One of Sensei Kim’s strong right arms during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Cal Avila was known for his strong techniques and his excellent kata practise. He actually began like many, by studying judo in 1959. He was a stickler for conditioning and insisted on being in top shape all the time.

“He was a stickler for basics,” says Fred Jackaman, one of his first students who later trained with Sensei Kim.

Not only was Avila’s dojo in a weight gym in the early days, but he also was a big time advocate of the makiwara.

He was located near Watsonville, California, where he taught many top martial artists. He left the Bu Toku Kai during the mid- to late-1970s to pursue his own training.