The new year is just around the corner, but before we turn the page it would be fitting for us to reflect on this past year. 2010 was an eventful year in the history of Krav Maga Worldwide™ — new web sites, new media appearances, a new training center, and so much more. Let's take a moment to look back.
The Redesign of kravmaga.com
We launched a redesign of kravmaga.com and km-X™, which were also launched on mobile platforms. This was done to support the unprecedented amount of traffic coming into our website. Currently, we are receiving over 250,000 hits a day!
Media Appearances
Krav Maga Worldwide™ was featured on National Geographic's Fight Science, a television program in which scientists and martial arts masters work together to analyze the world's fighting techniques. Krav Maga Worldwide ™ instructor A.J. Draven wrote and starred in the movie Special Ops, which featured award-winning fight choreography by fellow instructor Kevin Lewis. We were also featured on Spike TV's Deadliest Warrior, Style Network's Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, Univision’s El Gordo y la Flaca, MTV's Parental Control, and The Simpsons.
Krav Maga Worldwide™ Lead Instructor Wade Allen was featured in Angelina Jolie's movie Salt. And Krav Maga Worldwide™ Lead Instructor and General Manager Jarret Waldman was featured in the cover story of the current issue of Men's Fitness magazine for training Ashton Kutcher in preparation for his movie Killers. Lastly, we created and broadcasted a new television commercial for Krav Maga Worldwide™ and KMW Training Centers™, which won three Telly Awards, including the People's Choice Award.
Darren Levine Lectures and Seminars Series
We had over eight sold-out lectures and seminars by Krav Maga Worldwide™ Chief Instructor Darren Levine this year. Topics included advanced handgun defenses, third-party protection, knife attacks and threats, and the rules of self-defense.
Appreciation Seminar
On November 13th Krav Maga Worldwide™ law enforcement, military, security and civilian instructors from all over the globe came together at the Santa Monica beach for an Instructor Appreciation Seminar taught by Krav Maga Worldwide™ Force Training Division instructors. The 6 hours of tactical-style training took place on the sand and in the ocean. It consisted of military style physical training as well as Basic and Advanced Krav Maga techniques.
Participants were put into teams and given missions to complete as quickly as possible. During these missions they had to carry their teammates, completely submerse in the water, crawl in the sand, take down sentries, launch and breach the surf with a six person F470 Zodiac boat, paddle out into the ocean in their team boats all the while holding onto their weapons and having to be prepared to defend themselves.
Krav Maga Worldwide™ Fights Cancer
Since 2006, Krav Maga Worldwide™, in conjunction with STOP CANCER™, is proud to have raised over $600,000, which represents a value of over 1.2 million dollars for cancer research when matched in-kind by the recipient comprehensive cancer center. We are all united by our shared purpose: continuing the fight against cancer and commemorating the memory of our dear friend and mentor Marni Levine (1969-2006), who passed away at the age of 37 from breast cancer.
Thank you to everyone for your time, dedication, professionalism and support. Our combined fundraising efforts as an organization has pushed the amount raised by "The Marni Fund" over the 1 million dollar level this year! We are proud of our organization, and we look forward to working together and continuing our fight against cancer in the new year.
Grand Opening of the New KMW Training Center in West LA
On January 30th our KMW Training Center in West LA moved a block up the street to a bigger and better facility. With four spacious training rooms, new amenities, new equipment, and over 25 additional classes, the new training center has managed to accommodate the unprecedented growth in membership and traffic.
And That's Only the Tip of the Iceberg...
There are too many personal stories to share here, and even more that we're unaware of — stories of people who discovered passions, achieved goals, gained habits, and changed lives. Thank you to everyone for what you do. We are proud to have such a professional organization. You make a difference in people's lives on a daily basis. Your passion is contagious, and we congratulate you on your successes and your advancement through the system this year. We look forward to the stories waiting to be made in 2011, and we can't wait for you to see what we've got in store.
