K.A.M.I – Krav Magen Israel stems directly from the family of Krav Maga
It is an important half of the generic name “Krav Maga.” The founding father of K.A.M.I – Krav Magen Israel was Eli Avikzar (RIP) who was the first student to receive a Black Belt in Krav Maga from the founder of Krav Maga, Imi Sade-Or (RIP).
For several years Eli and Imi worked along till Imi’s retirement from the IDF (Israeli Defence Force). Eli was elected on the specific recommendation of Imi to be Head the Division of Krav Maga within the IDF.
Upon Eli’s retirement from the army, he proposed to Imi to change the name to ISRAEL Krav Maga in order to differentiate between the generic name “Krav Maga” (literal translation – Contact Combat), to be specific and meaningful name including its origin. Imi rejected this concept because he thought name Israel would deter international students from learning krav maga
In 1987, with the blessing of Imi, Eli finally resigned from the Krav Maga Association and fashioned a brand new one called “Krav Maga Israel” or briefly K.A.M.I. Imi didn’t accept this new name, and due to the great respect that Eli had for Imi, changed the name from “Maga” to “Magen” (literal translation – Shield or Defence), however kept the word “Israel”, and created the name “Krav Magen Israel” a specific name and not a generic one.
The word changed from Maga to Magen (Defend), so that individuals would learn to Defend themselves, however still belong to the family of Krav Maga.
Another thing that Eli demanded was that every student had an identical dress code which the colors would be Blue and White as in the Israeli national flag.
Nowadays K.A.M.I could be a volatile trending martial art, with a syllabus that supports the changing reality that is seen in the street nowadays.
Even to these days, the name “Krav Maga” is a generic name. Anyone can teach it without any skilled inspection or oversee with K.A.M.I with its Emblem is a registered Association universally including Israel, with a study syllabus that is equal to all or any students anywhere in the globe followed with close skilled supervision.
K.A.M.I today is the largest Association in Israel under ongoing professional guidance from outside bodies in addition to inside supervision. All its trainers and coaches are qualified from the rank of assistant instructor up to Expert in the particular martial arts, and everyone tear under the vigilant supervision of the Academic College at Wingate and therefore the Ministry of Sport