On Friday, March 22, 2024, USA Karate announced major changes to its National Coaching Structure. Among the changes announced was the creation of Head Coach roles for “five key programs crucial for nurturing talent and fostering excellence.”
The five Head Coaches for USA Karate’s key programs are:
- Dustin Baldis, Head Coach – Kumite Program
- Javier Mantilla: Head Coach – Kata Program
- Jeff Kohn: Head Coach – Para Karate Program
- Chris Stratis: Head Coach – Sports Performance Program
- B. Maile Chinen: Head Coach – Youth Development Program
In their announcement, USA Karate explained, “These Head Coaches were selected following a rigorous process, including interviews with the CEO, Chairman of the Athlete Advisory Commission, existing Head Coaches, and the Director of Sport. Their expertise and leadership will be instrumental in driving the success of their respective programs and shaping the future of USA Karate. These coaches will report to the new Director of Sport.“
Champion Sports Performance Founder and Coach, Chris Stratis, responded to the announcement, saying, “I am honored to be named USA Karate’s Head Coach for Sports Performance alongside the other Head Coaches for USA Karate’s key programs. This new National Coaching structure will help provide leadership in important areas to help our athletes and move USA Karate to the top of the podium. I’m excited to continue collaborating with USA Karate’s Director of Sport, Head Coaches, National Coaching Staff, and National Team athletes over the coming years. As USA Karate implements improved structures, processes, and programs to equip our athletes for success at the highest levels, I am eager to contribute to the Team’s growth and success.”
With a background of coaching athletes across a broad range of sports for over 25 years, Coach Stratis has a proven record of helping athletes reach their greatest potential and improve their performance in the sports they love. He excels at helping athletes develop the strength, speed, mental skills, and character required to become Champions, and helping those at the top of their game perform at their best on the biggest stages. He will continue this work through Champion Sports Performance and in this new role with USA Karate.
Coach Stratis has a unique blend of experience and expertise combining decades of Karate training and competition with deep Sports Performance and Coaching knowledge. He has served as the Sports Performance Coach for the USA Karate National Teams since 2017 while also coaching hundreds of athletes across numerous different sports, ages, and experience levels through Champion Sports Performance. As the sole sports performance coach for Olympians Brian Irr and Tom Scott, he is the only sports performance coach in the nation to coach Olympic Karate Kumite athletes through the qualification process and in the Olympic Games. He looks forward to continuing his work of helping USA Karate’s emerging athletes earn their place on the National Team and make an impact on the international stage, and helping USA Karate’s best athletes prepare and perform at their best to dominate against their competition around the world.
This work will keep Coach Stratis at the forefront of the Sports Performance field as he continues to help local athletes of all ages develop the athletic traits necessary to reach their greatest potential in their preferred sports and impact Karate athletes across the nation as they strive for success at the highest levels.
Congratulations to Coach Stratis on this new role as Head Coach for Sports Performance, and congratulations to all of the other leaders and National Coaches announced by USA Karate! The future is bright for USA Karate with this improved structure and organized focus on helping our athletes become the best in the world.