March 2025 - Johnny K. Wu, Richard J. McClain and Don DeVries have resurrected the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame and added the original inductees into a section of The Cleveland Martial Arts Hall of Fame to continue to honor the deserving martial artists that have been inducted, and we will induct a few worthy individuals in the future.

It was over 50 years ago when Dan Soward thought of the idea that there were a lot of individuals who had dedicated part of their lives to the Martial Arts to help other people; children, police officers, to have a safer life with the knowledge of the Martial Arts, and knowing this information was given unselfishly, he wanted some way for them to be recognized.

This idea, his dream had become a reality in the form of a Hall of Fame for those unsung heroes, that were ordinary individuals who rose above the rest to give a part of their lives to help others learn the power of the Martial Arts, for the benefits of not only the physical, but the mental and spiritual aspects. To be a good leader, you must be a good server and to date just over 120 Black Belt instructors have earned the honor of induction into the International Karate & Kickboxing Hall of Fame, all who have lived by the Karate Creed—"I COME TO YOU WITH ONLY KARATE, EMPTY HANDS"!

The Hall of Fame remains as an enshrinement to the many individuals who have attained the recognition for their accomplishments in the area of all of the Martial Arts. Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Ed Parker, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and many others have earned the recognition for their Good Hearts! Nominations are now being accepted for induction into the International Karate & Kickboxing Hall of Fame.

PROCESS FOR INDUCTION: You must be nominated by a current member of the Hall of Fame. An application with a list of accomplishments, achievements, along with a picture is to be sent to the Hall of Fame. The application will be vetted, reviewed and screened by the Board of Directors. A letter of Acceptance/Congratulations will be sent upon acceptance into the Hall of Fame. A date for the induction would be set for proper presentation of the Hall of Fame Award.

REQUIREMENTS: You must have a minimum of 15 years in the Martial Arts, Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwan Do, Kickboxing/MMA. Your training must be at an instructor level or above and these requirements and application will be updated as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors and sent on a separate form.