After twenty years of competition Kalman Csoka says farewell.

Alpharetta, November 15, 2011: In early October, Kalman Csoka took the stage at the 34th Diamond Nationals for what would be his last performance at a North American Sport Karate Association, NASKA, World competition event. Earlier in 2011 Csoka announced his retirement would take place at the Diamond Nationals in October. Csoka’s legacy will be remembered not just for what he did on stage or in the ring, but the person he was outside of the ring as well. His story is one few know but that has seen so much adversity over the course of his career. Over twenty years he’s seen two career threatening injuries and despite it all persevered to become not only the competitor but the person he is today!

Kalman Csoka spent the better part of the 1990‘s competing and came from the bottom to be among the top contenders as a junior in early 2000’s. After overcoming a back injury he was able to compete for several years and made a name for himself as an individual forms competitor and as part of a synchronized team. In 2005 his second potentially career ending injury would force him to start his path to the top again. After years of working and developing his skills and despite his incredible comeback after a back injury and a knee injury, Csoka was able to elevate himself to become one of the most dominant adult sword practitioners on the NASKA circuit. His biggest claim to fame would come in 2007 at the Diamond Nationals when he released his revolutionary double sword routine. In November of 2008, Kalman was asked to be a part of Team Paul Mitchell Karate; a childhood dream come true for Csoka.

Kalman has since gone on to win every major World Tour event and be the only competitor to win four consecutive ISKA World Weapons Titles and the first competitor to win four Diamond Nationals Overall Adult Weapons Diamond Rings. Kalman is pursuing a degree in medicine and after twenty years of competing is focusing on his students, his business Elite Martial Arts in Alpharetta, Georgia and his studies. He is not only a success story and certainly a competitor of competitors but his demeanor both in and out of the ring is one that will truly be missed. “As good as his performances have been and they have been some of the best the sport has ever seen, they take a distant second to his character, his humility and team attitude” said, Chris Rappold, Executive Director of Team Paul Mitchell Karate. Kalman graciously left the NASKA World event stage with more than just incredible performances to remember him by. And while his journey has come to a conclusion, he can now welcome his another family member, his niece Audrie Donihoo, to join his stepson Austin, to the Team Paul Mitchell family. Kalman and his story are truly remarkable and we wish him the best in his next phase of life. Thank you for your dedication to our team and the sport and while you will be missed your impact and passion for this sport will never be forgotten.

Providence, November 13, 2011: Team Paul Mitchell started nearly twenty-five years ago all thanks to two men, Coach Don Rodrigues and Steve Babcock. Since then there vision has been to build the world’s most prestigious and well respected team in the martial arts industry. The two have gone on to coach martial artists to win hundreds of World Titles, dozens of WAKO gold medals and countless inductions into various Hall of Fames. For a team that has endured while others have not, it is no wonder the legacy that comes with being a part of Team Paul Mitchell is one of the highest and most heavily sought after accomplishments for a martial arts competitor.

In October of 2011 Team Paul Mitchell said goodbye to one of its many legendary competitors. But while some things may come to an end Team Paul Mitchell knew this would be an opportunity to grow even better as they prepared for their silver anniversary in 2012. It is with great pride and excitement that Team Paul Mitchell Karate would like to welcome the following members to the 2012 Team Paul Mitchell Roster.

We look forward to seeing these competitors representing Team Paul Mitchell Karate for the 2012 competition season.

Martial Arts World Champion Caitlin Dechelle gets ready to put World titles to work!

Los Angeles, October 15, 2011: A little over a year ago Caitlin Dechelle made a huge decision to move out to Hollywood and follow her dreams of being in movies. Originally from Miami and than moving to Tennessee, Dechelle was somewhat familiar with picking up and starting new but never in an industry were few find success. Luckily for Dechelle, she has already prevailed in life when the odds were stacked against her.

Caitlin Dechelle has been an avid sport karate competitor since she was nine years old. She was always naturally able to be a superstar but like any highly competitive sport, talent is only part of what is needed to be successful; especially if you’re Caitlin Dechelle and your sights are always set on something bigger. Growing up Caitlin often had to compete with the boys and girls that were much older than her. But that never stopped her from striving to reach her goals. In 2004 Caitlin Dechelle was asked to be a part of Team Paul Mitchell Karate, the sport’s most prestigious corporately sponsored team. She has since gone on to win hundreds of North American Sport Karate Association, NASKA, World Titles, tournaments all over the globe, and has been featured on ESPN2 and ESPN3 for the US Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships. Caitlin even was asked to make her own instructional DVD series with Century Martial Arts the World’s Largest Martial Arts Supplier. But that didn’t stop her from wanting more.

Despite the hundreds of trophies and countless titles and accomplishments, Caitlin wanted to pursue a dream of being on the big screen. Having already been featured countless times on ESPN2 and even starring in an independent film, Champions of the Deep, Caitlin knew her talents could bring her to new and exciting places. Recently, Caitlin Dechelle was picked to be the principal performer in a JVC commercial that took her to Japan. The commercial piece was for an electronic industry showcase in Germany to introduce a new camera, JVC GC-PX10 that JVC was launching. Caitlin spent several grueling days putting together the concept piece and filming the commercial that required her to put her weapons World Titles and training to work.

Caitlin’s experiences to the orient would not stop there as she has also signed a deal to work with Jackie Chan on his one hundredth film, “The Chinese Zodiac 12”. Mike Chat a former Team Paul Mitchell member, founder of Extreme Martial Arts (XMA) and Dechelle’s manager says, “It’s no surprise that Taylor Lautner’s former team mate is achieving success of her own. This is the second film Jackie’s group requested Caitlin for…”. Chat also said, “I am honored that Jackie continues to hand select world champions that I’ve trained and manage and its a huge testament to the level of talent that Team Paul Mitchell represents and the NASKA circuit produces.” Caitlin will be acting as well as performing her own stunts in this landmark film which is currently being filmed in China. While her journey takes her so far away from her home in Hollywood, it will also bring her one step closer to once again being able to live her dreams; something those who know her best knew was inevitable.

Sights set on Gold Medals at World Competition events in Spain and Ireland