Category Archives: kumite classic

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.  The weeklong event hosted the world’s best in WKC Tatami-style martial arts competition.  North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania based Allegheny Shotokan “Viola” 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 “Viola” Karate Dojo earned positions to represent the United States at the World Championships. 

Sensei (coach) Bill Viola Jr. said, “I’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.” 

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, “This year was the toughest competition she’s faced at the WKC.  I was very impressed with the British fighters.  They earned my respect.  I’m proud to bring home medals in both my categories.”  Riley Evans agrees, she actually exchanged her team USA uniform with a competitor from England as a keepsake and sign of camaraderie.  Daniel Barrett wasn’t able to garner a medal, but cherished the experience, “I’ve never been overseas, so beyond the competition this is something I’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 🥈 (classical kata) Bronze 🥉 (female -40kg sparring)
  • 14-year old Riley Evans, Silver 🥈 (-45kg continuous sparring), 🥉 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 “Team Kumite” and all-star travel team that trains at the Viola Karate Dojo.  The team will next compete locally at the annual “Christmas Kumite” 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 Gold🥇

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 world’s best in WKC Tatami-style martial arts competition. Pittsburgh based Allegheny Shotokan “Viola” Karate Dojo earned over 20 medals, including top honors from 20-year-old St. Vincent student Cameron Klos, who was recognized as the overall “Grand Champion.”

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 “Viola” 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, “It 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, it’s a special moment. Cameron is leading by example.”

Medaling for Team USA representing Western Pennsylvania
 11-year old Gabby Viola, Gold (female -40kg sparring) Bronze (classical kata)
 12-year-old Xander Eddy, Gold (male -40kg kickboxing) Gold (classical kata) Gold (Traditional Kata) Bronze (male -40kg sparring)
 12-year-old Zoey Bostard Bronze (50+kg sparring) Bronze (50+kg kickboxing)
 12-year-old Rayden Galley Finalist (50+kg sparring and kata)
 14-year-old Riley Evans Bronze (-45kg sparring) Bronze (-45kg kickboxing)
 14-year-old Sammy Pietrzyk, Gold (55+kg female kickboxing team) Gold (55+kg female sparring) Gold
(female team sparring)
 14-year old Kaleb Knock Silver (-55 kg kickboxing) Bronze (-55kg sparring) Bronze (traditional kata)
 15-year-old Austin Hladek, Gold (classical Kata), Gold (traditional Kata), Gold (Weapons), Bronze
(sparring)
 15-year-old Lucy Lokay Bronze (65kg sparring)
 18-year-old Gavin Hladek Finalist (kata & weapons)
 19-year-old Luke Lokay Silver (75kg sparring)
 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 “best of the best.” 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, “It 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 ‘black belt in life’.”

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


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.  9-year-old Gabby Viola and 14-year-old Lucy Lokay were recently honored by the national karate media and their peers with nationwide “People’s Choice Awards.”  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.    

9-year-old Gabby Viola was nominated as “Competitor of the Year” by Point Fighter Live.  The honor, dubbed as a  “Power Award” 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.  She’s following in her Dad Bill Jr. and Grandfather Bill Sr.’s footsteps. She began her training as a toddler and has been a national champion since she debuted at the 2013 Kumite Classic.  She’s a member of Team USA, and defending Gold Medalist from the WKC Nationals Championships.  Gabby is an inspiration to other girls as she’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 Children’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, “I’m really happy.  I hope this helps get me to Japan!” She’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 she’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 “Overall Youth Female” 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, “I was so honored.  I mean these other girls are already starring in TV shows and movies, and I’m just a small town girl. I’m just getting started. It’s crazy.”

Her coach Bill Viola Jr. agrees, “Lucy 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.”  Although Lucy took runner up, just to share the stage with North America’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 “Stuff-a-Store” 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 year’s body of work.  

Gabby Viola and Lucy Lokay Karate girls
Gabby and Lucy

Gabby and Lucy are members of Allegheny Shotokan “Viola” Karate Dojo which recently celebrated its 50 Year Anniversary.  The Dojo was honored with a proclamation from County Executive Rich Fitzgerald who recognized “Sensei Viola Day” 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

Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown Bill Viola jr Bill Viola Sr

Pittsburgh Steeler Team MVP and Pro Bowl Super Star Antonio Brown with Sensei Bill Viola and Master Bill Viola at the Kumite Classic, Pittsburgh, PA.  Allegheny Shotokan Karate is a proud partner of the Kumite Classic.

antonio-brown-towell

2011 Pittsburgh Steeler Team MVP and Pro Bowl Super Star Antonio Brown with Sensei Bill Viola and Master Bill Viola at the 2012 Kumite Classic, Pittsburgh, PA.  Allegheny Shotokan Karate is a proud partner of the Kumite Classic.