THE History of AMERICAN FREESTYLE KARATE
On May 2, 1972, Grandmaster Jerry Piddington was declared the headmaster and founder of the American Open Karate style under the USKA sanctified charter, established by O’Sensei Trias, which was internationally ratified on May 30, 1975. The American Open Style was a blend of styles acquired from many of Grandmaster’s pioneers of modern karate. The principles, technical aspects, and mechanical elements are based on the ancient art of hand-to hand fighting.
O’Shihan Jerry Piddington
Grand Master Danny McCall
In 1977 O’Shihan Piddington and Grand MasterDanny McCall started a new Dojo in Fort Mill, SC, at the Leroy Springs Complex, which is now known as the Fort Mill YMCA at the Complex. It was turned over to Kyoshi Charles Lingerfelt in 1982 and is today the oldest American Karate Dojo in this lineage.