Kumite Classic Entertainment (KCE) is a
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based sports production company. It was established in 1999 by
Bill Viola Jr
William "Bill" Viola Jr. (born April 9, 1977) is an international martial arts champion, promoter and author. He is the producer and founder of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based Kumite Classic Entertainment, Kumite Classic.Kelly, Jack (April 16 ...
. KCE specializes in fitness, martial arts, and multi-sport competitions.
The Kumite Classic
“
Kumite” is a Japanese word referring to “fighting.” The company's self-titled “Kumite Classic” is an annual series of
combat sports tournaments, widely regarded as the mecca of
martial arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; a ...
in the Pittsburgh region.
[Love, Mike (May 20, 2012)]
“Fitness and martial-arts enthusiasts pack Monroeville Convention Center for Kumite Classic”
Tribune-Review.
The Kumite Classic has traditionally featured strongman, powerlifting, body building, fitness, figure, and model competitions.
The Kumite Classic showcases traditional and open
karate
(; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ) is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tii'' in Okinawan) under the ...
,
tae kwon do,
tang soo do,
kung fu,
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...
and
Grappling tournaments.
[Love, Michael (May 19, 2015)]
“Pittsburgh Fitness Expo returning to Monroeville”
Tribune-Review.
Notable martial arts and sports celebrities including
Royce Gracie,
Franco Harris,
Antonio Brown,
Lynn Swan
Lynn Curtis Swann (born March 7, 1952) is an American former football player, broadcaster, politician, and athletic director, best known for his association with the University of Southern California and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He served on the ...
,
Ice-T and
Kurt Angle have appeared at the Kumite Classic.
Angle's “Ultimate Teen Challenge,” a strength competition, was launched at the 2005 Kumite Classic and has also expanded to the
Arnold Sports Festival.
Kumite Classic Entertainment took ownership of
Allegheny Shotokan Karate in 2016.
Pittsburgh Fitness Expo
Kumite Classic hosts the annual Pittsburgh Fitness Expo, a full scale consumer convention that promotes health and wellness in the
Western Pennsylvania region. The expo is held at the
Monroeville Convention Center over Memorial Day Weekend.
Publishing
In 2013, the company established Kumite Classic Press and released ''
Godfathers of MMA'', a
mixed martial arts non-fiction book inspired by the life of
Bill Viola Sr. and the rise and fall of
CV Productions and the
Tough Guy Contest
The Tough Guy Contest, founded in 1979 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by CV Productions, Inc., introduced regulated mixed martial arts competition in the United States and established the first MMA league.
The Tough Guy contest was also promoted ...
.
The book is the subject of the documentary film ''
Tough Guys'' (2017) produced by MinusL Inc.
Kumite Classic published a commemorative edition of Godfather's of MMA retitled Tough Guys (2017) which peaked at #1 on the Amazon best sellers list in the individual sports category. The launch was synchronized with the network television debut of Tough Guys on Showtime.
Published works
*Viola Jr., Bill (2014). Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of an American Sport. Kumite Classic Entertainment.
*Viola Jr., Bill (2016). Go Ask Your Dad: Questions, Answers, and Stories about Fathers, Fatherhood, and Being a Parent (Volume 1). Kumite Classic Entertainment.
*Viola Jr., Bill (2017).
Tough Guys. Kumite Classic Entertainment.
*Viola Jr., Bill (2020). CommonSensei: Sensei Says. Kumite Classic Entertainment.
*Viola Jr., Bill (2020). CommonSensei: Goal Pagoda. Kumite Classic Entertainment.
References
{{reflist
External links
Official WebsitePittsburgh Fitness Expo
Sports organizations established in 1999
Martial arts competitions
Recurring sporting events established in 1999
Multi-sport events
1999 establishments in Pennsylvania