Kumite Classic Entertainment

Kumite Classic Entertainment (KCE) is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based sports production company. It was established in 1999 by Bill Viola Jr. KCE specializes in fitness, martial arts, and multi-sport competitions.[1][2]

Kumite Classic Entertainment
Private
IndustrySports, fitness, martial arts
Founded1999[1][2]
FounderBill Viola Jr.[1][2]
HeadquartersPittsburgh, PA[3]
Websitekumiteclassic.com

The Kumite Classic

“Kumite” is a Japanese word referring to “fighting.”[4] The company’s self-titled “Kumite Classic” is an annual series of combat sports tournaments, widely regarded as the mecca of martial arts in the Pittsburgh region.[2][5][6]

The Kumite Classic has traditionally featured strongman, powerlifting, body building, fitness, figure, and model competitions.[1][2] The Kumite Classic showcases traditional and open karate, tae kwon do, tang soo do, kung fu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling tournaments.[7][3]

Notable martial arts and sports celebrities including Royce Gracie, Franco Harris, Antonio Brown, Lynn Swan, Ice-T and Kurt Angle have appeared at the Kumite Classic.[8][5][9][10] Angle’s “Ultimate Teen Challenge,” a strength competition, was launched at the 2005 Kumite Classic and has also expanded to the Arnold Sports Festival.[11][12][13]

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.[1][2][7][3][14]

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.[5][15] The book is the subject of the upcoming documentary film Tough Guys (2016) produced by MinusL Inc.[16][17][18]

References
  1. Schrecengost, Dave “Kumite Classic event is back in Monroeville”. Pittsburgh Tribune Review, May 23, 2013
  2. Kelly, Jack (April, 16 2007). “Festival puts emphasis on physical fitness”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  3. "Kumite Classic Expo, Pittsburgh PA Memorial Day WeekendKumite Classic". Kumiteclassic.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-16. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  4. Schofield, Melissa (November 1, 2000). “Former karate champion makes transition to music video”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p. E5.
  5. Love, Mike (May 20, 2012). “Fitness and martial-arts enthusiasts pack Monroeville Convention Center for Kumite Classic”. Tribune-Review.
  6. Cloonan, Patrick (May 25, 2005). “North Huntingdon Twp. Promoter heads Pittsburgh Sports and Fitness Festival”. The Daily News, p. 11.
  7. Love, Michael (May 19, 2015). “Pittsburgh Fitness Expo returning to Monroeville”. Tribune-Review.
  8. Cartey, Richard (November 2012). “Tough guy Contest: The Real Beginnings of MMA in America”. Fighters Only.3: 72.
  9. "About the producer of Pittsburgh Fitness Expo: Bill Viola Jr". Pittsburghfitnessexpo.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  10. "2012 Kumite Classic | Sports | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Photos". Photos.triblive.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  11. By KurtAngleBrand. "The Ultimate Teen Challenge". Kurtanglebrand.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  12. "The Ultimate Teen Challenge". The Ultimate Teen Challenge. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  13. "2015 Arnold Sports Festival schedule, map | The Columbus Dispatch". Dispatch.com. 2015-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  14. "15th Annual Pittsburgh Fitness Expo". Guidetogoodhealth.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  15. MMA Latest. "A Review of Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of An American Sport | MMA Latest - Bringing you worldwide MMA news". Mmalatestnews.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-16. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  16. Kanew, Jeff (1986-10-03), Tough Guys, retrieved 2016-02-24
  17. Steele, Jerin (2015-09-13). "Before MMA, Tough Guys wowed fans in A-K Valley, throughout state". TribLIVE. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  18. Pickels, Mary (February 8, 2015). “Martial arts are a family affair”. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, p. B3.
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