The Kumite Classic www.kumiteclassic.com is one of the most diverse martial arts and fitness events in the United States. The annual show based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is held over Memorial Day Weekend. The event hosts a full scale consumer expo surrounded by multiple championships and competitions that run simultaneously including sports such as sport karate, natural bodybuilding, power lifting, strongman, Olympic weight lifting, dance, cheer, arm wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu, physical fitness challenges etc. The event also hosts concerts, talent showcases, model pageants, bikini pageants, and fitness pageants. The high energy atmosphere has created a unique fan base of combat sports and martial arts enthusiasts.
The Kumite Classic is part of The NBL (National Black Belt League) and acts as a Can-Am National Championship. The event attracts international and world champions to the Pittsburgh region each year. The Kumite Classic is Pittsburgh’s premier karate and martial arts tournament. The Kumite Classic is also the most established Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling championship in the area. The event played host to the first ever BJJ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament in the region over a decade ago.
Sport Karate or Sport Martial Arts showcases the best of the best from all point based fighting arts. They are open competitions that allow athletes from all disciplines to participate such as karate, tae kwon do, tang soo do, kung fu to compete on a common platform under a universal set of rules.
The Kumite Classic was founded by NBL Hall of Fame member Bill Viola. Viola a former USA Karate All-American Athlete and international sport karate champion has over 30 years martial arts experience. His father Bill Viola Sr. is a pioneer of karate in the Pittsburgh region, founding Allegheny Shotokan Karate in 1969.
Pittsburgh “City of Champions” The prestigious Kumite Classic is synonymous with athletic excellence recently honored with the Pittsburgh M.V.P. Award at the Willie Stargell Memorial Banquet. Over the past thirty years legends such as Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali have attended the banquet.
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The Kumite Classic, Pittsburgh’s most exciting karate martial arts tournament, championship, competition.