Category Archives: Sport Karate

WKC National Karate Champions

wkc team usa karate

WKC National Champions – Karate

The World Karate and Kickboxing Commission (WKC) hosted the 2023 National Championships June, 2-3 in Detroit, Michigan.  The North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania based Allegheny Shotokan ā€œViolaā€ Karate Dojo sent their best athletes to represent Western Pennsylvania. The Team qualified regionally to attend by winning the annual Christmas Kumite.  

Competitors who medal (top 4) in their divisions earn a sport on Team USA.  Sensei Violaā€™s ā€œTeam Kumiteā€ qualified 17 members, making them the largest group form a single dojo to make the United States Team.

wkc usa karate team

The US Team is comprised of elite athletes from across the country who win the National Team trials and earn a position to represent the United States at the World Championships.  Last year, Gabby Viola and Riley Evans medaled in in Killarney, Ireland at the 2022 World Championships.  This year, the event moves back to the United States and Orlando Florida in October.   Sensei (coach) Bill Viola Jr. said, ā€œIt was very expensive to travel to Europe, so I am excited that more students will get a chance to travel to Florida.  I know next year will be in Germany, so we need to defend home turf this year.ā€ 

Top honors went to Gabby Viola and Xander Eddy. Both are former World Champions who had a rare clean sweep at nationals.  Gabby winning 5 gold medals, and Xander winning 4 Gold medals. 

Medaling for Team USA representing Western Pennsylvania:

Pictured Left to right

  1. Cameron Klos
  2. Katelyn Regina
  3. Lucy Lokay
  4. Sammy Pietrzyk
  5. Xander Eddy
  6. Gabby Viola
  7. Bella Guardado
  8. Aidan Johnson
  9. Flora Bilott
  10. Riley Evans
  11. Noelle Kravetz
  12. Becca Nowalk
  13. Dryce Davis
  14. Alexa Daly
  15. Zoey Bostard
  16. Austin Hladek
  17. Daniel Barrett
  18. Remmington Whatule

All the competitors are a apart of ā€œTeam Kumiteā€ and all-star travel team that trains at the Viola Karate Dojo.  The team will next compete locally at the annual ā€œSummer Shiaiā€ hosted by Sensei Bill Viola at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

 For more information visit www.alleghenyshotokan.com  

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WKC Ireland

gabby viola

World Karate and Kickboxing Commission WKC – Ireland 2022

The World Karate and Kickboxing Commission (WKC) hosted the 2022 World Championships October, 9th -14th in Killarney, Ireland. Ā The weeklong event hosted the worldā€™s best in WKC Tatami-style martial arts competition.Ā  North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania based Allegheny Shotokan ā€œViolaā€ Karate Dojo sent three athletes to Europe for the championships.

Team USA is comprised of elite athletes from across the country who won the National Team trials in Detroit this past June.  Gabby Viola (12-years-old), Riley Evans (14-year old) and Daniel Barrett (17-years old) from Allegheny Shotokan ā€œViolaā€ Karate Dojo earned positions to represent the United States at the World Championships. 

Sensei (coach) Bill Viola Jr. said, ā€œIā€™m beyond proud of them for just stepping on the mat and representing both American and Western PA.  It is such an honor to bring medals home to North Huntingdon.ā€ 

The team traveled to London, England for a cultural experience, before arriving in Ireland for the week long tournament.  Eighteen countries sent their best competitors to Killarney, Ireland for the WKC World Championships, an event which is hosted by a different country annually.  

Gabby Viola, who won the World Title in 2021, said, ā€œThis year was the toughest competition sheā€™s faced at the WKC.  I was very impressed with the British fighters.  They earned my respect.  Iā€™m proud to bring home medals in both my categories.ā€  Riley Evans agrees, she actually exchanged her team USA uniform with a competitor from England as a keepsake and sign of camaraderie.  Daniel Barrett wasnā€™t able to garner a medal, but cherished the experience, ā€œIā€™ve never been overseas, so beyond the competition this is something Iā€™ll always remember.”  Barrett lost in sudden victory overtime to Canada in the quarter finals. 

        

Medaling for Team USA

  • 12-year old Gabby Viola, Silver šŸ„ˆ (classical kata) Bronze šŸ„‰ (female -40kg sparring)
  • 14-year old Riley Evans, Silver šŸ„ˆ (-45kg continuous sparring), šŸ„‰ Bronze Medal (-45kg sparring). 

Gabby is a 6th grader at Hillcrest Intermediate School.

Riley is a 9th grader at Christian Academy.

The girls are a apart of ā€œTeam Kumiteā€ and all-star travel team that trains at the Viola Karate Dojo.  The team will next compete locally at the annual ā€œChristmas Kumiteā€ hosted by Sensei Bill Viola.  It is the qualifier and first step to attend Detroit in 2023.  The squad has every intention of making the US Team again and representing American next year.

For more information visit www.alleghenyshotokan.com or our sister program www.norwinninjas.com

WKC GoldšŸ„‡

Pittsburgh area Team Kumite headquartered at Allegheny Shotokan Karate Dojo earns World Titles.

SAINT VINCENT STUDENT KICKS HIS WAY TO A WORLD KARATE TITLE

The World Karate and Kickboxing Commission (WKC) hosted the 2021 World Championships November, 23rd-30th in Orlando, Florida. The weeklong event hosted the worldā€™s best in WKC Tatami-style martial arts competition. Pittsburgh based Allegheny Shotokan ā€œViolaā€ Karate Dojo earned over 20 medals, including top honors from 20-year-old St. Vincent student Cameron Klos, who was recognized as the overall ā€œGrand Champion.ā€

WKC Gold medal Gabby Viola


Team USA is comprised of 300 athletes from across the country who won the National Team trials in Detroit this past June. Twelve members from Allegheny Shotokan ā€œViolaā€ Karate Dojo earned positions to represent the United States at the World Championships. Of that group, ten students advanced to the medal rounds and stood on the podium. Sensei (coach) Bill Viola Jr. said, ā€œIt is so amazing to see our athletes represent Western PA on an international level. When they play the star spangled banner for one our students, itā€™s a special moment. Cameron is leading by example.ā€

Medaling for Team USA representing Western Pennsylvania
ļ‚· 11-year old Gabby Viola, Gold (female -40kg sparring) Bronze (classical kata)
ļ‚· 12-year-old Xander Eddy, Gold (male -40kg kickboxing) Gold (classical kata) Gold (Traditional Kata) Bronze (male -40kg sparring)
ļ‚· 12-year-old Zoey Bostard Bronze (50+kg sparring) Bronze (50+kg kickboxing)
ļ‚· 12-year-old Rayden Galley Finalist (50+kg sparring and kata)
ļ‚· 14-year-old Riley Evans Bronze (-45kg sparring) Bronze (-45kg kickboxing)
ļ‚· 14-year-old Sammy Pietrzyk, Gold (55+kg female kickboxing team) Gold (55+kg female sparring) Gold
(female team sparring)
ļ‚· 14-year old Kaleb Knock Silver (-55 kg kickboxing) Bronze (-55kg sparring) Bronze (traditional kata)
ļ‚· 15-year-old Austin Hladek, Gold (classical Kata), Gold (traditional Kata), Gold (Weapons), Bronze
(sparring)
ļ‚· 15-year-old Lucy Lokay Bronze (65kg sparring)
ļ‚· 18-year-old Gavin Hladek Finalist (kata & weapons)
ļ‚· 19-year-old Luke Lokay Silver (75kg sparring)
ļ‚· 20-year-old, Cameron Klos, Gold (traditional kata), Silver (classical kata), Silver (synchronized forms),
Bronze (-85 KG sparring) Gold 18+ overall Forms/Weapons Grand Champion

The highlight of the week was Cameron Klos earning top honors in the Adult Black Belt Overall Finals. Klos earned a spot to compete by winning gold for his traditional kata (pattern) during elimination rounds. The finals pitted gold medal winners and elite athletes in various disciplines to determine the ā€œbest of the best.ā€ The final four international champions represented Canada, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Klos for the United States. In the end, Klos was named Grand Champion of the WKC.

WKC cameron klos


Senator Kim Ward presented Cameron with a proclamation for his victory upon his return to Pittsburgh. He will perform for the County Commissioners at the Greensburg Courthouse of December 16th.

Klos, a Cyber Security major at St. Vincent College, holds a 4.0 GPA. Sensei Viola Jr. says, ā€œIt takes a special kind of work ethic to juggle an international karate schedule and remain at the top of his class in college. Cameron personifies dedication. His is earning a ā€˜black belt in lifeā€™.ā€

The 2022 WKC World Championships will be held in Dublin, Ireland. The team will be fundraising throughout the year to attend and defend their titles. For more information visit www.alleghenyshotokan.com


Olympic Glory

ariel torres olympics

Olympic Aspirations Hit Home in North Huntingdon šŸ„‡šŸ„‹

Karate made its Olympic debut last week in Tokyo, Japan the birthplace of the sport, but for one local dojo itā€™s been a long time coming.  Students filled the parking lot of Allegheny Shotokan ā€œViola Karateā€ in North Huntingdon to watch the games live on a 20 ft. screen like a drive-in movie theater. While Judo and Tae Kwon Do have been part of the Olympic program for years, this the first time in history for karate.    The event was special for Bill Viola Jr. and his father Bill Viola Sr. who have been dreaming of an Olympic berth since the 1980s.  Viola Sr. helped spearhead the grassroots Olympic movement in Pennsylvania decades before.  Viola Jr. said, ā€œItā€™s taken over 40 years for Karate to make its way to the Games, and weā€™ve been cheering every step of the way.ā€ 

The Violaā€™s have been instrumental in the sports development and were part of a big push to get karate included in the Pan-American Games in 1999.  Doug Selchan, a member of Team USA, began his training with Sensei Viola and was able to win a Gold Medal at karateā€™s PAN-AM debut in Winnipeg, Canada. Sensei George E. Anderson was responsible for getting the Olympic Karate movement started in the United States, and he enlisted Sensei Viola to oversee Pennsylvania and help coordinate national events for USA Karate. The USA Karate Federation (USAKF) was the National Governing Body for Karate from 1985-1995 in the United States and member of the US Olympic Committee.  In 1986 Viola was appointed Regional Administrator for the USA Karate Federation and promoted the Allegheny Mountain Championships, a qualifier for the USA National Championships.  In 1992 Viola hosted the USA Karate Junior Olympics at the University of Pittsburgh Field House.  Violaā€™s tournament experience lead him to be named to the USA Karate Organizing Committee, responsible for coordination of the USA Karate National Championships.  Today that group has transformed into the USA-National Karate Federation (USANKF) under the banner of the World Karate Federation (WKF) which oversees Olympic karate.  On March 9, 2019 Viola Sr. was inducted into the USA Karate Hall of Fame as a ā€œPioneer of USA Karateā€ specifically for his contributions to the Olympic karate movement.

George Anderson (President of USA Karate with Sensei Bill Viola Sr.

Viola Jr. was a multiple time USA Karate National Champion and Team USA Member.  He has since passed the torch to his students, namely his daughter Gabby.  At just 10-years-old, she is highly accomplished already winning Gold at the WKC National Championships and earning a spot on WKC Team USA.  She has been recognized as a 5x State Champion and currently ranked #2 in North America by North American Karate Association (NASKA). This month Black Belt Magazine published her as ā€œTop 5 Femaleā€ competitors in the country.  At the 2021 US Open in Florida she was awarded Competitor of the Yearā€ by Point Fighter Live.  The honor, dubbed as a ā€œPower Awardā€ was voted on by coaches, competitors, and promoters from across North America.  After a nationwide poll, Viola not only won her category (edging out a talented competitor from El Paso, Texas) but was the highest vote getter of the show.  However, her biggest inspiration is training with the best athletes in the world, including the first Olympic champion in karate history.  Six-time defending European Champion Sandra SĆ”nchez of Spain became the first-ever Gold Medalist in the sport on August 5th 2021.  Gabby has had the rare opportunity train with Sandra, and that experience has left a lasting impact.  She even named her special edition Olympic Barbie ā€œSandra,ā€ touting it as she claimed Olympic glory. 

Olympic Gold Medalist Sandra Sanchez with Gabby Viola

As for the United States, they won their first-ever and ā€œonlyā€ karate medal of the games when Ariel Torres secured bronze for Team USA in kata.  Torres, from Hialeah Florida, works with 20-year-old Viola Karate student Cameron Klos.  Torres is like a big brother to Cameron, mentoring him in the ways of International Competition.  Klos a student at Saint Vincent University, is a 2020 North American Sport Karate (NASKA) World Champion, WKC Team USA Member, and Kumite Classic Champion.  He travels to train with Ariel and studies remotely via Zoom weekly with him for private lessons. Ariel is preparing Cameron for a bid to make the USA Karate National Team. The same team Ariel represents and competed for in the Olympics.    

Sensei Cameron Klos with Olympic Bronze Medalist Ariel Torres

Sensei Bill Viola Sr. says, ā€œIā€™ve trained thousands of students, many who have had Olympic aspirations and skill.  It was satisfying to see the Olympics on television, knowing my students have personal connections to these champions.  I know all the hard work has finally paid off.ā€  Viola Karate has been serving Western Pennsylvania since 1969 and is a member of the USA-NKF under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee.  Their sister program is the award-winning Norwin Ninjas.  

Gabby Viola and Lucy Lokay Sport Karate People’s Choice

lucy lokay gabby viola karate

For Immediate Release:  2/13/20                     Contact:  Call/Text Bill Viola Jr. 724-640-2111

Pittsburgh Karate Girls Honored by Peers with National “People’s Choice” Meet Gabby Viola and Lucy Lokay

Gabby Viola and Lucy Lokay in karate action
14-year-old Lucy Lokay and 9-year old Gabby Viola

Often times people associate martial arts as a rough-and-tumble sport dominated by male competitors, but two Pittsburgh area karate girls shattering the stereotypes.Ā  9-year-old Gabby Viola and 14-year-old Lucy Lokay were recently honored by the national karate media and their peers with nationwide ā€œPeopleā€™s Choice Awards.ā€Ā  Sportmartialarts.com and Point Fighter Live are the equivalent to the Academy Awards and Grammys for sport karate. They are the two most popular media outlets in North America and recognize the top athletes at the beginning of each season with year-end recognition.Ā Ā Ā Ā 

9-year-old Gabby Viola was nominated as ā€œCompetitor of the Yearā€ by Point Fighter Live.  The honor, dubbed as a  ā€œPower Awardā€ was voted on by coaches, competitors, and promoters from across North America.  After a nationwide poll, Viola not only won her category (edging out a talented competitor from El Paso, Texas) but was the highest vote getter of the show. The physical award will be presented this April in Warwick, Rhode Island at the Ocean State Grand Nationals.

Gabby is a third generation Viola to win national honors.  Sheā€™s following in her Dad Bill Jr. and Grandfather Bill Sr.ā€™s footsteps. She began her training as a toddler and has been a national champion since she debuted at the 2013 Kumite Classic.  Sheā€™s a member of Team USA, and defending Gold Medalist from the WKC Nationals Championships.  Gabby is an inspiration to other girls as sheā€™s been battling  bowel disease.  At 7-years-old, she was diagnosed with chronic inflammation and ulcerative colitis.  While there is no cure for the condition, but she is fighting for remission every day and proving that nothing can stop her karate dreams.  She is currently treated with infusions at UPMC Childrenā€™s hospital and is scheduled to visit Washington, DC this May to lobby for new treatments for the disease with .

When asked about the recognition Gabby said, ā€œIā€™m really happy.  I hope this helps get me to Japan!ā€ Sheā€™s on a mission to fund raise to watch her Idol Sandra Sanchez from Spain compete for a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.  Gabby had the opportunity to train with Sanchez in Orlando, Florida this past July. When sheā€™s not competing, she loves playing piano, dance, and teaching her 2-year-old brother karate. 

Gabby Viola dreams of Olympic karate
Gabby Viola hopes to attend the 2020 Olympics

14-year-old Lucy Lokay was recognized by Sportsmartialarts.com in the ā€œOverall Youth Femaleā€ category.   She received enough preliminary votes nationally to beat out thousands of other competitors and earn a nomination in the final four, and a trip to Chicago, Illinois for the awards ceremony.  Lokay explains, ā€œI was so honored.  I mean these other girls are already starring in TV shows and movies, and Iā€™m just a small town girl. Iā€™m just getting started. Itā€™s crazy.ā€

Her coach Bill Viola Jr. agrees, ā€œLucy was the youngest in the field nominated by SMA.  This puts her name on the radar for the entire league.  She has a bright future.ā€  Although Lucy took runner up, just to share the stage with North Americaā€™s top female martial artists was empowering.  She is ranked #2 in the World Rankings by the North American Sport Karate Association.  Not since one of her mentors, Ali Viola, a decade ago has any female from the tristate area ever been nominated for an SMA award. 

Lucy is dedicated to giving back as a representative of the Western PA Police Athletic League, volunteering for their community initiative.  She works alongside Pittsburgh Police and community leaders to help those less fortunate learn martial arts and boxing and helps organize ā€œStuff-a-Storeā€ toy drives with her mother Amy. 

Throughout the long season, Gabby and Lucy traveled to Illinois, California, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, New York, West Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey and Canada to compete.  The honors are based on an entire yearā€™s body of work.  

Gabby Viola and Lucy Lokay Karate girls
Gabby and Lucy

Gabby and Lucy are members of Allegheny Shotokan ā€œViolaā€ Karate Dojo which recently celebrated its 50 Year Anniversary.  The Dojo was honored with a proclamation from County Executive Rich Fitzgerald who recognized ā€œSensei Viola Dayā€ on September 23rd 2019 for the Pittsburgh region.  Sensei Bill Viola Sr. has 4 daughters, all of whom have earned their black belts.  Now his Grand Daughter Gabby and Lucy carry on the tradition of strong inspiring ladies from the dojo!

The team is gearing up for the 2020 WKC World Championships held in Madrid, Spain and fundraising to visit Tokyo, Japan and attend the 2020 Olympics.  

For more information visit www.alleghenyshotokan.com  

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#gabbyviola #lucylokay #karategirls #karate #pittsburgh

NASKA World Champions

naska ring

NASKA World Champions

luke lokay, xander eddy, cameron klos

The North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) sanctions the most prestigious karate tournaments in the country and abroad.  For the last thirty years, the league has tracked and ranked competitors throughout the tournament season to determine the World Tour Champions.  The ratings are compiled annually, with the highest point total determining who earns the World Championship Belt and ring. 

naska world champion

North Huntingdon residents Xander Eddy (10 years old), Luke Lokay (16 years old), and Cameron Klos (17 years old) became the first Western Pennsylvania martial artists to win a NASKA title since their Coach, Bill Viola Jr. and his sister Addie were ranked #1 in NASKA in the 1980s.

bill viola addie naska
Bill Viola Jr. and Addie Viola #1 Ranked NASKA (1989)

Sensei Bill Viola Jr. said, ā€œI am so happy to pass the torch to these kids. They are an inspiration to this community and a testimony of hard work and dedication.  They made all of Norwin and Pittsburgh proud.ā€

The 2019 World Championship awards were presented at the AKA Warrior Cup in Chicago, Illinois.  It is the longest running tournament in America founded in 1964.  The tourney hosted the NASKA Banquet on Thursday January 23rd 2020.  NASKA President Larry Carnahan from Minneapolis, MN presided over the ceremony in which the three Western Pennsylvanian black belts earned #1 rankings and World Titles for their age categories.

NASKA World Tour Champions:

  • 10-year-old Xander Eddy         World Champion (10- Open Weight  and 10- Black Belt)
  • 16-year-old Luke Lokay            World Champion (16-17 Light Weight Black Belt Sparring)
  • 17-year-old, Cameron Klos      World Champion (15-17 Open Weight

16-17 Heavy Weight black belt sparring

The trio are members of Allegheny Shotokan ā€œViolaā€ Karate Dojo which recently celebrated itā€™s 50 Year Anniversary proclaimed by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as ā€œSensei Viola Dayā€ on September 23rd 2019 for the Pittsburgh region. 

Xander, Luke, and Cameron traveled to Illinois, California, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, New York, West Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey and Canada to compete during the season.  The honor is based on an entire year’s body of work.   

Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/09/26/Bill-Viola-Sr-Allegheny-Shotokan-Karate/stories/201909260004

Pittsburgh Tribune Review:

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/governments-students-honor-north-huntingdon-karate-instructor-bill-viola/

The team is gearing up for the 2020 WKC World Championships held in Madrid, Spain and fundraising to visit Tokyo, Japan and attend the 2020 Olympics.

For more information visit www.alleghenyshotokan.com  

Press Release

50 Year Anniversary – Pittsburgh Karate Legacy

pittsburgh karate

jack bodellSummer of 69ā€™

ā€œThatā€™s one small step for karate; one giant leap for martial arts.ā€

pittsburgh karate school
East Allegheny Karate Class Circa 1970

1969 was a glorious time to be alive; a new home cost a paltry $15,000, 90% of kids walked to school, and Woodstock was in vogue.Ā  America was on top of the world as Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, Mario Puzo released The Godfather, and a little known dojo named ā€œAllegheny Shotokanā€ set up shop in the gritty suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Yes, it was the golden era of Karate, and those who donned a crisp white ā€œgiā€ and tattered black belt had a special swagger about themselves.Ā  The martial arts were provocative and mysterious, and if you wanted to learn its vast secrets, Bill Viola was your man. Unbeknownst to him, the Viola name and Pittsburgh karate would become synonymous.

ā€œSenseiā€ Viola was a no-nonsense disciplinarian who lived the mantra, ā€œThe more you sweat in here, the less you bleed out there,ā€ an ode to his simple yet effective philosophy of intensity and self-protection.Ā  This sense of unwavering willpower has manifested itself through the tens of thousands who have trained under his hand.Ā  Over the past half-century, his powerful brand of punches and kicks has camouflaged lifeā€™s most important lessons: respect, discipline, and focus.Ā  The Violaā€™s preach, ā€œCharacter is a commodity that canā€™t be bought, only built.ā€ You arenā€™t rich until you have something money canā€™t buy, and for Viola his passion is priceless.Ā  The confidence he has instilled in his students can be found on and off the mat, from the classroom to the boardroom, or from raising a family to protecting a loved one.Ā  Viola smiles, ā€œItā€™s that indomitable spirit that builds champions in life. Our dojo is a family.ā€

Read more in Black Belt Magazine

Allegheny Shotokan Karate (1969-2019) is celebrating its 50-year anniversary as the gold standard for martial arts in Western PA.Ā  The family-owned and operated dojo is blessed with 3 generations of Violas who carry on the legacy.Ā  All five of Violaā€™s children have earned black belts and his eldest, Sensei Bill Viola Jr., now heads the school. Viola Jr.ā€™s daughter Gabby and son Will [William Viola IV] are fixtures at the martial arts studio.Ā  Sr.ā€™s other children Joce and Jacque are Doctors of Pharmacy in North Huntingdon, Addie, a teacher in Bethel Park and Ali, a Lawyer downtown. Heā€™s proud that their karate foundation has helped them pave the way for fulfilling careers.

viola karate
Viola Family: Addie, Jacque, Ali, Bill Sr., Bill Jr., Joce

Viola Sr., now 71, still teaches his black belt class every Monday evening, a reminder to everyone that karate is a lifelong journey.Ā  In fact Ray Adams, 76, joined the club in 1971 and is still actively training today. He is the longest tenured student and says, ā€œI just earned my Master rank and have no plans of slowing down, my next test will be in my 80s.ā€ One of Adamā€™s favorite training partners and the dojoā€™s first black belt was Jack Bodell.Ā  Known as the ā€œPresidentā€™s Bodyguardā€ as a member of the United States Secret Service in charge of protecting President Jimmy Carter, Jack explains, ā€œSensei gave me the skills to succeed in life.ā€ Jack Bodell, Ray Adams, Ray Walters, Dave Zezza and Viola Jr. round out the ā€œMasterā€ ranks at Allegheny Shotokan.Ā  Viola Sr., 9th Degree Black Belt, remains the patriarch.

Viola Karate (as itā€™s more commonly known today) accolades include induction into the prestigious USA Karate Hall of Fame, who named ā€œSensei Vā€ the Man of Year (2003).Ā  In 2011, Viola was honored with a permanent exhibit installed at the Western PA Sports Museum and Senator John Heinz History Center recognizing him as the co-creator of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (the display is located next to the FrancoĀ Harris ā€œImmaculate Receptionā€).

Godfathers of MMA / Tough Guys Museum Exhibit

Jr. and Sr. are both official Sport Karate History Generals and recipients of the Sport Karate Museumā€™s ā€œLifetime Achievementā€ award.Ā  The duo was awarded the Champion Associations Willie Stargell M.V.P. Award (2011) for community service, a tribute that includes Michael Jordan and Muhamad Ali as alum. In 2017 the Violaā€™s were published in the book, Whoā€™s Who in the Martial Arts ā€“ Legends of American Karate edition.Ā  Viola Sr.ā€™s life was the subject of the Amazon #1 selling book Godfathers of MMA which in turn inspired the SHOWTIME documentary film Tough Guys (2017) produced by an Academy award winning team. Viola Jr., who authored the book, was also a producer on the film, making a cameo playing his father.Ā Ā 

Viola Jr. has been a member of Screen Actors Guild since 2000 after a stint in Hollywood which included stunts, commercials and work on the Britney Spears ā€œStrongerā€ video. He founded his entertainment company [Kumite Classic] after Injuries sustained in a car crash that ended his competitive career (1999). The company produces the Pittsburgh Fitness Expo (regions largest multi-sport convention) and has a publishing division which has included Kumite Magazine and Tough Guys.Ā  Viola Jr. is currently adapting his book into a screenplay and is in negotiations for a major motion picture. He was featured in Pittsburgh MagazineĀ “40 under 40” list in 2016. Viola Jr. has since created the CommonSensei self-help book series.Ā  Here are some of his famous quotes.Ā Ā 

The dojo is internationally renowned as the most successful sport karate school in Pittsburgh region, garnering the only dual Pan American Gold Medalists in both traditional karate (WKF) and kickboxing (WAKO), as well as countless national, international and world titles.

In 1998 Arnold Schwarzenegger recognized them as the #1 school in America and Hines Ward selected Violaā€™s students as Positive Athletes to represent marital arts (2012-2013).

As karate approaches its first Olympic berth at the 2020 Tokyo Games, Viola was instrumental in the movement as he hosted the USA Karate Jr. Olympics at the University of Pittsburghā€™s Fitzgerald Field House in 1992 under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee. Incidentally, Viola Jr. was a triple Gold Medalist, the only athlete to earn that status. In March 2019, USA Karate honored Viola with the ā€œPioneer of USA Karateā€ award for his dedication to the Olympic karate movement. The Viola dojo has always had its finger on the pulse of anything and everything martial arts, and continues as the heartbeat of Pittsburgh karate today.

usa karate pittsburgh olympics
USA Karate Jr. Olympics

Over the past fifty years, the school has welcomed and transformed everyone from children struggling with autism to Olympic level competitors.Ā  ā€œIt doesnā€™t matter if they are a professional athlete or a teenager who is coping with bullies,ā€ Viola Jr. says,Ā Ā  ā€œEach and every student is on their own personal journey of self-enlightenment and courage. Our goal is to help them reach their potential and go beyond.ā€Ā  This formula of empowerment inspired Viola Jr. to package the family secrets into an Award-winning curriculumā€”Sensei Says. This life skills education course is the cornerstone of Allegheny Shotokanā€™s sister programs Norwin Ninjas (4-7 year olds) and Nursery Ninjas (2-3 year olds).

Brownsville:

Viola got his first taste of combat sports in 1955 studying boxing from family friend, the legendary Marion ā€œSluggerā€ Klingensmith (later to become the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commissioner, Brownsville Mayor and Police Chief, Fayette County Commissioner, and Congressman). He discovered martial arts in the early 1960s as a teenager in high school.Ā  Viola recalls, ā€œMy friend Medick Capirano picked up karate at WVU in the ROTC program.Ā  I thought I was pretty tough, but he threw me all over the room when weā€™d work out on the weekends.Ā  I was addicted.ā€Ā  He continued training throughout college at California State under The All American Karate Federation, a split-off from the Japanese Karate Association, and then gaining rank under icons Grand Master Robert Trias, the father of American Karate, and Grand Master George Anderson the founder of the Father of Olympic Karate.

Origins of ā€œAlleghenyā€ Shotokan: (1969-2019) 50 Years serving Pittsburgh, PA

The name ā€œAlleghenyā€ represented the schoolā€™s first location in Allegheny County (East Allegheny High School) and traditional ā€œShotokan,ā€ is the base style of Japanese Karate-do taught. Viola began teaching students in the summer of 1969.Ā  His first student was former California State football player Denny Costello, and droves of EA students followed.Ā  The first teacher to join the ranks was Keith Bertoluzzi. Bertoluzzi was the Master of Ceremonies at the Holiday House, Monroeville, PA. He used his musical influence to invite visiting celebrities to attend karate classes including members of the Beach Boys and other musical acts of the era. As Shihan Viola remembers, ā€œKarate in the 60s and 70s was so popular; we [the Senseis] were the rock stars.ā€ By 1971, East Allegheny had become what is known as a ā€œprogressiveā€ school incorporating new curriculum.Ā  The district offered Viola the opportunity to teach a regular elective karate course, the first in the nation in a public school.Ā  Ā Over the past 50 years the school has held classes in the suburbs of Pittsburgh including North Versailles, Turtle Creek, Paintertown, White Oak, Irwin, North Irwin and currently residing in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.

Shihan Viola and Denny Costello Spar (late 1960s)

Philanthropy/Community Service

The school is endorsed by Western PA Police Athletic League (PAL) where Viola Jr. served as a goodwill ambassador as a youth.Ā  He has been involved in charitable work since his senior year at the University of Pittsburgh, when he established “Kumite International” collegiate scholarships.Ā  The partnership program with Western PA Police Athletic League and Eckert Seamans Law Firm allocated $50,000 in scholarship funds for karate athletes.Ā  The program made national news when Lynn Swann (The Chairman of President George W. Bush’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports) presented the scholarships with Viola Jr. at the 2004 Pittsburgh Fitness Expo / Kumite Classic in Pittsburgh (the mecca for martial arts competition).

Bill Viola Jr and Lynn Swann Award College Scholarship

The dojo has raised tens of thousands of dollars for various causes such as Muscular Dystrophy and Parkinson ā€™s disease.Ā  In 2017 Viola Jr. and former State Senator Sean Logan created ā€œKick Parkinsonā€™s Diseaseā€– a cause close to both men as Logan was diagnosed with Parkinsonā€™s disease in his mid-forties and Viola Jr. spent years caring for his Grandmother who passed away from neurodegenerative complications.Ā  The Viola Karate Dojo has since made it their mission to KICK Parkinsonā€™s diseaseā€”literally.Ā  Each year they assemble hundreds of students to kick one mile non-stop though the racetrack at Boyce Park in Monroeville in conjunction with the Loganā€™s PIND (Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases) 5K.Ā  The students showcased their skill during record setting heat in 2018 and bumped their 2-year donation to $15,000 to aid PIND.Ā  The In all, over the past three years, the event has raised over $1 million dollars through appropriations, grants and sponsors — 100% of the funds are earmarked for experimental testing and research in hopes of finding the cure in Pittsburgh.

kick parkinsons disease

In 2019 Viola Jr. and his Daughter Gabby will begin advocacy efforts at the Capital to lobby for improvements to our healthcare system as she battles inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns Disease).

#violakarate #alleghenyshotokan #senseisays #senseiviola #pittsburghkarate #pittsburghmartialarts #pittsburghmma #shotokan #karate #budo #pittsburghkaratelegacy

On September 23rd, 2019 Allegheny County Council proclaimed “Sensei Viola Day” for the Pittsburgh Region!Ā Ā 

Allegheny County recognizes ā€˜Senseiā€™ Viola for devotion to karate
Sensei Viola Day Sept. 23rd
Governments, students honor North Huntingdon karate instructor Bill Viola

pittsburgh karate history

Pan American Gold

Team USA Member Xander Eddy –Ā  Youngest American to Win Gold at WAKO Pan AmericanĀ Championships

Xander Eddy
Pittsburgh Martial Artist, Xander Eddy wins 2018 Pan American Championships – Gold Medalist

9-year-old Xander Eddy of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, has become the youngest American to win the Pan American Kickboxing Championships in history.Ā  His record setting performance took place in Cancun, Mexico October 23-28 at BarcelĆ³ Maya Beach.Ā  Eddy claimed a Gold Medal in the open weight class for Team USA.

Eddy earned a spot on the United States Kickboxing Team by winning the selection trials in Kansas City, Missouri in February.Ā  His teammate, Luke Lokay, a 15-year-old also from North Huntingdon, won the 63- Kg division to qualify. The selection process is limited to one competitor per weight class who is the current national champion officially recognized by their National Olympic Committees or Ministry of Sports.Ā  World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) is the largest international organization of kickboxing, and the governing body of Amateur kickboxing sport certified by SportAccord. WAKO is affiliated in 128 nations on 5 continents officially recognized by either National Olympic Committee or relevant National Government Sports Authority responsible for than 4,000,000 practitioners from across the globe

Both athletes faced adversity leading up the championship.Ā  In August, Xander shattered the growth plate in his foot practicing for the event.Ā  The injury was severe to his base leg which was critical for kicking and movement.Ā  It was questionable if he could participate. His training partner Luke tore his ACL and meniscus and broke his tibia and knee cap in 2012. Doctors speculated he may never play sports again. Both competitors overcame the odds and competed at the highest level for kickboxing this side of the hemisphere.

Xander Eddy, the youngest American to win Gold at WAKO Pan American Kickboxing Championships

Competitors from over 30 countries represented. In the final bracket, Eddy dominated 6 rounds against the top ranked athletes from Chile, Puerto Rico and Mexico by a combined score of 30-3. In the finals, he faced Guatemala in a heated fight that pitted chants of ā€œUSAā€ vs ā€œGuate.ā€Ā  In dramatic fashion, after 2 rounds the score was tied forcing an additional round to determine the champion.Ā  Eddy scored a sidekick to take the lead and as time expired, he executed his patented ā€œaxeā€ kick to win Gold for America.Ā  He became the youngest athlete to win a Gold Medal for Team USA at the Pan Am Championships in history.Ā  Lokay also represented well, but fell to Guatemala in the final bracket claiming Bronze for Team USA.

Lokay and Eddy each have been training at Allegheny Shotokan Viola Karate in North Huntingdon since they were 4-years-old.Ā  Their Sensei, Bill Viola Jr., is the director for WAKO region 10 which oversees Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, West Virgina, and Washington, DC. He explains, ā€œLuke and Xander set themselves apart with work ethic. Win or lose this kids are great role models. They have character.ā€Ā  Eddy was asked to carry in the American flag by his teammates during the opening ceremonies. Eddy accepted, ā€œI just wanted to make my dojo, parents and country proud.ā€ The duo represents Pittsburgh and all of Western Pennsylvania on the international kickboxing and karate circuit.

Luke Lokay and Xander Eddy warm up for competition

Eddy has won every recent major tournament he has attended including Open-Weight Grand Championship Title at North American Open in Las Vegas, Nevada (part of UFCā€™s International Fight Week), The Battle of Atlanta in Georgia, and US Open ISKA World Championships in Orlando, Florida. His “Norwin” community has gotten behind him in a big way!

congrats xander BK
Norwin Showing its Support

WAKO kickboxing was one of thirteen combat sports participating in the first ever World Combat Games which were held in Beijing, China under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).Ā  WAKO Kickboxing is slated to gain IOC membership this December joining traditional Karate which will be represented at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, Japan under the World Karate Federation.

It was nearly 20 years ago that Allegheny Shotokan Alum Doug Selchan won Gold in +80kg Kumite at the 1999 Pan Am Games for Karate in Winnipeg, Canada. Even though kickboxing and karate are technically different sports, Xanderā€™s parents say they are honored for him to follow in such prestigious footsteps.Ā  Pittsburgh has a rich tradition of world-class martial artists.

doug selchan pan am gold

 

Next up, Xander, Luke, and their dojo will be traveling to Los Angeles, California this February for the ā€œCOMPETE International Championships.ā€Ā  #kickboxing #pittsburgkickboxing #teamusa #usakickboxingteam

 

 

 

Doug Selchan USA Karate Pan American Games Gold Champion

selchan kumite

Profile:Ā  USA Karate Champion Doug Selchan

U.S. Karate Team Captures Gold in Men’s Kumite

Doug Selchan
Doug Selchan USA Karate and Pan American Games Champion

U.S. Olympic Committee Press ReleaseĀ Ā WINNIPEG, Canada

The U.S. karate team ended its competition at theĀ 1999Ā Pan American Games the same way it began the Games — with goldĀ medals.

George Kotaka (Honolulu, Hawaii), John Fonseca (Northbrook, Ill.) andĀ DougĀ Selchan (North Huntington, Pa.) each won a gold medal in men’s kumiteĀ inĀ their respective weight divisions to give the U.S. a total of fiveĀ individual gold medals. Akiru Fukuda (Huntington Beach, Calif.) andĀ KellieĀ Kennedy (Seattle, Wash.) won gold medals in men’s and women’s kata on Sunday.

“We started with gold, and we ended with gold,” an elated U.S. headĀ coachĀ Tokey Hill said. “I can’t ask for more out of my boys and girls thanĀ that.Ā They delivered.”Ā Ā Kotaka came back to defeat Alberto Espejo (COL) in the finals of the underĀ 65kg. After giving up the first point with 2:43 remaining, KotakaĀ scoredĀ five times and held Espejo scoreless for the remainder of the bout.Ā  “It was really nerve-wracking, but once we got out there, the jittersĀ wereĀ gone and it was time to fight,” Kotaka said. “I initiated the attackĀ and heĀ (Espejo) countered it on the first point. But I knew that sooner or later,Ā because there were three minutes, I could come back and get someĀ points back.”

Fonseca never trailed in his bout against N.L. Sardenberg (BRA) in theĀ men’s under 80kg, needing only two minutes to score the maximum pointsĀ toĀ earn the gold.Ā “He (Sardenberg) is a very strong fighter, very sharp,” Fonseca said.Ā “ButĀ Ā every body has good and bad days, and I felt very on today and maybe he wasĀ a little off.”

Selchan completed the karate competition with a hard fought win over Altamiro Cruz (BRA) in the men’s over 80kg. The bout was stoppedĀ severalĀ Ā times after Selchan suffered a scratch above his right eye early inĀ theĀ match. Selchan recovered to take a 3-2 lead with 27 seconds remainingĀ andĀ then scored an Ippon with 10 seconds remaining to put the match out ofĀ reach. Cruz scored with three seconds left, but time expired withĀ SelchanĀ leading 5-3.Ā “I knew I had it all along,” Selchan said,

“Not to sound conceited,Ā butĀ Ā this week I was very confident. I was in pretty good shape, feltĀ strong and felt good. I needed this win. It was a big win for me.”

Men’s Kumite Individual +80kg Gold Medal Match

  • Doug Selchan (USA)
  • Altamiro Cruz (BRA)
  • 3T. Manuel Costa (URU)
  • 3T. Yoel Diaz (CUB)

Norwin Student Gets a Kick From Karate -Pittsburgh Post Gazette By Torsten Ove