxing championships, becoming a national hero in the process. After winning five world championships in four separate weight class divisions, The Jet retired in 1989 undefeated with an unprecedented title defense ring record of 62 wins, 57 knockouts, and 0 losses. In 1993, at the age of forty-two, The Jet came out of retirement to seal his legendary status, defeating 25-year-old Japanese world welterweight champion Yoshihisa Tagami and winning the world light middle weight championship, bringing his record to 63 wins, 57 knockouts and 0 losses.

The Jet was recently inducted into the 2019 International Sports Hall of Fame by Dr. Robert Goldman and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his legendary career achievements as an athlete, humanitarian, and contributions to the world of sports. In addition to his exceptional accomplishments in the ring, being an actor and a highly sought after stunt and fight coordinator on film sets all over the world, Sensei Benny is and always has been a teacher. Teaching students of all levels, champion fighters and celebrities alike. He has written four instructional books, released eight instructional videos and countless online tutorials and classes. We are proud to have Benny as a member of FIMA.

Today, Sensei Benny travels the world teaching classes, seminars, personalized training as well as public speaking engagements and film production. Having accomplished everything a fighter could dream of and more, Benny “The Jet “Urquidez is considered to be one of the greatest martial arts legends of all time. He remains one of the longest reigning champions in the history of modern martial arts.

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3 Reasons Why Successful Copy May Not Be What You Like

Joseph Edmondson — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:29:38 +0000

3 Reasons Why Successful Copy May Not Be What You Like

The post 3 Reasons Why Successful Copy May Not Be What You Like appeared first on Federation of Israeli Martial Arts.

Putting Together A Quick Diet Plan

Joseph Edmondson — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:14:11 +0000

Putting Together a Quick Diet Plan

The post Putting Together A Quick Diet Plan appeared first on Federation of Israeli Martial Arts.

Guy Rafaeli Interview

Lori Weintraub — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Guy Rafaeli was in military intelligence unit 504 recon, mainly based in Lebanon for 5 years and continued as a reserve until 2006. He specialized in CQB, Krav Maga, pistol, knife, and baton, and he was a Krav Maga instructor in the IDF. Guy has a 3rd Dan Black Belt with Dennis survival Jiu Jitsu, and a 7th Dan Black Belt in Krav Maga with Yaron Hanover. He started his own system, ICS – Israeli Combat System – a hybrid of Krav Maga and Filipino MA. Guy has gained a reputation as one of the leading instructors and foremost experts in Krav Maga. Guy is a FIMA Representative in Israel. He has traveled extensively, conducting seminars and workshops in many different countries.

https://www.facebook.com/guy.rafaeli.7

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David Thomas Interview

Lori Weintraub — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 04:00:00 +0000

ALABAMA - DAVID "LD" THOMAS:

David “LD” Thomas is the FIMA Representative for the State of Alabama, as well as the only FIMA Black Belt or Instructor in the state. LD began his martial arts career in Taekwondo at the age of 9 and went on to finish second in the U.S. Open Martial Arts Championship in 1988. Although most of his training since then has been in Krav Maga and KAPAP, LD gained formal training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Filipino knife fighting, and western Dutch Kickboxing. LD holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga, as well as a Black Belt in western Dutch Kickboxing. His Black Belt in Krav Maga is FIMA certified and he is a FIMA certified Instructor in Krav Maga and KAPAP. LD was also a 2022 inductee of the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame and OA Krav Maga was named the “Best Krav Maga School in the State of Alabama.”

LD has been a licensed Paramedic for 25 years, and is an experienced Combat Medic, Flight Paramedic, and Tactical Paramedic. He regularly teaches Tactical Combat Casualty Care, other advanced medical courses, and was a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the university level. As a sworn member of an elite U.S. law enforcement agency, LD was a K9 Handler, leader of an operational Tactical Emergency Medicine unit, and member of an elite Special Operations Team. During this time, LD developed additional experience in defensive tactics, hand-to-hand combat, CQB, and multiple weapons platforms

LD is also a licensed attorney, experienced trial lawyer, and is a published legal scholar and author.

LD opened OA Krav Maga in Auburn, Alabama incorporating his diverse background into authentic Israeli Krav Maga to create a unique curriculum that includes tactical medicine, survival, firearms, legal seminars, and CQB, in addition to authentic Israeli Krav Maga.

LD teaches daily at his school in Alabama and travels teaching Krav Maga sand Self-Defense seminars for organizations and other martial arts schools.

https://oakravmaga.com/

info@oakravmaga.com

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