Feature Story

Tribute to David Sklar of Kick/USA

A lesson in humility!

Even though KarateAngels.com is dedicated to showcasing kids in the martial arts, but because of his commitment towards helping kids we felt it's been long over due that someone do a story about David Sklar, so we took on the task.

Well, it's not been easy to say the least. The man is a lesson in humility! We've contacted him a half dozen times to get an interview, but no matter what we did he continued to talk about you kids. He never wanted to talk about himself. We had to work hard just to get a Bio out if him. We finally did persuade him to give us something, even in his bio he talks about kids....In response to one of our requests for info about only himself, here's what he wrote back and said: 

Dear Karate Angels,
           I will do that. It is just that I always put the emphasis on the others & the kids. I will send you pictures & a Bio on me.
Thank you,
Dave

A true role model! We've only known David Sklar since about 1996. We've followed him as he's worked hard to get KickUSA started. Although he has a long history of accomplishments in martial arts, he has always put kids first on his agenda. He's come a long way with developing KickUSA as a positive vehicle for promoting kids and giving kids an opportunity to express themselves and build a good foundation for the rest of their lives. Just ask any of the kids that know him! Today KickUSA is a hugh success and growing. Kids come from all over the world come in all sizes for a chance to compete in his top rated tournaments in Florida.

Bio:

David Sklar

Started Training 1976
7th Dan - Isshin Shjorin Ji Ryu Okinawa Te
Owner Bushido Karate School in Orlando, FL

Founded KICK/USA in 1994 in Florida with a goal to provide a National Schedule of events exclusively for youth in the martial arts. This will give athletes in the martial arts a venue to compete in locally arranged events that are affordable, easily accessible, safe, fair & fun. These events would all have a uniform set of rules & regulations that are universally acceptable to all styles of martial arts. KICK/USA, Kids In Competition Karate, is to martial arts what little league is to baseball. KICK/USA helps to nurture the young athletes competitive enthusiasm for the sport & a purpose for the training that is involved.

1st State Championships in 1995
1st KICK/USA Jr. Nationals in 1997 at Walt Disney World
Co- Director if Disney's Martial Arts Festival since 2000
1st Out of State KICK/USA event in Syracuse, NY 1998
KICK/USA Kentucky State Championship in 2000
Organized KICK P. R. O., (Professional Referee Organization) to raise standard of Officiating.
KICK/USA Virginia State Championships in 2002
Executive Director of 1st Joe Weider Martial Arts & Fitness Extravaganza 2002

Here is an overview of what Kick/USA is all about:

KICKUSA stands for Kids In Competition Karate

The organization was founded in 1994 to promote the positive benefits of the martial arts to youth. Today's youth face many challenges, some new and some pre-existing. Single Parent Families, Dual Working Parents, Violence, New & more Potent Drugs - all represent difficulties to future success.

The demographics of the martial arts student have shifted from almost exclusively adult, to most school's enrollments being under 17 years old. As martial arts instructors, we have a responsibility to offer positive guidance to our young students. KICKUSA was founded to reinforce the positive values of Respect, Discipline and Self Confidence to youth.

This is accomplished through a circuit of martial arts tournaments which promote a very positive theme, affiliated schools that promote a very positive approach to martial arts training and partnerships with local school systems to reward positive accomplishments. KICK/USA offers the young athlete, whose sport happens to be the martial arts a place, to test their competitive energy. Instead of stopping their training to play other sports, KICK/USA helps to retain them in your school.

KICKUSA currently promotes a circuit of tournaments devoted exclusively to young athletes, boys & girls ages 5 to 17. Young martial artists compete for points towards a possible State Championship. In 1997, KICKUSA held the first Junior National Martial Arts Championships that was open to all styles of young martial artists. This exciting event is to be held annually at Disney's Wide World of Sports™ Complex as part of the prestigious Disney’s Martial Arts Festival.

KICK/USA has events in Florida, Las Vegas & Virginia. In 2003 Events are also planned in Maryland, Georgia & New Jersey. For information on hosting events in your area call KICK/USA National Headquarters at 407-897-6856 or visit http://www.kickusa.com

KICKUSA Headquarters is located at:
2613 Curry Ford Rd.
Orlando, Florida 32806
Tel: (407) 897-6856 Fax: (407) 897-6704

Executive Director: David Sklar

Associate Director:  Keven Yarbrough

Board of Directors:

Frank Silverman, Executive Director of M. A. I. A.,

Phil Goss, Attorney at Law

Rick Hartman, Owner of Hartman’s Black Belt Studios