 In 1968 Eli Avikzar, Lichtenfeld's principal student and first black belt, began learning aikido and in 1971 left for France where he received a black belt in aikido.Upon his return, Avikzar started working alongside Imi to integrated more traditional martial arts into krav maga and as an instructor.Then in 1974 Imre retired and gave Eli Avikzar control over the Krav Maga training center in Netanya.