The United States Karate Academy stands in the Naval Training Center (NTC) Promenade at Liberty Station, where children and adults alike are welcomed to embark on a life-changing journey to success through the martial arts as a means of balance with today’s fast-pace world.
The journey is guided by owner Salvador Convento, who has recognized and developed his ability to help clients be their best by focusing on six key elements in life: discipline, self-esteem, fitness/flexibility, confidence, perseverance and goal setting/achievement.
“It is through the marital arts that I educate people to become productive members of our great society,” said Convento. “I guarantee that everyone will be impacted through my classes so that they are self actualized and can turn their own dreams into reality.”
Under Convento’s tutelage, students set personal and professional goals and take action to achieve them by strengthening themselves from the inside out.
Levels begin with the Tiny Tigers program that teaches younger children the discipline and self-control that Tang Soo Do promotes in a fun and interesting way. During “Mat Chats” at the end of every Tiny Tigers’ class, Convento reiterates character development and discusses concepts and values such as loyalty, honesty, humility and positive attitude.
“My son has improved dramatically, shown increased confidence, skill and manners,” said physician Travis Stephensen. “I have gotten just what I hoped for in a martial arts school: a world-class instructor, constructive energy outlet, an emphasis on respect and manners and good role models.”
One of the ways Convento’s students come to understand their potential is by learning the art of board breaking. Convento explains that a person may attempt to break a board and have everything it takes, including speed, but will stop at the board instead of following through because of lack of confidence.
“If you walk up to break your board with the attitude, ‘Geez, look how thick that board is. I’m gonna hurt myself. I’ll never break it,’ you will never break that board in your lifetime,” said Convento. “Instead, you have to say, ‘Okay, I’m going to break this board. I can do it.’ You have to have confidence, just like with anything else in your life that you wish to succeed at.”
As a third-degree black belt and two-time Tang Soo Do World Champion with 21 years of experience, Convento is certain he has formulated a workout that clears the mind of distractions on the journey to success. When asked how the martial arts have affected his own life, Convento said the arts have made him a leader.
“When I was 13 years old I began martial arts at the Shin Karate Institute in Philadelphia, Pa, and went to my first tournament where I lost, cried and decided that I did not like the feeling of getting beat,” said Convento.
“I began to set goals and worked hard at being disciplined enough to follow through so that when I went back to tournament I won first place. For me, it began right there, right when I realized that I could do anything I set my mind to if I led with confidence.”
Convento is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and taught the art of Karate Do under coach John Critzos II. He led his team to many victories and was undefeated against the Army Karate team throughout his tenure there.
As a retired Navy pilot, he feels he was constantly challenged and that his Navy experience, more specifically the guidance of Critzos, taught him there are no limits to what a person can do.
It is through this experience that he found the inspiration behind the U.S. Karate Academy and feels right at home as an ex-Navy officer at the NTC Promenade.
The U.S. Karate Academy is located at 2950 Truxton Road, Suite 200. Classes include a boot camp, a one-hour, fresh-air, full-body morning workout and world class Tang Soo Do Karate classes.
For more information, call (619) 342-5548.