Kumite Classic Celebrates 25 Years of Martial Arts Excellence Pittsburgh, PA – In 2025, the Kumite Classic proudly commemorates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century as one of America’s most prestigious and enduring martial arts events. Founded in 1999 by martial arts promoter and author Bill Viola Jr., the Kumite Classic has evolved from a...
Gabby Viola Joins the Viola Karate Legacy On August 17th 2021, Pittsburgh area karate champion Gabby Viola celebrated her 11th birthday and simultaneously became the youngest Black Belt at Allegheny Shotokan, a dojo that dates back to the 1960s. Gabby joins a Pittsburgh karate legacy that includes three generations of Viola black belts including her Grandfather, Bill Viola Sr.,...
Meet Pittsburgh’s very own Karate Kid Gabby Viola! Gabby Viola karate and kickboxing Gabby began training in karate at just two years old at Allegheny Shotokan “Viola” Karate Dojo, becoming the inspiration behind the dojo’s Nursery Ninjas program. A third-generation Viola martial artist, she proudly carries forward a family tradition rooted in discipline, leadership, and...
World Champions Congrats to Team USA and the brought home to the Dojo! The World Karate and Kickboxing Council (WKC) hosted the World Championships November, 3rd -9th in Niagara Falls, New York. The world’s best from 22 countries converged to compete in WKC Tatami-style divisions. The competition was the largest WKC championships in history with...
WTAE Pittsburgh Athlete of the Week – Pittsburgh Karate / Kickboxing Champion, Xander Eddy Guy Junker Reports: Action Athlete: Will air Feb. 1st, 2019 @ 5:30 on WTAE. Set you DVR Xander Eddy won a Gold Medal for Team USA (WAKO World Association of Kickboxing Organizations) National team at the 2018 Pan American Kickboxing Championships in...
WAKO (World Association for Kickboxing Organizations) is the National Governing Body for Kickboxing in the United States and a member of the International Olympic Committee. Read more. 9-year-old Xander Eddy of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, has become the youngest...
“Like Father, Like Daughter – story of Gabby Viola and her father Bill Viola Jr. is a powerful example of how martial arts traditions are passed from one generation to the next. Gabby and Sensei Bill Viola Yoko Geri Kekomi: Sensei Bill Viola Jr. and daughter Gabby viola showing off the side kick (yoko geri...
WAKO Kickboxing Champs – Team USA WAKO Kickboxing Champs – Team USA Congratulations to Xander Eddy and Luke Lokay for earning a spot on “Team USA” at the WAKO National Team Trials in Kansas City. The two have earn spots to represent America at: Jesolo Lido (VE), Italy, 15-23 September 2018: WAKO Cadets and...
Amazon Best Seller Sensei Bill Viola Jr. is recognized as Amazon #1 Best Selling Author with the recent release of Tough Guys Tough Guys is an Amazon best-selling book that tells the story of how Pittsburgh became one of the birthplaces of modern kickboxing and mixed martial arts in the United States. Written by Bill...