Mike Lee Kanarek named

"Black Belt Magazine Hall Of Fame Self-Defense Instructor Of Year-2007"

"Any martial artist who's into self-defense... and that's most of you according to every survey we've ever done...knows that the hottest thing out there is reality fighting.

One of the best-known pioneers in the reality movement is Mike Lee Kanarek, founder of HaganaH. The Davie, Florida-based martial artist is a veteran of Israel's spec-ops Golani Brigade.

One key to its (HaganaH) effectiveness is Kanarek's attitude toward change. Whenever he devises or encounters a better mousetrap, he's quick to adopt it. Ego doesn't matter; what's important is the benefit to the practitioner.

Kanarek's life history may be partly responsible for his selflessnes, and it's definitely responsible for his toughness.

Kanarek has majored in the martial arts. He earned a sixth degree black belt in Joe Lewis' American Full-Contact Karate/Kickboxing system, a fourth degree in Hisardut and Tae Kwon Do, a first degree in Krav Maga and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. He also receieved Instructor certification in Thai Boxing and sampled the Israeli military arts of Kapap and Lotar.

Every component of that eclectic mix bolstered his credentials in the reality-fighting world, and once he set shop in Florida, the public immediately took notice. And like what it saw.

Kanarek now teaches agents affiliated with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Secret Service and several SWAT units. In addition, he guides the development of thousands of civilians students, and his art is taught at more than 100 schools across the United States.

Because of his unending efforts to make the world a safer place through propagation of the martial arts, Mike Lee Kanarek has been named Black Belt's 2007 Self-Defense Instructor of the year. "

                                                                      Robert W. Young  Executive Editor of Black Belt