North Huntingdon teens chosen for U.S. Army Fight Team

Local martial arts students Gabby Viola and Xander Eddy, both of North Huntingdon, were selected to compete for the U.S. Army Fight Team.

Viola, 14, and Eddy, 15, will be Army-sponsored athletes for the 2025 season and represent their country in international and combative sports competitions.

Viola and Eddy signed a contract to compete on a global tour.

The Army’s goal is to “promote fitness, resilience, and teamwork through competitive sports and martial arts training,” using its fight team to recruit and promote competition.

Viola and Eddy found out on Christmas morning that they would be team members.

“I woke up to a U.S. Army flag as my first present,” Viola said in a news release. “I am blessed to carry that flag into battle.”

Eddy said he updated one of his social media profiles to “Be all you can be,” the Army slogan.

“Because I am going to make the best of this opportunity,” he said.

The fight team schedule includes the International Combat Organization World Championships in Wales, the Mexican Open, the World Kickboxing Commission World Championships in Canada and the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations Pan American Championships in the Dominican Republic.

Their instructor and sensei, Bill Viola, said the fight team will continue to accelerate the students’ competitive careers.

“This opportunity helps them get closer to an Olympic dream,” he said.

Gabby Viola and Eddy, who train at the Allegheny Shotokan Viola Karate Dojo in North Huntingdon, are USA Kickboxing national title winners. Both earned medals last year at the WAKO Junior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and also won gold at the WKC World Championships in Albufeira, Portugal.

“Both athletes represent the United States at Olympic-level events,” Bill Viola said. “That experience was a perfect fit for the U.S. Army. They have dedicated their lives to the martial arts, so I appreciate the Army for rewarding them with a sponsorship to do what they love.”

“The U.S. Army Fight Team symbolizes the integration of sportsmanship, combat readiness, and the warrior ethos, offering a unique platform to highlight the Army’s diverse talents and capabilities,” said U.S. Fight Team Founder Wesley Lawrence, a martial arts and Army veteran. “Gabby and Xander are exemplary students in school, role models in their community, and inspirations to their teammates. That is ‘Army Strong’ in my opinion. We are proud to add them to our squad of champions.”

The Fight team is made up of more than 20 military and civilian athletes that compete in national, international and worldwide events.

The first event will be the WAKO National Championships, hosted by the Kumite Classic at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, also known as “The Arnold.”

It will be the WAKO Team Trials for the Junior Pan American Championships and Senior World Championships in Abu Dhabi.