Welcome to SideKick Karate
With World Champion 9th Degree Black Belts, Ricky & Randy Smith,
teaching martial arts in the area for over 45 years!
2023 AKANA Family Reunion
SideKick summer Camp
SideKick Summer Camp
Maximize your child's potential in a caring structured Christian atmosphere! Your child will improve their Confidence, Coordination, Physical Fitness, Mental Awareness, and Control of Emotions. They will learn Discipline, Respect, Manners, Focus, Concentration, Self-defense, Anti-bullying, and the Art of Karatedo! But most of all, they will develop leadership skills, make lifelong friends and have FUN!
Enroll Now! For more information and application, click here.
SideKick After-school Program
SideKick After-School Center
Children are picked up daily at their school in an easily identified (federally approved) SideKick Karate Bus and transported to our facility. Snacks will be served upon arrival at SideKick Karate Dojo. There will be a dedicated time for the completion of their homework with assistance. Each child will participate in a daily confidence-building martial art class with emphasis on Respect, Discipline, and Focus. If homework and karate are completed, there will be downtime with games, reading, or electronic devices (depending on the parent's preference). Parents pick up their children upon completion of their workday (no later than 6:15 p.m. unless other arrangements are made).
Enroll Now! For more information and application, click here.
Head Instructors
Ricky & Randy Smith
Founders/Head Instructors of SideKick Karate
World Kickboxing Champions/Ranked 3rd in the USA & 10th in the world
Featured in Karate Illustrated Magazine as Gold Dust Twins
9th Degree Black Belt & Headmaster of American Open Karate System
Chief Instructors of American Karate Academies National Association (AKANA)
Inducted as Living Legends of Sport Karate by The National Sport Karate Museum
Inducted into the (first) Legends of Carolina Martial Arts (class of 2017)
Received The Joe Lewis Eternal Warrior Award (only 50 in 50 year history of sport karate)
Title of Kyoshi (Headmaster) signed by grandmasters/champions such as Chuck Norris
Grandmaster
GM Jerry Piddington, Hanshi
10th Degree Black Belt Grandmaster
Founder of American Karate Academies National Association (AKANA)
Founder of American Open Style Karate
Headmaster of American Shorei/Shorin Karatedo
Inducted into Living Legends alongside Joe Lewis and Howard Jackson
Inducted into Masters Hall of Fame alongside Mike Stone
Recipient of Joe Lewis Eternal Warrior Award alongside Bill Wallace and Jeff Smith
founder transfers style to smith twins
Ricky Smith, 60 years old, performs flying side kick with his teacher, Jerry Piddington, 77 years old