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Date Title Author Publication
8/12/2023 Author Bill Viola Jr. of North Huntingdon urges readers to ‘earn black belt in life’ Beckner, Bill Tribune Review
8/11/2023 Bill Viola Jr. Releases New Self-Help Book – Common Sensei: How To Earn A Black Belt In Life Cristi, A.A> Broadway World
7/22/2023 Viola dojo competitors shine at national championships Beckner, Bill Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
9/24/2022 Pittsburgh’s world champion martial artist packs a fierce punch Behanna, Garrett CBS News
8/29/2022 Inner Page Allen Wagner WEDO Radio 93.3 FM 810 AM
8/27/2022 The Battle Of The Tough Guys:’ Tracing modern-day MMA back to its roots in Pittsburgh Damp, Patrick CBS News
2/3/2022 North Huntingdon girl succeeds in karate despite health challenges Joe Naposha Pittsburgh Tribune Review
2/3/2022 Yahoo! Entertainment North Huntingdon girl succeeds in karate despite health challenges Joe Naposha Yahoo! Entertainment
11/20/2021 The Karate Kid – Austin Hladek Hinson, Oliver Knight Krier
10/3/2021 New black belt Gabby Viola continuing North Huntingdon family’s storied karate tradition Axelrod, Joshua Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
9/2/2021 Viola karate family takes pride in sport’s Olympic debut Beckner, Bill Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
8/17/2021 Opening act: 2 decades ago ‘NSync was 1st headliner at Heinz Field Harrop, Joanne Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
1/1/2021 Illustrious Californian Alumni Assocation Cal U Review (Fall 2020)
12/8/2020 Martial Arts Masters & Pioneers Biography: Chuck Norris – Giving Back For A Lifetime Bowen, Jesse Who’s Who in the Martial Arts
12/6/2020 Bill Viola Sr., Viola Jr. to receive national karate recognition Love, Michael Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
12/6/2020 Bill Viola Sr., Viola Jr. to receive national karate recognition Love, Michael Newsbreak.com
11/5/2020 Inspired to help others, North Huntingdon woman donates kidney Napsha, Joe Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
10/5/2020 2020 Alumni Award Retrospective  Barnhart, Ryan California University
10/6/2020 Vulcan Nation Alumni Awards Special Edition.  Barnhart, Ryan Vulcan Nation
7/10/2020 Lower Burrell’s Caliguri to be honored at martial arts legends awards ceremony Love, Michael Trib Live
6/16/2020 How Pennsylvania’s Tough Guy Contest Gave Birth to Modern Day MMA Stagliano, Matt Skillset Magazine
9/28/2019 Allegheny County recognizes ‘Sensei’ Viola for devotion to karate Business News What’s Up Norwin
9/26/2019 Allegheny County recognizes ‘Sensei’ Viola for devotion to karate Trombola, Nick Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
9/24/2019 Allegheny Shotokan Karate 50 Year Anniversery Macey, Bob Allegheny County Courthouse
9/24/2019 Allegheny County Council Meeting Fitzgerald, Rich Allegheny County Council
9/22/2019 Governments, students honor North Huntingdon karate instructor Bill Viola Huba, Stephen Pittsburgh Tribune Review
9/1/2019 Forging A Path For Half A Century Viola, Bill Black Belt Magazine
6/28/2019 Norwin martial artists to represent Team USA at WKC world championships Staff Report Trib Live
5/14/2019 Two Pittsburgh Tough Guys Made MMA Safe for Everyone but Themselves Bateman, Oliver MEL Magazine
5/1/2019 Readers Choice Rocco, Jessica Tribune-Review
2/1/2019 Action Athlete: North Huntingdon kickboxing kid brings home the gold Junker, Guy WTAE
12/1/2018 Alumni Updates Pitt Staff Pitt Magazine
12/1/2018 Alumni Hall Pitt Staff Pitt Magazine
11/29/2018 A Lifelong Journey Peirce, Paul Norwin Star (front page)
11/11/2018 North Huntingdon 9-year-old claims international kickboxing title Huba, Stephen Pittsburgh Tribune-review
11/9/2018 North Huntingdon youth claims kickboxing gold medal at Pan American championships Kadilak, Karen Trib Live
10/27/2018 Viola Karate – Building Champions in Life Williams, Clem Pittsburgh Tribune-review
10/25/2018 When Rehab Goes Right Lammie, Nancy Guide to Good Health
10/20/2018 Kicking for a Cure Tafe, Nicole In Community
10/8/2018 North Huntingdon men still kicking as martial arts masters Peirce, Paul Pittsburgh Tribune-review
10/6/2018 Despite medial issues, extreme heat, 3rd annual PIND 5k a hit Carr, Dillion Trib Live
9/4/2018 Martial artists kick their way through research fundraiser Pickels, Mary Trib Live
8/23/2018 Boyce Park 5K event to raise funds for Parkinson’s research Carr, Dillion Pittsburgh Tribune-review
8/7/2018 Karate kid Gabby Viola kicks back  Pickels, Mary Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
7/20/2018 Allegheny Shotokan students compete at US Open World championships Hartlep, Bill Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
7/6/2018 THE EARLY YEARS OF MMA WERE A ‘NO-HOLDS-BARRED FREAKSHOW’ THAT COULDN’T BE MORE DIFFERENT FROM… Bateman, Oliver MEL Magazine
6/20/2018 Dr. Freddie Fu Gives Karate Standout a Second Chance Viola, Bill UPMC
6/6/2018 The Early Years of MMA Were a ‘No-Holds-Barred Freakshow’  Bateman, Oliver MEL Magazine
4/7/2018 Norwin’s Russell shows no weakness Dunlap, Shane Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
4/7/2018 Whether it’s softball or karate, Norwin’s Russell shows no weakness Beckner, Bill Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
3/14/2018 Perserving Tough Guys Heritage Holtschlag, Heather In Community
2/12/2018 Karate School Helps Needy Napsha, Joe Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
2/1/2018 How to Organize a Successful Tournament Borkland, Herb MAIA
2017 Who’s Who in Martial Arts – Legends Edition  Bowen, Jesse Who’s Who in the Martial Arts
12/23/2017 Team Kumite earns international titles Trib Staff Trib Live
11/30/2017 Stepping Into The Ring: A Look At MMA’s Local Roots Hacke, Matthew Whirl Magazine
11/11/2017 Book and Film Chronicle Brownsville Native’s Creation of New Sport Zuchowaki, Dave Pennsylvania Bridges
10/16/2017 Tough Guys tops Amazon Charts as best seller MMA Williams, Clem Pittsburgh MMA
10/11/2017 Tough Guys’ book an inspiring read Guth, Jonathan Herald-Standard
10/9/2017 Mike Murray of Colliers remembers being one of the first ‘Tough Guys’ North, Kim Weirton Daily Times
10/8/2017 Colliers man part of ‘Tough Guys’ movie North, Kim Times Leader
10/4/2017 Norwin student leads fundraising efforts to “Kick Parkinson’s Disease” Staff Trib Live
10/1/2017 Whos Who in the Martial Arts Bowen, Jesse ISBN-10: 1387161539
9/21/2017 A Tough Guy Looks Back Himler, Jeff Trib-Norwin Star
9/17/2022 WDVE Baumann, Randy WDVE
9/15/2017 Tough Guys Showtime Network Debut Premiere Staff The Palace Theater
9/15/2017 Showtime documentary proves Pittsburgh-area early mixed martial arts fighters were ‘Tough Guys’ Sciullo, Maria Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
9/15/2017 ‘Tough Guys’ documentary sheds welcome light on forgotten MMA tourney that pre-dates UFC 1 Chiappetta, Mike MMAFighting.com
9/15/2017 Tough Guys – Amazon Viola, Bill KCE Press
9/15/2017 Tough Guys-Showtime Network Debut Premiere Amazon Amazon
9/15/2017 Two locals were instrumental in first MMA event Guth, Jonathan Herald-Standard
9/14/2017 Mixed martial arts pioneer gets TKO in Tough Guys 1980 opener Himler, Jeff Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
9/14/2017 Will Zullo, Henry Roosevelt, Craig DiBiase & Jamie Crowder On Their Film, “Tough Guys” Yahoo Staff Yahoo Entertainment
9/13/2017 Showtime’s ‘Tough Guys’ documentary explores MMA’s early roots Stupp, Dann MMA Junkie
9/13/2017 MMA’s roots right back to Western PA staff Burghline
9/12/2017 Tough Guys’ trace MMA’s roots right back to Western PA Harrop, Joanne Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
9/11/2017 Before UFC, It was all about Tough Guys Viola, Bill Pittsburgh MMA
9/10/2017 “Tough Guys” Explores Grassroots fighting Precursosr to MMA Gables, Rick TV Weekly Now
9/8/2017 Tough Guys – Showtime Showtime Showtime
9/8/2017 New Showtime Doc Tough Guys Explores Origin of MMA TV News Desk Broadway World
9/1/2017 Tough Guys Staff Showtime
8/29/2017 Showtime to Air New ‘Tough Guys’ Documentary on Early Days of MMA Golightly, Justin BJPenn.com
7/24/2017 Team Kumite trio claims gold at North American Open Karpen, Drew Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
7/17/2017 WAKO North American Open Corocan, John MAIA
7/8/2017 Tough Guys’ documentary profiles local creators of MMA Viola, Caliguri Whalen, William Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
7/2/2017 Allegheny Shotokan named ‘top team’ at Kumite Classic Staff Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
6/15/2017 AFI Docs is your ticket to 3 world-premiere films Kirby-Page, Kristen Washington Post
6/14/2017 Morgan Spurlock producing MMA origins documentary Tough Guys Brace, Samuel Flickering Myth
6/13/2017 Morgan Spurlock to Exec Produce MMA Origins Documentary ‘Tough Guys’ (EXCLUSIVE) Mcnary, Dave Varitey
6/13/2017 Academy Award Nominated Morgan Spurlock Joins Academy Award Winner Ross Kauffman New York (SPW) SHOOT
6/1/2017 Wrong Place Wrong Time:  The Real Birthplace of MMA Stagliano, Matt Skillset Magazine
5/31/2017 Photo Gallery: 18th annual Kumite Classic & Fitness Expo Trib Staff Trib Live
5/24/2017 Get pumped for annual Pittsburgh Fitness Expo Trib Staff Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
5/12/2017 AFI Doc Interviews:  Tough Guys AFI American Film Institute
5/12/2017 AFI Docs Line Up Includes ‘Atomic Homefront,’ ‘Saving Brinton,’ ‘Tough Guys’ Premieres Johnson, Ted Varitey
5/5/2017 Pittsburgh Today Live KDKA Staff KDKA
10/19/2016 40 Under 40: 2016 Roddy, Dennis Pittsburgh Magazine
8/24/2016 Book Review:  Godfathers of MMA Guerry, Matthew Whirl Magazine
7/9/2016 Outstanding Performance Staff Trib-Norwin Star
6/27/2016 How Would Reebok Have Done As A Sponsor of MMA Between 1979-1983? Madden, Dave MMA Wreckage
6/15/2016 Alumni News Staff University of Pittsburgh
5/12/2016 Pittsburgh-The Birthplace of Mixed Martial Arts Matches Staff Popular Pittsburgh
5/6/2016 Documentary to feature Milton’s Mixed Martial Arts forefather Little, Aaron Santa Rosa Press Gazeette
5/6/2016 Documentary to feature Milton’s Mixed Martial Arts forefather Little, Aaron Gadsen Times
5/1/2016 An ‘Exponential’ Love of Fitness Holtschlag, Heather In Community
5/1/2016 The Evolution of Karate:  2020 Olympics Viola, Bill Sport Karate Illustrated
2/25/2016 Martial Art of the Month: MMA Bulger, Jake Kung-Fu Kingdom
2/24/2016 From the First Days in Pittsburgh, MMA has Become the Fastest Growing Sport Pro MMA Staff Pro MMA Now
2/19/2016 From Pittsburgh roots, MMA, UFC have grown to staggering heights Bloom, Elizabeth Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2/14/2016 Jacquet Bazemore / Top kickboxer, sparring partner for Muhammad Ali Ove, Torsten Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2/14/2016 RIP Jacquet Bazemore Viola, Bill MMAhistory.org
1/14/2016 SFLC PODCAST EPISODE 89: BILL VIOLA SR., BILL VIOLA JR. & SERENA DEJESUS Kowal, Eric MY MMA News
1/1/2016 Ali vs Inoki – The Forgotten Fight that Inspired MMA Gross, Josh BenBella Books
9/15/2015 Tough Man Contest Mike Murray Dave Jones Staff Steel Nation Magazine
9/13/2015 Before MMA, Tough Guys wowed fans in A-K Valley, throughout state Steele, Jerin Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
7/30/2015 Dana Double Day Viola, Bill MMAhistory.org
7/11/2015 Mixed Martial Arts come to Meadows Mathurin, Desiree Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
7/9/2015 Outstanding Team Trib Staff Trib Live
6/25/2015 Godfathers of MMA Viola, Bill Amazon
6/25/2015 Godfather of MMA – Amazon Viola, Bill Amazon
5/19/2015 Pittsburgh Fitness Expo returning to Monroeville Love, Mike Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
4/14/2015 Godfathers of MMA – Birth of an American Sport Etheridge, Pagie Osu Magazine
3/17/2015 Family Traditions Jones, Rachel Whirl Magazine
3/1/2015 Lord of the Ring – World Champion Ali Viola Q & A Sport Karate Illustrated
2/12/2015 Karate kids: Viola family keeps kicking at World Games Zuchowski, Dave Pittburgh Post-Gazette
2/10/2015 Law student succeeds at Sport Karate World Games Cardone, Jenn Duquesne Duke
2/9/2015 For family, martial arts ‘in the DNA’ Pickels, Mary Trib Live
2/8/2015 Duquesne University law student adds world martial arts titles to resume Pickels, Mary Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
1/30/2015 Big Muscle in Steel City Hawk, Dave Muscle & Body
1/14/2015 Penn-Trafford sophomore World Karate Tournament Smith, Nathan Trib Live
5/1/2014 15th Annual Pittsburgh Fitness Expo Staff Western PA Guide to Good Health
1/22/2014 Mt. Pleasant author helps examine mixed martial arts Panian, A.J. Mount Plesant Journal
1/16/2014 Team Kumite has ‘unprecedented’ success Gulasy, Doug Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
2/5/2014 Karate training is all in the family for these sisters Criado, Justin The Times
11/7/2013 Godfather’s Of MMA Staff Strength Figther
11/1/2013 MMA’s Forgotten Forefathers Cartey, Richard Fighters Only Magazine
9/18/2013 Kumite Karate Klassic celebrates 10 years rtmadminnpc New Pittsburgh Courier
9/13/2013 CHAMPIONS GATHER Neal, Bill PGH Courier
7/10/2013 Martial arts workout touted as packing a punch Gulasy, Doug Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
5/22/2013 Kumite Classic Kicks it up a Notch Schrecengost, Dave Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
4/20/2013 Former Steelers wide receiver Ward honors local high school athletes Price, Karen Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
1/25/2013 Leader earns top karate honor Adamski, Chris Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
10/24/2012 The Martial Chronicles: Before Fighting Was Ultimate It Was Super Nash, John SB Nation
10/1/2012 Hines Ward Show Ward, Hines WPXI
8/23/2012 Battle of Superfighters (Tough Guys the Real Beginings of MMA in America Cartey, Richard Fighters Only
5/30/2012 Fitness and martial-arts enthusiasts pack Convention Center for Kumite Classic Love, Michael Trib Live
5/29/2012 2012 Kumite Classic with Antonio Brown Trib Staff Trib Live
5/23/2012 The Martial Chronicles: Before Fighting Was Ultimate It Was Super Nash, John Bloody Elbow
5/9/2012 Norwin’s Leader, Kemp pull down Positive Athlete Awards Trib Staff Trib Live
4/29/2012 Norwin junior seeks karate championship Harvath, Les Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
4/21/2012 26 Honored At Western Pa. Positive Athlete Awards KDKA Staff KDKA
3/1/2012 2012 Positive Athletes Ward, Hines Positive Athlete
1/1/2012 Exhibit Must-Sees Madarasz, Ann Western PA Sports Museum
12/4/2011 Cal U Milestones California University Cal U Review
12/20/2011 Pioneers of MMA Madarasz, Ann Heinz History Center
12/5/2011 Viola Honored for role with early MMA Grubba, Matt Trib Live
12/1/2011 Pittsburgh MVP Staff Champions Association
10/1/2011 Tough Guys Madarasz, Ann Western Pennsylvania History: Fall 2011, 8-9
10/1/2011 New Sports Museum Display Explores Local Roots of Mixed Martial Arts Madarasz, Ann Senator John Heinz History Center Newsletter
10/1/2011 Local karate students compete in Ohio Trib staff Norwin Star
7/4/2011 Viola Honored As Mixed Martial Arts Innovator Santa, John Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
6/24/2011 MMA roots were planted in New Kensington Werner, Sam Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
6/23/2011 Caliguri and Viola history honored Kogut, Paul Trib Live
6/22/2011 UFC makes long-waited Pittsburgh debut Stefano, Dan Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
1/14/2011 Norwin junior claims a sport karate world title Trib Staff Trib Live
1/6/2011 Karate coach Bill Viola recognized by peers Hartlep, Bill Trib Live
12/29/2010 Christmas Kumite Trib Staff Norwin Star
8/24/2010 The Zuffa Myth and UFC auteur theory Rossen, Jake ESPN
5/27/2010 MMA Trailblazers to be honored at Caged Kumite Hartlep, Bill Trib-Norwin Star
5/25/2009 Kumite Karate Klassic celebrates 10 years Neal, Bill New Pittsburgh Courier
3/26/2009 Viola’s Bring MMA Back to Pittsburgh Hartlep, Bill Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
1/15/2009 Illness doesn’t deter karate champion Dudurich, Mike Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
12/26/2007 1997 Sports Champions NGB Reports Slam sports
5/15/2007 Festival puts emphasis on physical fitness Kelly, Jack Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
5/25/2005 North Huntingdon Twp. Promoter heads Pittsburgh Sports and Fitness Festival Cloonan, Patrick Daily News
6/13/2002 Karate instructor passionate about foundation Dopirak, Dustin Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
7/22/2001 Viola poised to provide karate scholarships to youth Hunger, Brian Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
11/4/2000 North Huntingdon Township man hopes to hit it big in Tinsel Town Wertz, Marjorie Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
11/1/2000 Former Karate Champion Makes Transition to Music Video Schofield, Melissa Pittburgh Post-Gazette
8/15/1999 Karate duo’s dreams crash before nationals  Iovino, Jim Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
8/9/1999 U.S. Karate Team Caputres Gold in Kumite Staff USOC Press
3/4/1998 Fivesome May Kick its Way to Title MacGregor, Adam Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2/23/1997 Schwarzenegger Selects Irwin Karate School for Festival Robertson, Scott Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
4/1/1993 Laurel State Champions Staff Standard Observer
5/5/1987 Norwin’s Karate Kid is Making Mark in World Haky, Mike Daily News
4/9/1987 Norwin Student Gets a Kick from Karate Ove, Torsten Pittsburgh Press
4/5/1987 Karate Kid Alive and Well in North Huntingdon Junker, Guy WTAE

KUMITE VIDEOS 🎥

Team Kumite Highlights:

Summer Shiai – 2023 University of Pittsburgh @ Greensburg

Team Kumite 2022 Hype Reel

Coach Bill Viola Jr. 1990’s Highlights

Christmas Kumite – 2022

WKC World – Ireland

Gabby Viola – Fighter

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