American Freestyle Karate Club
Leroy Springs Recreational Complex
(803) 547-4575
May 2,
1972, Hanshi Piddington was declared the headmaster and founder of the American
Open Karate under the USKA sanctified charter establish by Mr. Trias, which was
internationally ratified on May 30, 1975. The American Open Style was a
blend of styles acquired from many of Hanshi’s karate pioneers of modern
karate. The Principles, technical aspects and mechanical elements are
based on the ancient art of hand-to hand fighting.
In 1973 Kyoshi Danny McCall nationally know as Thunderbolt, started
teaching American Open Karate, at Hanshi Jerry Piddington’s first school in
Charlotte, N.C. Kyoshi McCall assisted Hanshi Piddington in
developing a chain of 5 schools in North and South Carolina. The
oldest American Karate school is the Fort Mill
SC school, started September 1976, by Kyoshi McCall and Hanshi
Piddington. Kyoshi McCall ran this school until March of 1986, when
it was turned over to Renshi Charles Lingerfelt, who to this date runs the
oldest American Open Karate Club.