El krav magá

In November 1964 in Netanya, Eli began training with Imi and became his senior student. In those days there were no uniforms or belt ranking systems; the students trained in military uniforms. In 1965 Eli added Judo training as part of Krav Maga. Both Gadi Skornick (the founder of the Gadi Kempojistu method) and Amos Greenshpan trained Eli in Judo, but two training sessions a week did not satisfy Eli. With Imi’s approval, after receiving an orange belt in Judo, Eli began training in Karate and Japanese Jujitsu at the same school where Imi instructed. In addition to this, Eli took Bushido training under Edmond Buzaglo. After gaining experience in these martial arts, Eli and Imi developed new Krav Maga techniques which both improved and simplified Krav Maga. In 1968 the belt ranking system was established. The rankings were based on the students’ expertise of Judo. At the same time Eli Avikzar began to study Aikido – amazing his trainer with the speed of his progress. He offered Eli the opportunity to train in France in order to earn his Aikido brown belt.

On May 1st 1971 Imi certified his first Krav Maga Black Belt. A few months prior to this Eli received his black belt in Judo and then later went to France to earn his black belt in Aikido. When Eli returned to Israel, Eli and Imi began instructing Krav Maga in both Netanya and Tel Aviv. Additionally, Imi and Eli volunteered to train Elite units within the IDF in Krav Maga. Their efforts were highly appreciated, at the same time the IDF began to recognize Eli’s contribution and importance.

In 1974 Imi retired from teaching and gave Eli the Krav Maga School in Netanya. Eli continued developing new techniques while preserving Imi’s motto “Act to the best of your ability, but act correctly” so that any person, including the weak and disabled, could defend themselves using Krav Maga.

Yaron Lichtenstein, director de Bukan, clama ser portador de un 9.º dan y del título de "Grand Master" dados por Imi, pero su referencia es su propio libro (La Biblia del Krav Magá), y un libro escrito por unos periodistas contratados por él mismo (Genesis), por lo que sus argumentos carecen de validez real.