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American Karate's legacy began in Florissant, Missouri where the foundation was laid for a true family focused Martial Arts school. In 1996, after nearly 15+ years of training with a variety of experts and teaching students of all ages, Rich Norton and Steve Sutton purchased the business. They expanded the Martial Arts system to include Kickboxing, Preschool Karate and a Sport Competition Team.
In 2001, they launched The Classic Karate Championship, an open style karate tournament. The Classic has become one of the largest and most popular karate tournaments in the Midwest. In 2005, they moved the business to Wentzville where it currently thrives at 1456 W. Meyer Rd. In 2017 Mr. Norton and Mr. Sutton launched another karate tournament championship specifically for kids called The Junior Classic. With 40+ years in the Martial Arts Business, American Karate genuinely understands the commitment, dedication and responsibility of being a positive influence on each and every student as well as the community!
We take pride in providing a clean, friendly, and well equipped training facility for students of all ages and abilities in Wentzville, MO.
We believe in Martial Arts cross training, acknowledging that no single art is superior in itself and that a well rounded Martial Artist is one who remains humble and welcomes all styles.
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Mr. Norton is co-owner and head instructor at American Karate as well as the promoter of the AK Classic Karate Championship. Rich began studying Martial Arts in 1978 with Jung Sim Do Martial Arts under Master Robert Ley. For the next two decades, Rich honed his skills as a student, teacher, and competitor, studying and excelling in a variety of styles such as: Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do, Karate, Judo, Aikido, Small Circle Jujitsu, and Kick Boxing. He combined his knowledge of the variety of styles to create an all-encompassing Martial Arts cross-training style .
In 1996, Rich received Ni Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt) while entering the National Karate Competition Circuit — finishing in the top two in NASKA in 1997 and 1998. In 2023 Mr. Norton and 7 Team members competed internationally at the WKC Championships in Calgary, Canada. Mr. Norton is presently ranked 7th degree (Shichidan) and was inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame for 30 years of excellence in teaching martial arts. He has helped make American Karate one of the most recognized schools in the region and one of the most awarded teams in tournament competition.
Mr Norton recently received his Nidan in Small Circle Jujitsu under Professor Leon Jay.
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Mr. Schneider began training with Sensei Rich Norton in 1992. Over the years, he has become a top competitor in several local and national organizations including MMA, NASKA, RSKC, and the UKA. In 2003, he earned his Black Belt (1st Dan) from American Karate. In his time studying and training in martial arts, he has become proficient in many styles including Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Close Quarter Combat, Weapons, and Kickboxing. In January 2020, Mr. Schneider succeeded the late Mr. Steve Sutton as a co-owner and Chief Instructor at American Karate as well as co-promoter of the American Karate Classic Championship.
Mr. Schneider medaled on an International level in 2022 & 2023 competing at the WKU Worlds Championships in Wales and Calgary.
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Greg Holmes began his training in 1972 with Bill Laub. Attained 1st Dan Black Belt in 1979. He joined American Karate in the early '80s with founder Kent Angeli. Presently, he is ranked 5th Dan in Tae Kwon Do and Karate and teaches Karate, Jujitsu, and Private Lessons at American Karate Wentzville. He is also a member of the 30 Year Black Belt Hall of Fame.
“Simply the Best! Supportive, encouraging, and skilled at developing students.”
