Pittsburgh Olympic Martial Arts Movement

Foundations of an Olympic Vision

In 1969, Bill Viola Sr. founded Allegheny Shotokan Karate in Pittsburgh, establishing one of the region’s earliest pipelines for disciplined, sport-based karate. As competitive karate evolved nationally, it entered a formal Olympic-style governance structure through the USA Karate Federation (USAKF)—then the recognized U.S. authority aligned with the United States Olympic Committee.

During the 1980s, Viola Sr. served as a USAKF Regional Administrator, helping organize sanctioned competition and athlete development within this Olympic-track framework.

A National Karate Stage in Pittsburgh

In 1992, Pittsburgh became a focal point of America’s karate movement when Bill Viola Sr. hosted the USA Karate Junior Olympics at the University of Pittsburgh Field House. This national youth championship brought athletes from across the country to compete under USOC-recognized rules—cementing Pittsburgh’s role as a hub for elite, youth-focused martial arts development.

A New Generation of Kickboxing, New Olympic Line

Decades later, the Olympic movement expanded beyond karate into kickboxing. The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the world governing body for kickboxing, with WAKO USA serving as the U.S. national authority.

Building on his father’s foundation, Bill Viola Jr. brought this next chapter to the same city—hosting WAKO USA National Championships in Pittsburgh. These events operated under IOC-aligned governance and served as official Team USA selection pathways for international competition.

Across two generations and two globally recognized combat sports, the Viola family helped anchor Pittsburgh within development landscape:

• Karate under USAKF Kickboxing under WAKO – both recognized by the International Olympic Committee

In the 1980s–early 1990s, the USA Karate Federation (USAKF) was the official National Governing Body (NGB) for karate in the United States, recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). During this era:

• Karate was being organized nationally using national governance

• USAKF sanctioned national championships, international team selection, and Junior Olympic events

Bill Viola Sr., founder of Allegheny Shotokan Karate in Pittsburgh, played a direct role in that pathway system.

• Served as a USAKF Regional Administrator

• Helped build national competition infrastructure in the Northeast

• Hosted the USA Karate Junior Olympics in Pittsburgh (1992) at the University of Pittsburgh Field House

• Brought youth athletes from across the country to compete under USOC-recognized rules

These Junior Olympics were national developmental championships operating under the same governance structure used by Olympic feeder sports.

This positioned Pittsburgh as a national hub for karate long before karate officially appeared in the Games.

Bill Viola Jr., WAKO & Olympic Recognized Kickboxing

Fast-forward a generation — the Olympic movement expands from karate into kickboxing.

World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) is:

• The official world governing body for kickboxing

• Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

• Aligned in the U.S. through WAKO USA, the national governing body

Bill Viola Jr.’s Role

Building on the foundation his father laid, Bill Viola Jr. became a key organizer and host in the modern kickboxing era:

• Hosted WAKO USA National Championships in Columbus, Ohio with the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic. 

• Brought IOC-recognized kickboxing that parallels  his father’s  hosted USAKF Junior Olympics decades earlier

• Created a direct Olympic pathway for youth and elite athletes through:

  • WAKO Nationals

  • Team USA selection

  • International championships (Pan Ams, Worlds)

These events were run under international governance standards, including:

• National federation oversight

• International rule sets

• Anti-doping alignment

• Official Team USA selection procedures

The Viola legacy uniquely spans both eras.

• Bill Viola Sr. helped build karate’s structure in the U.S.

• Bill Viola Jr. helped usher kickboxing into the Olympic movement

• Pittsburgh served as the host city for both generations

1969

Foundation of Allegheny Shotokan Karate

• Bill Viola Sr. establishes Allegheny Shotokan Karate in Pittsburgh

• One of the earliest sport-karate pipelines in the region

• Lays groundwork for national competition

Bill Viola Sr., USAKF & the Junior Olympics (Karate)

1980s

Karate Enters the Governance Structure

• USA Karate Federation (USAKF) recognized as the U.S. governing body

• USAKF operates under the United States Olympic Committee structure

• Bill Viola Sr. serves as USAKF Regional Administrator, helping organize national-level competition in the Northeast

1992

USA Karate Junior Olympics — Pittsburgh

• Bill Viola Sr. hosts the USAKF Junior Olympics

• Venue: University of Pittsburgh Field House

• National youth championship under USOC-recognized governance

• Positions Pittsburgh as a national Olympic-pathway karate city2000s

Legacy Expansion & Athlete Development

• Viola family continues producing national champions, coaches, and organizers

• Olympic-style structure and youth development remain central to the program

2010s

Kickboxing Joins the Olympic Movement

• World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) becomes IOC-recognized

• WAKO designated as the official world governing body for kickboxing

• WAKO USA established as the U.S. National Governing Body

2010s–Present

WAKO USA Nationals — Pittsburgh

• Bill Viola Jr. hosts WAKO USA National Championships

• Recognized kickboxing competition under IOC governance

• Events serve as Team USA qualifiers for international championships

2020s

Two Generations. One Line.

• Karate officially debuts at the Olympic Games (Tokyo)

• Kickboxing continues its development through WAKO

• Viola family uniquely spans both Olympic-recognized eras:

  • Karate (USAKF → USOC)

  • Kickboxing (WAKO → IOC)