There’s a lot of history with the Battle of Texas and a world of champions that have attended this event throughout the last 50 years. For over half a century this tournament has made outstanding karate champions and produced some of the greatest competitions ever. Many of the legendary American pioneer’s call Texas home.
The now deceased Jessie Benavides was the founder of the Battle of Texas and always produced some of the greatest events of the era. I knew Jessie for many years and can say he was the friend of many and a great teacher. His Daughters were his greatest students, and they traveled all over the USA to some of the most legendary tournaments of the past decades. One could say they were karate royalty because Jessie was most certainly a king of the martial arts and could be seen at events all over Texas. He produced many champions that to this day are still competing as well as the 2nd and 3rd generations of his prodigies.
These days his daughters and their families along with David Patterson and Cody Garza are running this prestigious event and keeping the event alive. The Battle of Texas had been a powerhouse in Texas AOK for many years and today it has been affiliated with the great Wayne Nugyen’s TKO, another organization that I watched grow to one of the most powerful leagues in Texas and the county. In attendance were famous celebrities from Texas martial arts past and present.
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Today the event is professionally managed by TKO’s founders and its producers that help it to be an efficient and fun event. This 2025 tournament was at the LS Church Gymnasium in Alvin, Texas with many of the divisions being finalized on time. A massive group of competitors filled the venue to the brim. This was truly a top level competition with Karate, Grappling, Kick Boxing, breaking, stick fighting and some of the top point and continuous sparring fighting to be seen anywhere in the USA. Beautifully crafted rings were awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place competitors with the grand champions receiving money and special trophies for the junior under belt grand champions.
The competition was amazing with many new junior and adult champions being crowned. The afternoon was beautiful outside but with heated competition inside the LS Church Gymnasium. There were at least 300 competitors and as many spectators. I was honored to be a part of this great event and will most certainly be attending next year.
