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Bill Viola Jr

Bill Viola Jr.
Born William "Bill" Viola III
(1977-04-09) April 9, 1977 (age 40)
Irwin, PA
Nationality American
Occupation Martial artist, author
Organization President: Kumite Classic Entertainment
Notable work Godfathers of MMA
Parent(s) Bill Viola Sr.

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.

Bill Viola Jr. was born in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He was introduced to the art of Shotokan Karate by his father Bill Viola Sr. who is the founder of Allegheny Shotokan Karate and co-creator of the modern sport of MMA. Viola Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps beginning martial arts lessons at the age of 3.

Viola was one of the most consistent sport karate competitors in the country recognized as a United States of America Karate Federation (USAKF) national champion and All American Athlete. In 1998 he was recognized by Arnold Schwarzenegger as a World Champion at The Arnold Classic Sports Festival, Columbus, Ohio.

In the summer of 1999, Viola was involved in an automobile accident on US Route 30 in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He sustained a serious cervical neck fracture injury that effectively ended his competitive karate career (1981-1999).

Viola has remained active in martial arts serving as head coach of “Team Kumite,” an all-star karate team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team is noted as the most successful sport karate competition team in the Pittsburgh region, winning 12 National Black Belt League (NBL) World titles in 2013.

Viola graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999 and moved to Hollywood, California to work in the entertainment industry. He earned acceptance into the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio (AFTRA). After working with top industry professionals he established his own production company, Kumite Classic Entertainment in 1999. The company's signature event is the annual self-titled Kumite Classic, a multi-sport and fitness expo regarded as the mecca for martial arts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.


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