USA Kickboxing sanctions combat sports in two disciplines Tatami and Ring Sports in the United States. President Rob Zbilski recently appointed Bill Viola Jr., as the Chairman and Director of Tatami Sports in the United States.  His role is to help spearhead USA Kickboxing towards the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia. Viola along with the WAKO USA Tatami committee recently organized the National Championships. Viola said, “This was our most competitive and largest nationals to date. Viola says, “We are excited to have Western Pennsylvanian athletes will be represented at the WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations) Junior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary this fall.”

Viola explains, “Every national, Pan-American, and World championship inches us closer to a potential Olympic debut.”  USA Kickboxing is the only U.S. organization in the sport of kickboxing to have IOC (International Olympic Committee) & AOC (American Olympic Committee) recognition. The athletes compete at the highest of levels, qualifying in our National Championship Tournaments to earn their spots on the team to compete internationally at the Pan-American Championships, World Games and the World Combat Games. WAKO USA serves as the gateway to the Olympics. The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) the National Governing Body for the sport under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. 

The USA Kickboxing Team Trials were held February 8-11^th 2024 in Orlando, Florida at the Wyndham Resort Convention Center. Viola also sent his dojo to compete for the national team. Standouts, Gabby Viola (13-year-old) and Xander Eddy (15-year-old), earned spots on the US Kickboxing Team by winning the National Championships this past weekend.  It is the first time any black belt from the Pittsburgh region has earned WAKO USA titles and selection to represent at Jr. World Championships. 

Viola won the -50 KG older cadets female fighting division, while Eddy captured the -57 KG older cadets division.  Viola defeated the top athletes from New York and Texas in the semi-finals and finals to secure a gold medal, while Eddy defeated foes from Texas and Florida in the semi-finals and finals. The two young champions have positioned themselves as the top female and male junior competitors from the region.

 

We are confident in our junior athletes headed to Budapest in August and our senior athletes competing in Chile [Vina del Mar] in October. Tatami champions from Chile will earn a slot in the prestigious World Games in Chengdu, China [August 2025].”  Viola explains, “Xander is a highly decorated Kick Boxer who won the Pan American Championships in Cancun Mexico in 2018.” Eddy was the youngest ever to win Pan American gold for the United States.  Gabby is fresh off  WKC (World Kickboxing Commission) Titles in Killarney, Ireland (2022) and triple gold medal performance at the WKC Worlds in 2023.”  Coach Viola says this about his daughter, “Gabby flew into the team trials straight from an infusion at UPMC Children’s hospital.  Trying to make weight, fight, and win under those conditions is amazing.”  Gabby was diagnosed with incurable bowel disease at age seven.  She’s battled severe bleeding, dehydration, abdominal pain, cramping and joint and skin inflammation over her career.

In his first national championship, 12-year old Carter Griffin was able to secure a Gold Medal in -37 KG Younger Cadets division, 16-year-old Riley Evans took the -50 KG Junior Division, and 19-year-old Daniel Barrett won the -69 KG Senior Division. 

In addition to WAKO Worlds, these athletes are also preparing to compete in Albufeira, Portugal in October, 2024.  Viola explains, “This is a 365 days of the year type of sport. There is no off season; no breaks.  We train six days a week and sacrifice a lot to travel and represent Pittsburgh and America on the largest platform for kick boxing and sport karate. Currently, the US government does not financially support these athletes, like the other nations.  They must fundraise independently, and have set up a 501.c3 charitable organization to help support their dreams.”  Viola continues, “We hope Pittsburgh corporations will get behind these kids to help and sponsor them towards ‘Gold’. These are honor students, role models, and the type of examples we need.”  Karate and kick boxing (formerly called full-contact karate) is rooted in tradition, honor, discipline, and respect.           

The champions train out of Allegheny Shotokan Viola Karate Dojo.  The Pittsburgh area dojo has been building “Black Belts in Life” since 1969 and is the only member of WAKO USA in Western PA.  To learn more about these tremendous athletes can be found at www.kumite.pro (724-640-2111)