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Cartwill Viola – winning one cart wheel kick at a time

Cartwill Viola – winning one cart wheel kick at a time The Cartwheel Kick The cartwheel kick became a Western Pennsylvania phenomenon thanks to Billy Blanks, the martial artist and Tae Bo pioneer, who dazzled crowds at Bill Viola Sr.’s karate tournaments in the early 1980s. Blanks’ acrobatics and explosive power left a lasting mark...

Pittsburgh Martial Arts

Pittsburgh Martial Arts: How Kumite Classic & Viola Karate Are Shaping the Region’s Combat-Sports Legacy Pittsburgh martial arts is experiencing a powerful surge in visibility, driven by world-class events and a homegrown dojo with more than five decades of excellence. At the center of it all stands the Kumite Classic, the region’s premier martial-arts showcase,...

Gabby Viola “3rd Generation” Black Belt Karate Kickboxing

Gabby Viola Joins the Viola Kickboxing & Karate Legacy Pittsburgh martial arts legacy continues… 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...