This was a premiere event of 2025 with dignitaries from all over the country attending to be part of the yearly weekend event and celebration of the martial arts elite.
Event Overview
This event stands out as one of the most notable gatherings of 2025, attracting dignitaries from across the United States who came together to participate in the annual weekend celebration. The occasion was dedicated to recognizing and honoring the very best within the martial arts community, providing an opportunity for champions, guests, and enthusiasts alike to come together, share their knowledge, and celebrate excellence in their field. The presence of esteemed guests and the spirit of competition added to the prestige and excitement that defined this memorable event.
The Kata Wars and the Karate Taikai 2025 were presented by Professor Gary Lee, The Sport Karate Museum, and all the History Generals from the last 25 years. The event was hosted at the Houston Westchase Marriott on October 3rd, 2025.
The Kata Wars included workshops, seminars, black belt testing and special guests who traveled from all over the country to be part of the event. Gary Lee has always prided himself as the Hawaiian Grand Master of martial arts who is providing the Sport Karate world with a presence that will last for decades and has always been one of the top producers of new and innovative additions to the science of martial arts. Gary’s connections and list of the most famous champions, movie stars and grand masters makes him a walking encyclopedia of the evolution in the martial arts for the last half century.
The Kata Wars and Karate Taikai 2025 Presentation
This remarkable event brought together a rich legacy of martial arts excellence.
The Kata Wars offered a diverse range of activities designed to engage participants and elevate the experience for all attendees. The event featured hands-on workshops, informative seminars, black belt testing, competition and the presence of special guests who journeyed from across the nation to take part in this celebration. Each aspect of the event reflected its commitment to both tradition and innovation within the martial arts community.
Professor Gary Lee’s Lasting Legacy
Professor Gary Lee, known as the Hawaiian Grand Master of martial arts, has continually provided the Sport Karate world with a lasting and influential presence. Renowned for his dedication to advancing the science of martial arts, he has been a primary force introducing new and creative elements to the discipline. Professor Lee’s extensive connections with renowned champions, movie stars, and grandmasters make him a living encyclopedia of 20th and 21st century of martial arts history, expertly chronicling the evolution of art over the past fifty years.
Gary Lee’s Early Life and Martial Arts Beginnings
Gary was essentially an orphan who found his home and upbringing within Karate schools. Immersed in the martial arts community from a young age, he became part of the environment shaped by the legacy of famous movie icons and martial arts legends like movie actor Makoto Iwamatsu or his pseudo name Mako who starred in movies like The Sand Pebble. Mako also played Akiro the wizard in the movie series Conan the Barbarian, the voice of Aku in Samuri Jack, Uncle Iroh in Avatar as well as The Last Airbender. Mako was one of Gary’s greatest influences in the martial arts and was his mentor. Gary moved to Texas then proceeded to become a Texas state champion, National Champion and NBL World Champion. The rest is history documented in the annals of his beloved The Sport Karate Museum.
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The Showdown to history
The event proceeded through the first day with many great martial arts icons and champions displaying tables in the great Florida room entry area that exhibited their knowledge, accoutrements and accomplishments, each trying to compete for the best exhibition. It was as if you were witnessing the presents of living history in elaborate menageries of the greatest past and present legends from across the last 70 years.
Early Saturday Morning a sizable assembly of top junior and adult champions competed for a showdown of the best of the best award “The Kata Wars Champion” a prestigious title only bore by a single champion and keeper of the trophy for one year thereby solidifying the prestige of the win and forcing the next year’s champion to prove in a contest of trial by combat his worthiness to continue wearing the title and possessing the trophy of the greatest champion for another year. I was honored to win 4 times so far including this year 2025 and allowed to be chosen to chronicle the proceedings of this year’s 2025 contest.
Many of the best champions past and present, including hard and soft styles lined up to compete for the title this year. The competition proceeded with many of the current top guns giving it an extreme attempt in an all-out effort to prove their right to be this year’s champion.
Competitors represented a wide spectrum of martial arts, showcasing both hard and soft styles. Each participant was determined to demonstrate their skill, discipline, and passion, contributing to an electric atmosphere of anticipation and tension for the win.
As the event unfolded, the competitors gave everything they had, engaging in intense performances and displays martial arts mastery. Their efforts were a testament to their dedication, with each contender striving to earn the honor of being named this year’s Kata Wars adult or Junior champion.
Kata Wars Championship: Final Rounds and Celebration
I, Johnnie Murphy, secured first place in the 1st round. Following this, the competitors representing soft style martial arts took to the mat. Their performances featured some of the most dynamic and impressive displays of skill, balance and coordination captivating everyone in attendance. Once this round concluded, the two remaining participants lined up again for the final round of competition and the right to take home the coveted Kata Wars trophy and other awards presented to the champion.
In the final showdown, I faced off against the soft style winner and an exceptional Kung Fu champion. Both of us pushed ourselves to the limit, presenting the judges with a true masterpiece of effort, skill, and technique. Ultimately my powerful Katana performance earned the me the victory and rite to be called “Kata Wars Champion” I felt deeply honored to compete alongside such legendary martial artists from across the country. The junior Kata Wars Champion was Lily McConnell who put up an all-out effort in a soft style effort for her victory. Lily is one of Tracey Armstead’s top junior Champions and
After the conclusion of the Kata Wars, everyone left the main ballroom, only to return later at 6:00 PM for the banquet and awards ceremony. There was special recognition given to many distinguished masters and grand masters including George Minshew, D.E Chambers and many of the greatest martial artists in the last decades. A special show proceeded throughout the night running simultaneously with many great champions including Garret Lee, son of Gary Lee, myself and my beautiful partner Carol Parenti performing our fabulous duet musical katana routine. Other great performances were given by talented competitors and the great Rocky DeRico of Boston Massachusetts. One of my favorite performances was produced by Tracy Armstead and his choreographed troupe of talented junior female champions that awed everyone with their dynamics, skill, choreography and magical performance. This celebration recognized many dignitaries and honored those who have contributed to martial arts throughout both the previous and current centuries. I was truly proud to be part of this historic event.
