ABK: Over 30 years of Martial Arts Training
ABK's History 1993 to now
America’s Best Karate was founded in 1993 by 5-time World Champion George Chung. Master Chung opened the first America’s Best Karate school with his then partner Cynthia Rothrock, in the city of Los Gatos, California. America’s Best Karate gained notoriety through teaching professional athletes such and as Joe Montana, Dwight Clark and Ronnie Lott of the San Francisco 49’ers, as well as other famous martial artists and Athletes.
Master Chung then partnered with 3-Time World Champion Anthony Chan.
Building on their reputation, America’s Best Karate, Inc., grew to 11 schools and had success in both California and Nevada. In the mid 1990’s the founders consolidated their efforts to work on media projects resulting in the Emmy award winning show called “Adventures with Kanga Roddy”. Soon after, the two founders decided to focus their efforts on other projects and withdrew from America’s Best Karate schools and their operations.
After three years of being the Program Director for the East Bay locations of America’s Best Karate, Master Anthony Lerma became the Chief Instructor and owner of America’s Best Karate of Danville in 1998. Continuing a tradition of excellence in Martial Arts education and competition sport, for decades our students have reached the mark of excellence. Some have become National Champions in Olympic Tae Kwon Do, others have received Sports Scholarships in Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, Tennis, Basketball and Swimming. Students from our program have reached academic prowess, earning acceptance and in some cases academic scholarships at highly esteemed universities such as UC Berkeley, Stanford, Reed and other outstanding schools across the nation, including Harvard, Oxford, U of Illinois, West Point.
Our students have a track record of becoming leaders in their community, from Doctors to West Point Military Commanders to NASA Engineers and Professionals in varied fields, some have continued the tradition of learning and have become successful educators and sports and Martial Arts School Owners.
We offer a variety of training:
ABK: Traditional Martial Arts Program
Enroll your child in our specialized martial arts program, promoting discipline, respect, and physical fitness in a fun and supportive environment.
Reality Based Self-Defense Lessons
BJJ Defense
Master the defense to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through expert-led training, improving your ability to defend against skilled Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, improve grappling skills, agility, and overall physical conditioning.
Tai Chi
Discover the benefits of Tai Chi: enhanced balance, concentration, body alignment, and a boost in your overall outlook.
Our results
We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but we’re not stopping there.
32
years of experience
650+
training events hosted
6250
students trained
753
black belt recipients
What our clients say
A year ago I enrolled as one of the first students of the new RBSD program, which is a self-defense system designed and constantly developed by Master Lerma. Although we live abroad now, I have regular online classes and continue my journey with martial arts. The RBSD is a very practical system that allows one to feel confident in most of the real life situations. The idea of sets of basic eights helps memorize and establish proper reflexes to respond immediately to various threats no matter if they come from someone, who practices popular martial arts like kick boxing, BJJ, MMA, karate or som
Rafal U.
Parent and RBSD Online Student
Absolutely the best training by Master Lerma who delivers over 30 years of practical and formal training to each lesson. He is calm, patient, and truly listens to his students teaching them in the way they learn best.
I have the privilege of being his student that started in February 2023 with uninterrupted 1 hour session per week. Master Lerma’s training has advanced me with knowledge of the Art, the purpose for each technique, and its history.
But it doesn’t stop there, through Master Lerma’s coaching and inspiration, I have lost 27 pounds and I have increased my body definition!
You’ll find
Dave M.
Dedicated RBSD Student (online and in-person)
Our son has autism. He has been participating in Master Lerma’s program at America’s Best Karate for one and a half years now. The program has been absolutely terrific for him. In Master Lerma’s A to Z program for beginning children, our son immediately began working on memory, sequencing, planning, gross motor, core strength, pragmatics (rules and turn-taking), impulse control, and even academics. When graduating to the Tae Kwon Do program, his progress continued. The program motivated him tremendously, and while difficult, the earning of his first colored belt was and remains one of his bigg
Todd G.
Whereas other sports are seasonal and taught by volunteers, karate is a way of life that teaches respect and focus, both which require a large dose of discipline. I asked my son and daughter what was most important about karate, and they both said discipline. My son’s exact words regarding discipline were “ karate is a very focused sport”. My son is the boy in second grade who can’t stay in his seat, but he loves Master Lerma!
ABK is where he must focus on the task at hand even though he has other things on his mind. These skills will serve him well for the rest of his life.
Paul VL.
Inspired Student and Parent
A year ago I enrolled as one of the first students of the new RBSD program, which is a self-defense system designed and constantly developed by Master Lerma. Although we live abroad now, I have regular online classes and continue my journey with martial arts. The RBSD is a very practical system that allows one to feel confident in most of the real life situations. The idea of sets of basic eights helps memorize and establish proper reflexes to respond immediately to various threats no matter if they come from someone, who practices popular martial arts like kick boxing, BJJ, MMA, karate or som
Rafal U.
Parent and RBSD Online Student
Absolutely the best training by Master Lerma who delivers over 30 years of practical and formal training to each lesson. He is calm, patient, and truly listens to his students teaching them in the way they learn best.
I have the privilege of being his student that started in February 2023 with uninterrupted 1 hour session per week. Master Lerma’s training has advanced me with knowledge of the Art, the purpose for each technique, and its history.
But it doesn’t stop there, through Master Lerma’s coaching and inspiration, I have lost 27 pounds and I have increased my body definition!
You’ll find
Dave M.
Dedicated RBSD Student (online and in-person)
Our son has autism. He has been participating in Master Lerma’s program at America’s Best Karate for one and a half years now. The program has been absolutely terrific for him. In Master Lerma’s A to Z program for beginning children, our son immediately began working on memory, sequencing, planning, gross motor, core strength, pragmatics (rules and turn-taking), impulse control, and even academics. When graduating to the Tae Kwon Do program, his progress continued. The program motivated him tremendously, and while difficult, the earning of his first colored belt was and remains one of his bigg
Todd G.
Whereas other sports are seasonal and taught by volunteers, karate is a way of life that teaches respect and focus, both which require a large dose of discipline. I asked my son and daughter what was most important about karate, and they both said discipline. My son’s exact words regarding discipline were “ karate is a very focused sport”. My son is the boy in second grade who can’t stay in his seat, but he loves Master Lerma!
ABK is where he must focus on the task at hand even though he has other things on his mind. These skills will serve him well for the rest of his life.
Paul VL.
Inspired Student and Parent
A year ago I enrolled as one of the first students of the new RBSD program, which is a self-defense system designed and constantly developed by Master Lerma. Although we live abroad now, I have regular online classes and continue my journey with martial arts. The RBSD is a very practical system that allows one to feel confident in most of the real life situations. The idea of sets of basic eights helps memorize and establish proper reflexes to respond immediately to various threats no matter if they come from someone, who practices popular martial arts like kick boxing, BJJ, MMA, karate or som
Rafal U.
Parent and RBSD Online Student
Absolutely the best training by Master Lerma who delivers over 30 years of practical and formal training to each lesson. He is calm, patient, and truly listens to his students teaching them in the way they learn best.
I have the privilege of being his student that started in February 2023 with uninterrupted 1 hour session per week. Master Lerma’s training has advanced me with knowledge of the Art, the purpose for each technique, and its history.
But it doesn’t stop there, through Master Lerma’s coaching and inspiration, I have lost 27 pounds and I have increased my body definition!
You’ll find
Dave M.
Dedicated RBSD Student (online and in-person)
Our son has autism. He has been participating in Master Lerma’s program at America’s Best Karate for one and a half years now. The program has been absolutely terrific for him. In Master Lerma’s A to Z program for beginning children, our son immediately began working on memory, sequencing, planning, gross motor, core strength, pragmatics (rules and turn-taking), impulse control, and even academics. When graduating to the Tae Kwon Do program, his progress continued. The program motivated him tremendously, and while difficult, the earning of his first colored belt was and remains one of his bigg
Todd G.
Whereas other sports are seasonal and taught by volunteers, karate is a way of life that teaches respect and focus, both which require a large dose of discipline. I asked my son and daughter what was most important about karate, and they both said discipline. My son’s exact words regarding discipline were “ karate is a very focused sport”. My son is the boy in second grade who can’t stay in his seat, but he loves Master Lerma!
ABK is where he must focus on the task at hand even though he has other things on his mind. These skills will serve him well for the rest of his life.
Paul VL.
Inspired Student and Parent