Uniontown Karate Club

The Uniontown Karate Club is a traditional Shotokan Karate school that has been serving Fayette County for over 60 years. Our instructors can trace their roots directly back to Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern Karate. We are proud to be a part of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), a non-profit organization that seeks to promote traditional Japanese Karate-do throughout the world.

Our History

Shotokan Karate started in Uniontown in the early 1960s with Sensei Frank E. Di Nunno. He began teaching Karate at the old YMCA building in Uniontown and eventually moved to Gallatin Avenue in 1963. In 1967, he moved to 62 East Fayette Street, where he taught over 2,000 students over the next 15 years. In 1981, Sensei Di Nunno retired from actively teaching, and in 1986, the Uniontown Karate Club was reopened by one of his students, James E. Umbel, who carried on the tradition started so many years ago.

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote the physical, mental, and spiritual development of our students through the teaching and practice of Shotokan Karate-Do. We believe that Karate is not just a physical activity, but a way of life that teaches discipline, respect, and self-control. Our instructors are dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for our students to learn and grow.

Our Services

We offer traditional Shotokan Karate classes for adults and children, taught by experienced and certified instructors. Our classes are designed to improve physical fitness, coordination, and overall health, while also teaching valuable life skills such as discipline, focus, and self-defense techniques. We also offer special classes and workshops on Karate philosophy, history, and technique.