Students from Allegheny Shotokan 'Viola' Karate Dojo headed to national team trials

Thirteen students from Allegheny Shotokan “Viola” Karate Dojo qualified to compete this fall in the World Karate Commission National Team Trials Oct. 26-Nov. 1 in Albufeira, Portugal.

The local qualifiers are Cameron Klos, Gavin Bilinsky, Dryce Davis, Noelle Kravetz, Riley Evans, Aiden Johnson, Carter Griffith, Sammy Pietrzyk, Gabby Viola, Xander Eddy, Gabby Viola Daniel Barrett, Carter Crawford and Remmington Whatule.

The students advanced out of the World Karate and Kickboxing Commission National Championships last month in Detroit. There, they had to finish in the top four in their division.

“We have consistently had strong representation at nationals, but this is the first time that every student was able to earn a spot on Team USA,” their sensai and coach Bill Viola said. “We are so blessed to have such a talented group of athletes and supportive parents.”

Gabby Viola, Eddy, Griffith and Evans also will compete at the WAKO Junior Kickboxing event while in August in Budapest, Hungary. Barret earned a spot on the USA Kickboxing Senior Team that will compete in the Pan-American WAKO Championships in in Vina del Mar, Chile.

“These students are on an Olympic path and are role models for young people in our community,” Bill Viola said. “They are now in fight camp, which requires a seven-day-a-week training commitment.”