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KI is brining the Tri-State area all-stars together. The mission of Team
Kumite is to give our local and regional competitors the support, recognition, and sponsorship they deserve on a national
scale. A wide range of unique programs are developed to help rectify the injustices and overcome the obstacles that contemporary
martial artists face. The projects help foster and encourage youth to believe in themselves while emphasizing the importance
of self-esteem, self-confidence, self-control, self-respect, and the spirit of loyalty and faith in American traditions and
institutions.
Western Pennsylvania has rich tradition of producing some of
finest sport karate competitors in the country. The 1980s saw super stars Billy Blanks, Jack Bodell and Leonard
Jackson bring notoriety to our area. During the 1990s we saw champions such as Doug Selchan, Todd
Humes, Masai Turner, Bill Viola Jr., Dustin Baldis, and Mike
Shurina excel at international open and traditional events.
We saw the first real
all-star team in PA history, X-Caliber, take on
the world. The X-Caliber's are credited as being the first
team ever to defeat the National powerhouse SMASH and METRO National Teams. X-Caliber defeated SMASH at NASKAs Capitol Classics in Washington, DC. The squad lead
by Mike Shurina then defeated The METRO All-Stars at NASKAs Ocean State Grand Nationals in Warwick, RI. To this day, the general consensus is that X-Caliber won the 1990 Super
Grands in Niagara Falls. In the hearts and
minds of X-Caliber, they were the true World Champions. The team was forced to
breakup shortly after as a result of financial constraints and lack of sponsorship. Mike Shurina, Bill Viola Jr., Masai
Turner, and Todd Humes were household names on the national circuit. This local team was the pride of Western PA. X-Caliber beat many of the nations best fully sponsored teams.
To all potential champions in the tri-state area, we have developed
a platform to recognize your efforts. Team KI offers FREE world class coaching and team practices along with advancement,
sponsorship, and travel opportunities. We do not shelter our athletes, we take on the biggest and the best competitions in
the nation including: NBL, NASKA, KicKiss, Karate World, PKRA, USAKF, Promoters Plus, Krane, and the USA-NKF.
| Team Kumite International Tryouts |
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| Silver Team Uniforms |
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