Kevin Thompson (karate)

Kevin Brown Thompson (1962[1] – January 8, 2020) was an American world champion of karate.[2] Thompson was referred to in his early years of fighting as Lil K.A. named after his teacher Karriem Abdallah. At the age of 14, Thompson had an article in Black Belt Magazine.[3] Kevin was inducted into the 1988 Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame as the Co-Competitor of the Year.[4]

Kevin Thompson
Born1962
Newark, New Jersey, US
DiedJanuary 8, 2020(2020-01-08) (aged 57–58)
West Orange, New Jersey, US
Other namesLil K.A.
StyleKarate
Teacher(s)Karriem Abdallah
SpouseShena
Children6

Martial Arts competitive career

Since 1972, Thompson had amassed over 100 trophies from martial arts competitions.[3] He fought in the Professional Karate League in the mid 1990s and was known as a forms and sparring star.[5] Under Team Paul Mitchell, he would compete in and win in major tournaments such as the Players Cup[6] and Ocean State Grand Nations.[7] Thompson was the winner of the elusive triple crown, the winner of sparring, forms, and weapons.[1] Thompson entered into mixed martial arts and had a 3-1 record in professional matches.[8] He also had an amateur MMA record of 4-1.[8]

Martial Arts teaching

Thompson taught out of a dojo in New Jersey. He had a team of performers he calls Shakil’s Warriors. He instructed students on the physical and psychological aspects of competitive fighting.[5] He suffered from ALS but continued to teach karate until no longer able to do so.[9]

Personal life

Thompson was married to Shena and had 6 children.[10] He served as a spokesman pushing for a cure for ALS.[10] Thompson died on January 8, 2020 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).[11][12]

References
  1. "Black Belt June 1989". google.com. June 1989.
  2. "Hall of Famer Battles ALS". The Huffington Post.
  3. "Black Belt August 1976". google.com. August 1976.
  4. "Black Belt August 1991". google.com. August 1991.
  5. "Black Belt April 1990". google.com. April 1990.
  6. "Black Belt October 1995". google.com. October 1995.
  7. "Black Belt October 1996". google.com. October 1996.
  8. "Kevin Thompson". mixedmartialarts.com.
  9. "Karate Champ Talsk About His ALS Diagnosis". The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter.
  10. "N.J. karate king faces down biggest foe". NJ.com.
  11. "Kevin Thompson 1962-2020 – Martial Arts World Report". Maworldreport.com. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
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