Category Archives: olympic

The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) Junior World Kickboxing Championships was held August 22nd to September 1st 2024 at Bok Hall in Budapest, Hungary. A record-breaking 3028 entries made the event the largest world championship league’s 47-year history. In all, 68 countries participated in the Olympic-style competition.

National Team members 15-year-old Xander Eddy and 14-year-old Gabby Viola represented the United States of America and became the first world medalists in Pennsylvania history. Eddy won silver in the -63kg Older Cadet division and Viola won bronze in the -50kb Older Cadet division. Eddy also added a bronze medal in the team competition.

Both athletes train at the Allegheny Shotokan Karate Dojo in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania and members of kumite.pro. The school has been serving the greater Pittsburgh region since 1969 under the supervision of Sensei Bill Viola Sr. and Sensei Bill Viola Jr. Joining them in Budapest were 12-year-old Carter Griffith from Penn Trafford and 16-year-old Riley Evans of West Hempfield. Griffith was able to advance to round #3 after a win over China but fell to Poland the eventual gold medalist. Riley was eliminated in preliminary rounds by Greece.

Viola and Eddy are members of WAKO Team USA the only kickboxing organization with American Olympic Committee (AOC) status. Bill Viola Jr. is the Chairman of Tatami Sports for WAKO USA and a coach for USA Kickboxing. According to Viola Jr., “Gabby and Xander have poised themselves as elite athletes on a global scale. This was a major step towards and Olympic dream. They put Pittsburgh on the map for kickboxing.”

Opening ceremonies was held by former Hungarian President Pal Schmitt and Dr. Raffaele Chiulli from Italy, President of ARISF (Association of IOC) Recognized International Sports Federations. The group was evaluating WAKO for inclusion to the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Africa. Kickboxing is an Olympic sport that was shortlisted for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, and WAKO officials are hopeful for a debut at the 2032 Brisbane, Australia Olympic Games. WAKO is the National Governing Body for the sport under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Under the Patronage of the International Olympic Committee.

The WAKO kickboxing organization counts over 120 affiliated countries representing all five continents as the governing body of amateur kickboxing and officially recognized as an official kickboxing governing body by Sport Accord. WAKO is recognized by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). Viola and Eddy hope to represent America in the Olympics in 2032. They will be 22 and 23-years-old respectively. Viola Jr. continues, “Xander and Gabby are role models of determination, discipline and focus. Martial arts teaching respect, and they have been great ambassadors for the United States.”

Gabby Viola defeated:
Austria
Greece
Italy
Ireland
Bulgaria
Slovenia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United Kingdom
Mexico
China
Belgium
Poland

Xander Eddy defeated:
South Africa
Italy
Czech Republic
Ireland
Hungary
Cyprus
Austria
Great Britain
Greece
Poland
China
Mexico
Switzerland

Olympic Glory

August 12, 2021

Bill Viola

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Olympic Aspirations Hit Home in North Huntingdon 🥇🥋

Karate made its Olympic debut last week in Tokyo, Japan the birthplace of the sport, but for one local dojo it’s been a long time coming. Students filled the parking lot of Allegheny Shotokan “Viola Karate” 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, “It’s taken over 40 years for Karate to make its way to the Games, and we’ve been cheering every step of the way.”

The Viola’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 karate’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. Viola’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 “Pioneer of USA Karate” 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 “Top 5 Female” competitors in the country. At the 2021 US Open in Florida she was awarded 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. 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 Sánchez of Spain became the first-ever Gold Medalist in the sport on August 5^th 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 “Sandra,” 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 “only” 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, “I’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.” 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

February 13, 2020

Bill Viola

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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 23^rd 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

Meet Gabby Viola and Lucy Lokay – Rising stars in Sport Karate

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Peoples-Choice Download

#gabbyviola #lucylokay #karategirls #karate #pittsburgh

USA Karate Pioneer Award – Olympic Movement

March 12, 2019

Bill Viola

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Stow, Ohio-The USA Karate Federation has unveiled its 2019 Hall of Fame Class, to be inducted at a black-tie ceremony on March 9, at the SYB Party Center 4157 Hudson Drive Stow, Ohio. Bill Viola of Pittsburgh, PA was nominated as an inductee into the Hall of Fame as a Pioneer of USA Karate for his contributions to the Olympic karate movement during the 1980s and 1990s. He is a previous member of the class of 2003, inducted as USA Karate “Man of Year” and “Distinguished Service.” His son Bill Viola Jr., was nominated as an Athlete but was unable to attend the ceremony.

The 2019 Hall of Fame Class includes the entirety of the overall effort to raise the standing of Karate competition to Olympic quality. This includes individuals who competed Nationally and Internationally as athletes, Regional Sports Organization Administrators, and National and International referees, coaches and officials.

usakf — Shihan Bill Viola and Shihan Mike Bukala – Olympic Karate Pioneers under WUKO, AAU, USA Karate

All of the inductees were selected by a determination of a selection committee of the USA Karate Federation and past members of the Hall of Fame.

This year the USA Karate Federation will also honor its former President, the late George E. Anderson, who is world renowned as man responsible for getting the Olympic Karate Movement started by posthumously awarding him a 10^th Dan in Karate. Hanshi Anderson had over 50 years of martial arts experience, and was President of both the AAU Karate and USA Karate programs as well as a member of the United States Olympic Committee. He was also the founder of the USA Karate Federation (USAKF), which became the National Governing Body for Sport Karate in the United States. Internationally Anderson was President of the Pan American Union of Karate-do Organization, and was senior vice-president of the World Union of Karate-do Organizations, the international governing body for sport karate as well as serving as their chief referee.

usa karate george anderson — George Anderson

Sadly, and unexpectedly, Anderson passed away on August 6, 2009. However, in 18-months his dream of having karate participate in the Olympic Games will become a reality in Tokyo 2020. In his honor, the USA Karate Federation will be presenting special Pioneer Awards for those who helped Anderson achieve Olympic recognition.

“For many years the best karate athletes in the United States were part of the USA Karate Federation. This is where the Olympic Karate movement started, and today the coaches, administrators, and athletes of the USA can thank the pioneers of the USAKF for making their Olympic dreams come true,” said Patrick Hickey, current president of the USAKF. “We are thrilled to induct another outstanding group of individuals into our Hall of Fame. This event is truly a special night to honor their accomplishments and recognize the foundation they have laid for the karate athletes of today.”

In 1987 Shihan Viola established USA Karate Allegheny Mountain Region. The RSO was a qualifier for the USA Karate Federation (USAKF) National Championships for over a decade. The USAKF was the national governing body for Karate in the United States (1985-1995), and member of the US Olympic Committee. George Anderson (USAKF President) was the father of “Olympic Karate” Without his contributions and his team during the 1980s and 1990s karate would have not reached the Pan American Games. In 1992 Viola hosted the USA Karate Junior Olympics at the University of Pittsburgh Field House with Master George Anderson. Sensei Bill Viola Jr. was a triple Gold Medalist at the Jr. Olympics. The only athlete to win Gold in kata, kumite and kobudo.

USA Karate Team Members Jack Bodell, Rich Sowash, Doug Selchan and Dustin Baldis began their training at the school. Bodell was the first black belt promoted by Shihan Viola and would go on to be a member of the United States Secret Service protecting President Jimmy Carter. He also served as a referee for CV Productions during the Tough Guy Contest craze (The first mixed martial arts competitions in America). Bodell would open additional schools in the late 1980s including West Newton, PA (School of Orthodox Shotokan Karate). Their he oversaw Selchan and Baldis before relocating south to Memphis, Tenn. Selchan took over as head instructor for the dojo. Doug went on the win a Gold Medal the 1999 Pan-American Games in the +80kg Kumite for the United States. While in Tennessee, Bodell trained USA Karate Team Member Clay Morton.

Shihan Viola was inducted into the USA Karate Hall of Fame and honored as the 2003 Man of the year (Lifetime Achievement). Bill Jr. was a USA Karate All-American Athlete, multi-time National Champion and Member of USA Karate team in late 1990s.

#usakf #usakarate #aau #wuko #wkf