Tag Archives: team kumite

🥋Ranked #1 Karate School and Team In Pittsburgh

Team Kumite has been the most successful sport karate school team in the Pittsburgh region. The team was established in 2000 after a void was left from 1980s/1990s powerhouse X-Caliber National Team. X-Caliber’s were lead by Captain Mike Shurina (NASKA/NBL World Champion) and coached by Leonard Jackson.

x caliber karate team — Bill Viola Jr, Todd Humes, CJ, Doug Selchan, Mike Shurina @ Bluegrass Nationals

X-Caliber was a Western Pennsylvania sport karate team that fought out of Pittsburgh. Members included Bill Viola Jr., Doug Slechan,Todd Humes, Masai Turner, and other Western PA All-Stars. It was the first Jr. Team from the region during the team fighting boom era of the 1980s and 1990s. It was the first time in Pittsburgh that Jr. competitors from separate schools joined to represent a one team. The result was magic…

The UPSETS: X-Caliber was a “local” Pittsburgh-only based team that took on all the National Powerhouses of the era… and won. They often fought hand picked teams with champions from around the United States. At the the NASKA Capitol Classics in Washington DC, X-Caliber upset the unbeaten Jr. SMASH team. SMASH was considered the elite team to beat since they were sponsored by Sport Karate Magazine. The SMASH team was made up #1 ranked kids in NASKA from USA and Canada. X-Caliber was the first team to ever beat them.

x caliber karate team pittsburgh — X-Caliber From Pittsburgh Upsets National SMASH Team

Then at the Ocean State Nationals in Rhode Island, X-Caliber upset the then unbeaten Metro All-Stars in Team Fighting. The word was out, Pittsburgh had some of the top Jr. competitors in the nation. The team was absorbed by the New York City based Metro-All Stars in the early 1990s coached by Hector Santiago. They became the most dominate Jr. team in sport karate history winning NASKA and NBL World Titles.

metro all stars karate — Mike Shurina, Masai Turner, Bill Viola Jr. with the Metro squad

By the mid-1990s Metro had lost its sponsorship and the older players had moved on to start families. Pittsburgh was without a national team until 2000 when Kumite Internatinal was established. It was to pay respect to the road that X-Caliber had paved. Since its inception, “Team Kumite” has been a fixture at the largest events in North American Sport Karate.

best karate school in pittsburgh — Pittsburgh’s Top Ranked Karate School Team

The Team trains @ Allegheny Shotokan “Viola” Karate School, established by “Shihan” Bill Viola Sr. The school has been the most active tournament dojo in the Pittsburgh region and Western Pennsylvania for nearly 50 years. Through its sister program, The Norwin Ninjas, they are constantly searching for young new talent to work with. The Viola Family is internationally renowned, for coaching champions at all levels.

master bill viola — Shihan Bill Viola Sr. The Authority for Martial Arts in the area

Our karate school staff has experience working with everyone from Olympic-level competitors to professional sports athletes from the NFL and MLB. “Home of National, International, and World Champions.”

The Viola Karate dojo has produced champions in Mixed Martial Arts MMA, Kickboxing, sport karate, and traditional karate.

A few recent Team Kumite Karate accomplishments:

A few recent accomplishments on why they are the best karate school in Pittsburgh for sport karate include:

Team Kumite wins Pittsburgh’s Largest Martial Arts Championships

The Viola Karate School was honored as the “Top Team” at the 2017 Kumite Classic martial arts championships at the 18th annual Pittsburgh Fitness Expo on May 26-27 at Monroeville Convention Center.

The Kumite Classic is the region’s largest multi-sport convention, with over 100,000 square feet of competitions and participation from around the world.

Team Kumite Earn Pro Status #WAKO North American Open

Team Kumite, a Pittsburgh-based all-star travel karate school team, achieved Pro Status winning Open Weight Grand Champions at the North American Open at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

“It is pretty exciting,” Team Kumite coach and president of Kumite Classic Entertainment Bill Viola Jr. said. “It is the first time anyone from the Pittsburgh area has earned these titles. We are very honored and excited to represent this region on a larger scale.”

Other winners came from Mexico, Great Britain, Quebec and two from California.

“There were only eight pro winners in the world, and three came from our school,” Viola said of the North Huntingdon-based facility. “I am super excited as a coach. We were very fortunate. We have a great squad and great group of kids that push each other. I am impressed but not surprised. They showed it all season long what their skill level is.”

Member of Team USAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01XPVtbHYqw

Kick Parkinson’s Disease

October 2, 2017

Bill Viola Jr.

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Team Kumite Kick’s Parkinson’s Disease @ PIND 5K

8-year-old Rayden Galley, a member of “Team Kumite” (all-star karate team from Pittsburgh) was the top fundraiser at the PIND (Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases) 5K walk/run/kick. Over 600 participants supported the cause held September 4th at Boyce Park in Monroeville.

Sean Logan Rayden Galley — Former Senator Sean Logan with Rayden Galley

PIND offers a unique twist to the traditional 5K by incorporating a “Kick-a-thon” portion where local martial artists literally kick for a mile non-stop alongside the walkers. It is a first of its kind in event in the region, possibly the country. The estimated amount of kicks thrown by each participant was 2000. With 50 kids joining kick-a-thon category, the total number was nearly 100,000 kicks.

The “Kick” concept was developed former State Senator Sean Logan along with and Irwin native Bill Viola Jr. (owner of Norwin Ninjas and Allegheny Shotokan Karate). Logan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his mid-forties and Viola spent years caring for his Grandmother who passed away from neurodegenerative complications.

Viola said, “The cause is near and dear to my heart. I’ve been looking for a way to fight this epidemic, and having my school ‘Kick’ for a cure was a perfect fit. Building character is an important part of martial arts. My students exceeded my expectations by collecting donations.” Rayden Galley led the group of 50 kickers by donating nearly $500. The karate students in total donated over $4500 to PIND bringing the 2017 efforts to over $100,000 for the entire project with aid from corporate sponsors and the surrounding communities.

PIND spearheads efforts to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s Disease, Stroke, and Alzheimer’s Disease. The kids have already made plans to “Kick Parksinsons” again next year. For more information please visit: PIND5K.org

Top 5 Fundraisers:

Rayden Galley
Michael Barone
Owen Orth
Grace Weinberger
Riley Evans

5K In The Park

kickers — Team Kumite, Viola Karate, Norwin Ninjas support PIND

The PIND takes an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the study of neurodegenerative diseases and their mechanisms, including Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s Disease, Stroke, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Through basic, translation, and clinical research, the PIND seeks to ultimately apply basic laboratory findings in the clinic, transforming the latest scientific findings into new treatments and applications for those affected by neurodegenerative diseases.

PIND 5K Results: https://results.chronotrack.com/event/results/event/event-22347

Walk to Cure Parkinson’s Disease, One Step at a Time

WHAT: Sponsored by UPMC, the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (PIND) is hosting it’s second annual 5K run and 1-mile walk in remembrance and support of all people with Parkinson’s disease. All proceeds will benefit PIND’s research on finding a cure for Parkinson’s.

WHY: Neurodegenerative diseases are estimated to affect approximately one in four Pennsylvanians in their lifetime. The goal of this race is to raise awareness and fund research for neurodegenerative diseases, which currently are not well understood by scientists.

WHO: Neurodegenerative disease patients, caregivers, friends and family members

Race Sponsor UPMC

Platinum Sponsors

Prism, Visit Monroeville, Staples, Monroeville Chamber

Gold Sponsors

Tyler Mountain Water, Power of Bowser, Pat Deon, People, Highmark Health, PNC, Senator Jay Costa, Cohen & Grigsby, Stevens & Lee, Parkinson Foundation of Western PA, Rivers Casino, Tom and Paula McCartney, Anthony Dolan

http://www.wtae.com/article/fighting-to-find-a-parkinson-s-disease-cure-in-pittsburgh/12142022

PITTSBURGH —

Sean Logan spent decades serving the public as a state senator, mayor of Monroeville and head of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

At age 47, his new mission in life is to help find a cure for Parkinson’s disease after being diagnosed.

“Once you find the diagnosis, you can dwell on it and it’s not going to change,” Logan said. “Myself and my family, we made a decision that we would do something.”

Logan has been working with doctors and researchers at the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Oakland, where high-impact research is conducted on diseases like Parkinson’s, ALS and Alzheimer’s.

“I know the cure is going to come out of Pittsburgh. It’s going to come out of PIND,” Logan said. “Maybe getting this at 47 gives me five or 10 or 20 years to help find a cure.”

More than $100,000 was raised through sponsors and community members at the PIND 5K in Boyce Park last year. He hopes to raise more at this year’s event on Labor Day.

Summer Smash Karate Tournament

July 22, 2013

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The first annual Summer Smash is in the books, and team Kumite had an impressive showing at the tournament. Sensei Bill Viola was the head referee and Sensei Ali, Billy and Dom were coordinators.

Billy Leader wins the adult black belt Grand Championship with Gojushihosho proving he is not just a national sparring champion but a well rounded martial artist.

psvitanews.com/diary/fl/

Dominic Leader won the black belt sparring championship while his brother Billy took home the top honors in traditional kata. Cameron Klos won the Jr. Black Belt Sparring title casino jameshallison and Rachel Bartuska took home the advanced grand championship. The team dominiated the kids sparring divisions, and young Brady Johnson had a standout performance winning the 7-8 division. Congrats to everyone who attended. Hope Chase, Bridgid Chase, and Bess Chase aka the Chase sisters all took first places in the Jr. Black Belt divisions. Special thanks to Ron and Diane Cain for serving has head coordinators, and all our NBL friends who were in attendance to support the event.

Congratulations to White Viper and Peter Chase and Bridgid Chase for hosting a fun and organized competition.

Kumite Classic

May 28, 2013

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The Kumite Classic is Pittsburgh’s most prestigious open martial arts championships featuring the very best in sport karate, grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Sign up for Karate or Sign up for Grappling/BJJ

Action shots from the 2013 Kumite Classic – Pittsburgh, PA. Billy Leader executes a double leg take down sweep in the traditional karate division at the tournament. visit http://www.joekleon.com/fastexpo013/2013fastexpo.html for more photos.

The City of Champions

January 31, 2013

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Team Kumite represents Pittsburgh Karate and Martial Arts nationwide at NBL National Black Belt League tournaments, competitions and championships. The team is based in Irwin / North Huntingdon, PA and coached by Bill Viola.

2013 Team Kumite NBL Schedule:

Tecumseh Conference:

Kumite Classic: May 24-25th Contact: Bill Viola

North American Intl’s: Sept.13-14 2013 Contact: Connell Loveless

Spooktacular: Oct.19th 2013 Contact: Christine Fisher

Can-Am Conference:

SMAC: March 8-9th 2013 Contact: Ron Cain

Grand Slam: April 19-20th 2013 Contact: Jeff Doss

Kumite Classic: May 24-25th 2013 Contact: Bill Viola

Team Kumite is a Pittsburgh karate tradition.

Hines Ward Show

October 2, 2012

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Kumite Classic champions represent Pittsburgh Karate on the Hines Ward Show. WPXI host Alby Oxenreiter, Brett Keisel and Hines were on hand for the program that features Positive Athletes in Pittsburgh. Connor Burns, NBL World Champion Dominic Leader, and Coach Bill Viola all represented sport karate and martial arts. Hines was able to learn some karate on air, and warned the Baltimore Ravens to watch out!

Hines Ward demonstrates his best front snap kick and kiai!

Here”s a clip from behind the scenes on the Hines Ward show on youtube:

The demonstration included Hines learning to retrodbonus block a roundhouse kick and counter with a reverse punch. Connor Burns was interviewed by Hines for his community service and taking time out to mentor younger kids. He emphasized self-discipline and the confidence that karate instills. Team Kumite sported the custom kumite classic black & yellow all star gear gloves. Yeah, Champions bleed black & gold! The team is based in North Huntington Irwin, PA. Dominic Leader was the first recipient of the Western PA Positive Athlete award for martial arts last year and continues the tradition of team kumite with the program!

From dancing with the stars, football and even karate, Hines ward is a true sport and great role model! Visit his website http://www.positiveathlete.org/