Keith Vitali is a legendary figure in the world of martial arts, born on December 24, 1951, whose journey began in 1971 at the University of South Carolina. A former track star who shattered state records in cross-country, Keith traded his athletic scholarship for a passion ignited by his first Tae Kwon Do class under instructor John Roper. Earning his first-degree black belt in just two years, he founded the university's karate club, one of the nation's earliest collegiate programs.
Over the next decade, Keith dominated the competitive scene, amassing over 1,000 fights, securing three consecutive U.S. National Karate Championships from 1978 to 1980, and claiming the World Karate title. Ranked the #1 full-contact fighter in the USA and inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Fighter of the Year in 1981, he was hailed by Black Belt Magazine as one of the top 10 fighters of all time, gracing more than a dozen national magazine covers with his explosive power and precision. Transitioning seamlessly to the silver screen, Keith became a staple in martial arts cinema, starring in iconic films like Revenge of the Ninja alongside Sho Kosugi—sparking the 1980s ninja craze with its nationwide theatrical release—and Wheels on Meals with Jackie Chan, Benny Urquidez, and Sammo Hung.
His action-packed resume also includes No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers, American Kickboxer, and Superfights. Beyond the ring and reel, Keith is an acclaimed author of instructional books like Winning Tournament Karate and Bully-Proof Your Child, and a dedicated child advocate through his K.V. Video Productions, creating safety videos that made headlines in outlets like USA Today. As the first president of the South Carolina Karate Hall of Fame, Keith continues to inspire generations with his unbreakable spirit and commitment to empowerment.
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