Was Elvis really a Black Belt?

Al Tracy's best-documented surviving web article examines the often-confused story of Elvis Presley's original black-belt promotion and focuses attention on Hank Slomanski.

The surviving source explicitly says the article is by Al Tracy and that no portion may be reproduced without permission. Accordingly, this page provides a new summary rather than reproducing the original article.

Why Al wrote it

Al explains that he had held the story for decades and chose the website rather than a magazine because he wanted the account to remain accessible. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, he also framed the story as a tribute to military service.

Historical subject

The article challenges later celebrity-centered accounts by asking who actually awarded Elvis his original black belt. Al turns the focus toward Hank Slomanski, a serviceman and martial artist whose role had often been reduced to a footnote.

Read the original

Open Al Tracy's surviving article

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