Salisbury recently hosted a powerhouse gathering of martial arts legends! SideKick Karate welcomed top black belts from across the nation for an unforgettable reunion filled with intense training, thrilling competitions, and a special honor for Ricky Smith. What incredible skills and dedication must have been on display?

Salisbury, North Carolina, recently became the epicenter of American martial arts as SideKick Karate proudly hosted the third annual American Karate Academies National Association (AKANA) Family Reunion and Seminars. This significant national gathering drew esteemed martial artists and school owners from across the United States, cementing Salisbury’s reputation as a hub for traditional and contemporary martial arts training and fellowship. The event, meticulously organized by Ricky and Edie Smith, marked a pivotal moment for the martial arts community, showcasing a dedication to preserving the rich history and future of the discipline.

Held at SideKick Karate’s impressive new facility on Cottage Street, the reunion welcomed chartered martial art school owners from a broad spectrum of states, including Oregon, Washington, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin, Florida, and both North and South Carolina. This diverse attendance underscored AKANA’s widespread influence and its commitment to fostering a unified national community of martial arts practitioners. The new location, formerly Grateful Heart Ministries, provided an expansive and welcoming environment for the high-profile three-day event.

Over the course of three days, participants engaged in a rigorous and inspiring program. The event featured fifteen intensive seminars covering various martial arts styles, led by world-renowned instructors who shared their expertise and insights. Highlights included a dynamic kata team competition, pitting East Coast against West Coast martial artists in a display of precision and athleticism, along with comprehensive black belt exams, well-deserved promotions, and an elegant awards dinner celebrating achievements within the AKANA family.

A profound highlight of the reunion was the city of Salisbury’s recognition of Ricky Smith, AKANA’s esteemed director. Smith received a special proclamation declaring August 2nd as “Richard Smith Day,” honoring his fifty years of unwavering dedication to teaching martial arts in the Salisbury and Rowan County communities. The proclamation lauded his use of martial arts as a platform to inspire, serve, and mentor thousands of students, emphasizing his commitment to building character and discipline through the strengthening of mind, body, and spirit. This honor was presented by his lifelong teacher, Jerry Piddington, in the presence of America’s highest-ranking teacher, Robert Bowles, adding immense personal significance to the occasion.

The event was graced by the presence of legendary figures in martial arts, including Robert Bowles from Fort Wayne, Indiana. As the chief instructor for Robert A. Trias, who established America’s first karate school in 1946, Bowles stands as the most senior-ranking 10th-degree black belt in the nation, holding multiple world titles and founding significant martial arts associations. Jerry Piddington, the visionary behind AKANA, also played a central role, celebrated for his pioneering efforts in promoting full-contact karate—now known as kickboxing—and founding the groundbreaking American Open Style Karate, charted under the United States Karate Association in 1972. Their legacies intertwine, demonstrating a deep lineage of excellence.

AKANA, an organization born from the lineage of Jerry Piddington’s karate schools, continues its vital mission of preserving and validating the history, lineage, and rank of its members under a cohesive governing body. Piddington articulated the event’s core purpose as educating the current generation on the rich history of their art and its origins, while fostering lifelong friendships and providing opportunities to test abilities, expand knowledge, and acknowledge commitment. The reunion brought together key AKANA leaders, including chief advisor Piddington, senior advisor Danny McCall, director Ricky Smith, and various style advisors covering disciplines from White Crane Fist Style/Shuri-ryu to tai chi/kungfu and ju-jitsu/bujutsu.

Beyond the rigorous training and formal ceremonies, the event also celebrated community ties and local support. Special recognition was given to Pastor Johnny and Brenda Morgan of Grateful Heart Ministries for their instrumental role in SideKick Karate acquiring its new building. Local businesses like Across the Pond Bed & Breakfast, Massimo’s Sandwich Shoppe, and Smoke Pit were also commended for their exceptional service to the out-of-town guests. The lively East Coast versus West Coast kata team competition, won for the third consecutive year by the East Coast team, added an exciting dimension, building anticipation for next year’s reunion, which is set to travel to Puyallup, Washington, continuing AKANA’s national circuit.