"Imi" believed that anyone, whether coordinated or not, strong or weak, could perform Krav Maga exercises by using their maximum strength. Until 1968, there were no official ranks in Krav Maga, and the trainees' rankings were largely based on their knowledge of judo.

In 1968, Eli Avikzar began learning aikido under the guidance of an Englishman named Mike and, within a year, became his training partner. Mike was amazed at Eli's rapid progress and suggested he go abroad to earn his black belt in aikido. Following Mike's recommendation, Eli traveled to France in 1971, took the test, and earned a brown belt in aikido. Before his journey, Eli had earned his black belt in judo and was the first person to ever receive a black belt in Krav Maga, which he received from "Imi" on May 1, 1971.

Upon his return, Eli began working as an instructor alongside "Imi" at the training centers in Netanya and Tel Aviv. Additionally, they trained special military units and volunteers. In 1977, Eli went to Germany, where, after passing the test, he received a black belt level from the European Aikido Federation. In 1974, "Imi" retired and handed over his Krav Maga training center in Netanya to Eli.

In 1976, Eli joined the permanent force as the head of the Krav Maga section. Krav Maga's role in the army advanced significantly after his appointment. More courses were introduced, and every physical education instructor was required to learn Krav Maga and teach it. The improvement of Krav Maga in the Israeli army resulted from the development of methods and exercises in civilian life, and it became more accepted and professional, proving its effectiveness in combat units.

Eli continued developing Krav Maga within the IDF until his retirement in 1987. By that time, Eli had trained 85,000 male soldiers and 12,000 female soldiers. In 1978, the Krav Maga Association was established. As an active member of the Judo Association, Eli Avikzar helped set up professional and ranking committees within the Krav Maga Association.

In 1979, Eli awarded his first two black belts to trainees:

• Avi Avisidon

• Eyal Yanilov
   

A list of Eli's students is at the bottom of this page, showing the level of black belts awarded by him. In 1981, Eli traveled to the United States with "Imi" and some of his students for a 45-day performance tour as part of a fundraising trip. In 1983, following this visit, the first American group came to Israel for a three-week Krav Maga instructor course.

In 1984, the Krav Maga Association awarded a black belt to two American trainees, Allen Feldman and Darrin Levine. In 1985, Eli went to the United States as a representative of the Krav Maga Association to lecture to the police department, and in 1987, he returned to the U.S. to give his first course to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The many improvements Eli made to Krav Maga turned it into a new method parallel to Krav Maga. The name KAMI (Israeli Defense Battle) is tied to Eli's ideology, as the method is divided into two parts: self-defense and hand-to-hand combat (KAMI does not participate in any competitions). A fight develops if a self-defense exercise does not completely neutralize the attacker. From this theory came the name Israeli Krav Magen, meaning Israeli Defense Battle.

KAMI adapts to the changing street environment and immediate, modern dangers. KAMI continuously renews and improves, adding and revising exercises to find solutions for an evolving environment. In practice, the exercise is short and effective, and anything is allowed to save lives. "Minimal movement against maximal movement becomes minimal defense against maximal offense."

In 1987, Eli Avikzar retired from the Krav Maga Association and in 1989 founded KAMI - Israeli Krav Magen Association, with the blessing of "Imi." Today, the KAMI method has more than 40 branches across the country. It is recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Education as the recommended method for schools, authorized by the Wingate Academic College, "Na'amat" (Women's Organization), and PE teachers, and is used by various security forces and is well-known worldwide.

In 1996, Eli earned an 8th Dan rank, including a founder's diploma, which was the first issued by "Imi." In 1999, he was awarded the 10th Dan rank by all esteemed and professional members of KAMI, including senior students and PE institutes in Israel.

In 1999, Eli received worldwide recognition and the 10th Dan belt from martial arts leaders in Israel and abroad, Israeli sports institutes, and his students.

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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KAMI AND KRAV MAGA
KAMI - Israeli Krav Magen comes from the Krav Maga family and is an essential part of the generic name "Krav Maga."

The founder of KAMI - Israeli Krav Magen 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 many years, Eli and Imi worked together until Eli’s retirement from the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). Eli was then elected, upon Imi’s recommendation, as the head of the Krav Maga division of the IDF.

Upon Eli's retirement from the IDF, he suggested to Imi that the word ISRAEL be added to Krav Maga to distinguish the generic name "Krav Maga" (literal translation - Contact Combat) with a more specific and meaningful name, including its origin. Imi rejected this idea, arguing that the name ISRAEL would deter foreign students from studying Krav Maga.

In 1987, with Imi's blessing, Eli resigned from the Krav Maga Association and formed a new association called "Krav Maga Israel," or in short KAMI. Imi did not accept this new name, and out of great respect for Imi, Eli changed the name "Maga" to "Magen" (literal translation - Shield or Defense) but kept the word Israel, thus making the name "Krav Magen Israel" a specific and non-generic name.

The name change from Maga to Magen (Defense) meant that people would learn self-defense but still belong to the Krav Maga family. Eli also required every student to wear the same uniform, and the colors were blue and white, like the Israeli flag.

Today, KAMI is a dynamic martial art with a curriculum that adapts to the changing reality of street situations today.

Even today, the name "Krav Maga" is a generic name, so anyone can teach it without any inspection or professional supervision, while KAMI, with its emblem, is a registered association worldwide, including in Israel, with a curriculum that is consistent for all students globally, with close professional supervision.

KAMI is today Israel's largest association under the continuous professional supervision of external bodies as well as its own internal supervision. All its coaches and trainers are qualified from the level of assistant instructor to Expert in specific martial arts, and all this under the vigilant supervision of Wingate Academic College and the Ministry of sport