NEWS UPCOMING FIGHTS & COMPANY NEWS

 

 

VIEW OUR KARATE TV COMMERCIAL BELOW

*MS JAMIE BENAZIZ-ZACHARATOS WROTE/PRODUCED/DIRECTED TWO TELEVISION COMMERCIALS FOR "ZACHARATOS KARATE & KICKBOXING AND SOCCER", and our own "Zacharatos Blackbelt", Ralph Johnson, from "Earth Wind and Fire" wrote the music for it! See our Karate commercial Below
*our SOCCER tv commercial, (also written by Jamie) can be seen on the "Soccer" page of our website!

 

WATCH MASTER ZACHARATOS BELOW (in red) ON ESPN
CALIFORNIA STATE P.K.A. MIDDLEWEIGHT KICKBOXING CHAMPIONSHIP 1980
(running time 7 min)
THIS IS YOUR CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, HE'S THE REAL DEAL!!

WISHING EVERYONE A GREAT NEW YEAR IN 2010 !!

Card by Jamie BenAziz Zacharatos, Designsbyjamie.com
Background painting by Rob Gonsalves (Master of Illusion) with quite a few modifications made by Jamie!

Ok, that's not really our home, but the DragonSlaying part is real !
Card by Jamie BenAziz Zacharatos, Designsbyjamie.com
Background painting by Ciruelo "The death of the serpent Dragon" with a few modifications made my Jamie!

 

*Coming soon-
Weapons class for our Junior Blackbelts
Learn Escrima Sticks, Staff, and Nunchucks!
Check Schedule page for updates on the class.

 

Holiday schedule:
We will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6th, since the Tennis & Swim Center will be closing early at 6:00 pm.
see you Wednesday, ready to workout,
Have a great Holiday!!

 

Congratulations to our own Mr. Giancarlo who recently became a Certified Rescue Diver that qualify him as a pre EMT!
Some of his numerous dive certifications include, emergency responder, CPR, Advanced oxygen provider, etc etc
What can't he do! He's very accomplished at such a young age, Way to go "Trooper"!

FOR OAKS OF CALABASAS RESIDENTS-- "Zacharatos Karate Kickboxing and Soccer" is bringing KARATE KICKBOXING/MMA & SOCCER to you! Set up a time at your convenience for private training or private group training. You can pick up a flyer in the Oaks Community Center for more information, or contact us directly for information and to enroll!

 

We are so proud and pleased to announce that our daughter, Nicolette Sapphire Zacharatos, was awarded her Junior Blackbelt on July 30, 2010! She's one of our youngest Junior blackbelts at 8 1/2 years old, quite an achievement! *A Blackbelt family*

 

Triple Threat Junior Blackbelts! Congratulations to our newest Junior blackbelts who tested on 6/9/10 from left to right front row: Dean Mattes, Mattias Baron (at 8 yrs old, our youngest junior blackbelt!), Jupin Bagharzadeh They all worked so hard, and all so did so well on their tests, it's a great acheivement!

 

 

OUR 11th INNER SCHOOL KARATE TOURNAMENTMONDAY, JUNE 7, 2010 Contratulations to all our students who competed, some for the first time!! Back row standing, left to right: Master Zacharatos, Jupin, Noah, Zoe, Amy Nicolas, Ewan, Sarah, Mr. Giancarlo, Mrs. Zacharatos Front row sitting, left to right: Diego, Katie, Alix, Max, Nicole, Charlie, Jake

 

OUR 10th INNER SCHOOL KARATE TOURNAMENT: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 Congratulations to all our students who competed! We had a great turn out, all our students had great matches! Thanks to the moms we put to work, who helped keep time and keep score! We'll keep you posted when the next tournament will be. FRONT ROW: left to right; Nicolas, Nicole, Amy, Noah, Zoe, Marc, Stan, Shayne, Matthew SECOND ROW: left to right; Alix, Rens, Elsa, Max, Jake, Rachel, Charlie, Ewan, Micah BACK ROW: left to right; Master Zacharatos, Diego, Jupin, Mr. Giancarlo, Mrs. Zacharatos

Our FALL 2010 City Class Schedule, for Soccer workshops, tot/junior karate, teen/adult kickboxing, are posted on the "Soccer" page and "Schedule" page of our website.
City Classes fill up fast, so sign up soon at the Tennis & Swim Center!

 

Master Zacharatos, professional MMA and Kickboxing referee and judge for the California State Athletic commission, just judged the recent "King of the Cage" MMA show on March 19, 2010. It was available on PPV.
You can check out mixedmartialarts.com to see his score card of the fights! Many of the shows are televised, so you never know when you might see your instructor Master Z working the fights!

 

WE ARE SO PLEASED TO WELCOME BACK GIANCARLO HAMNER! Giancarlo started training with us many years ago when he was about 6 years old. He trained together with Shane Bick, Kayla Mason, and Gabriella Flores, who also went on to get their junior blackbelts with us. Giancarlo got to second redbelt when his family moved out of Calabasas, and he had to stop training with us. But being very motivated, he continued to train, and started over in another style at a school in his new neighborhood, and achieved his second degree blackbelt, and trained in weapons as well. Unlike many junior blackbelts who quit training once they get their first blackbelt, Giancarlo, at 16 years old, and just about as tall as Master Zacharatos, wanted to finish his Blackbelt in the style he started with, "Tang Soo Do", with Master Zacharatos, and that's exactly what he did! (starting in 2009) On January 31. 2010. Giancarlo was awarded his adult blackbelt from Master Zacharatos! As he continues his training in MMA and Karate with Master Zacharatos, he will assist Master Zacharatos with our junior and adult classes, along with Mrs Zacharatos. Nick-named as a child "Trooper" by Master Zacharatos, because of his achievements in the Eagle Scouts, he is a wonderful example to our young students- His high flying kicks and flashy weapons, don't hurt either! and he brings a great energy to all our classes! *for more on Giancarlo, visit the "about us" page, "adult blackbelts"

GIANCARLO WITH MASTER ZACHARATOS RECEIVING HIS TANG SOO DO BLACKBELT CERTIFICATE

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW JUNIOR BLACKBELT, KUROSH KASRA, WHO WAS AWARDED HIS JUNIOR BLACKBELT ON JUNE 17, 2009.
HE DISPLAYED AMAZING MATURITY BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY WELL BEYOND HIS YEARS, AND HAD A GREAT BLACKBELT TEST.
HE'LL BE ASSISTING MASTER ZACHARATOS WITH OUR ADVANCED JUNIOR KARATE CLASS THIS SUMMER, AND WILL BE A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR OUR YOUNGER STUDENTS!

ALSO, CONGRATULATIONS TO KUROSH'S DAD, AMIR KASRA, WHO ALSO WAS AWARDED HIS BLACKBELT ON AUGUST 30, 2009, FROM MASTER ZACHARATOS.
HE ALSO HAS BLACKBELTS IN OTHER STYLES, AND JOINS IN THE TRADITION OF THE JOHNSON FAMILY, AS FATHER AND SON "ZACHARATOS" BLACKBELTS!
THERE'S NO STOPPING AMIR KASRA, HE WAS AWARDED HIS 2ND DEGREE BLACKBELT ON DECEMBER 1, 2009. HE PLANS TO KEEP ON GOING!
AND HE DID JUST THAT, HE WAS AWARDED HIS 3RD DEGREE BLACKBELT ON MARCH 1, 2010! WAY TO GO AMIR !!

*FOR SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE BLACKBELT TESTING, MASTER ZACHARATOS USUALLY INCLUDES WEAPONS AND SUBMISSIONS (MMA) ON THE TESTS, EACH STUDENT IS CHALLENGED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS THAT BEST SUITS THEM.

CONGRATULATIONS TO GABRIELLA FLORES, WHO WAS AWARDED HER JUNIOR BLACKBELT ON JUNE 23, 2009.
SHE WORKED VERY HARD, AND IT ALL CAME TOGETHER ON HER TEST!
CONGRATULATIONS GABRIELLA! WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU!
SHE PLANS TO CONTINUE HER MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING

PHOTO OF GABRIELLA
WITH MRS. ZACHARATOS, AND MASTER ZACHARATOS

 

 

OUR 10th INNER SCHOOL TOURNAMENT, MAY 27, 2009
MOSTLY ALL OUR BEGINNERS PARTICIPATED (AND ONLY A FEW ADVANCED),
FOR OUR FIRST ALL FOOTSWEEPING TOURNAMENT!
All the matches were close, and all the student did very well--
The Gold medal team, came from behind to win in a close victory!
The teams chose their names, Gold medals were the "Cheetas" Silver medals the "Unknowns"

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR COMPTETITORS !
Front row seated, Silver Medals, left to right: Leshaun, Nicole, Kelvin, Jeremy, Samuel, Diego.
Back row standing, Gold Medals, left to right: Landon, Breena, Shawn, Michael Gabriella, Sergio, Warren.
Behind the kids: Referees--7th degree blackbelt Master Zacharatos, and 3rd degree blackbelt, Mrs Zacharatos.
Thanks to Gabriella's grandpa Chris, for being timekeeper and score keeper!

 

 

 

HOLIDAY OR BIRTHDAY GIFT IDEAS:
GIVE ZACHARATOS CLASSES OR PRIVATE LESSONS OR SEMI PRIVATE LESSONS AS A HOLIDAY GIFT.
BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE ANYTIME.
CUSTOM KICBOXING AND SOCCER FINE ART PAINTING COMMISSIONS BY JAMIE BENAZIZ-ZACHARATOS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR BOXING AND SOCCER FANS! (OTHER SUBJECT MATTERS AVAILABLE TOO)
CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.DESIGNSBYJAMIE.COM

*Master Zacharatos, Mrs Zacharatos, and Marty (one of our soccer assistants), did a Karate/Soccer demo at Chaparral Elementary School in April 2008.
"Master Z" magically transformed into "Coach Z" by taking off his karate uniform jacket, and putting on his soccer cap and whistle!
Thanks to our karate and Soccer students who attend Chaparral elementary school, for helping us with our demonstration.

 

Congratulations to our own Master Zacharatos, who was promoted from 5th degree blackbelt to 7th degree blackbelt in November 2007, by none other than Grandmaster Bob Wall of "Enter the Dragon" movie fame, also starring Bruce Lee

Look for Master Zacharatos to be judging and refereeing the MMA's for the California Athletic Commission.
He's been refereeing Profesional kickboxing for more than a decade, and was promoted in 2009 to the work the MMA's as well !

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR
8TH INNER SCHOOL TOURNAMENT 4/23/08!
GREAT FIGHTING-- LOWER RANKS STEPPED UP AND COMPETED AGAINST SOME HIGHER RANKS AS WELL,
A GREAT WAY TO BUILD CONFIDENCE! WELL DONE!

WE ARE SO PROUD TO ANNOUNCE JUNIOR BLACKBELT, MS KAYLA MASON, WHO WAS AWARDED HER BLACKBELT ON MARCH 3, 2008.
She had one of the most amazing tests, and displayed maturity well beyond her 13 years!
We are so proud to have her as one of our "Zacharatos" Blackbelts!
She is currently continuing to train with Master Z, and has started training with him in escrima stick weapons as well.
Congratulations ! To read more about Ms Mason, visit the "about us" page.
KAYLA WAS PROMOTED TO SECOND DEGREE BLACKBELT ON JUNE 7th 2009, WAY TO GO KAYLA !!

 

 

PHOTOS FROM OUR 5TH INNER SCHOOL KARATE TOURNAMENT,
DECEMBER 6, 2006
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR COMPETITORS!!

PHOTO ABOVE: First, warming up before the tournament

PHOTO ABOVE: 1, 2, 3, Teamwork! Master Z's "mini pep rally" getting each team ready for competition!

*photo above--OUR COMPETITORS, ALL WINNERS FOR COMPETING!* SILVER MEDALS, FIRST ROW SEATED, LEFT TO RIGHT: Dariush Kasra, Jupin Bagherzadeh, Kurosh Kasra, Luis Gonzalez, Michael Brumleve, Mark Mattes, Nikki Young, Kayla Mason. GOLD MEDALS, SECOND ROW STANDING, LEFT TO RIGHT: Gabrielle Flores, Ryan Brady, Yasmine Kasra, Miles Rosberg, Spencer Levin, Dean Mattes, Rustin Mahboubi-Ardakani, Ben-Oliver Rose, Jerry Scott, DylanAdler, Nikki Mason, Jake Engoian. JUDGES, BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Mr. Johnson, Master Zacharatos, Mrs. Zacharatos.

 

 

PHOTOS FROM OUR 4TH INNER SCHOOL KARATE TOURNAMENT, MAY 31 2006
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR COMPETITORS WHO DID A GREAT JOB!!!

MASTER Z WARMING UP STUDENTS BEFORE THE COMPETITION

MR. JOHNSON DEMONSTRATING FOOTSWEEPING

MASTER Z AND MR. JOHNSON DOING THEIR OWN FOOTSWEEPING DEMO!

GROUP PHOTO WITH ALL THE COMPETIORS AND JUDGES-- MASTER ZACHARATOS 5TH DAN, MRS. ZACHARATOS 2ND DAN (back row, far right) AND MR. JOHNSON, 1ST DAN (back row far left).

COMPETITORS: Left to Right, Back Row--Nick Young, Luis Gonzalez, Grant Bell, Casey Young, Zachary Favaedi, Ryan Brady, Holden Rosberg, Griffin Portaro, Justin Torres, Miles Rosberg, Ali Watson. Left to Right, Front Row--Matthew Young, Mark Mattes, Dariush Kasra, Yasmine Kasra, Dean Mattes, Dylan Adler, Kurosh Kasra, Joey Stoll, Deen Favaedi, Michael Brumleve JUDGES IN BLACK, Standing Back Row: Far Left: Mr. Johnson, 1st Dan, Right: Master Zacharatos, 5th Dan, Far Right: Mrs. Zacharatos, 2nd Dan

 

THE FINE ART & THE MARTIAL ARTS:
JAMIE BENAZIZ-ZACHARATOS EXHIBITED SOME OF HER ARTWORK AT THE "ARTIST ALLEY" (OK, it's a hallway), LOCATED IN THE CALABASAS TENNIS AND SWIM CENTER, FROM NOVEMBER 29- JANUARY 14, 2004/2005
* TO SEE MORE OF HER WORK, SEE THE TWO "PAINTINGS" PAGES OF HER WEBSITE: www.designsbyjamie.com
(IN CASE YOU MISSED THE EXHIBIT, YOU CAN SCROLL DOWN TO THE VERY END OF THIS PAGE TO SEE A FEW PHOTOS FROM THE EXHIBIT).


KARATE FOR TOTS! Beginning at age 5 1/2-7! (city class)
CLASSES ARE ONCE A WEEK FOR 6 WEEKS FOR ONLY $65.00, AND NO UNIFORM REQUIRED, NO TESTS OR BELTS.
IT'S A GREAT WAY TO TRY IT OUT. A COMBINATION OF KARATE AND GAMES TO KEEP THE YOUNG CHILDREN MOTIVATED AND CHALLENGED.
See "Schedule" page for class dates and times and details!
For this class, you need to enroll with the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center, call (818) 222-2782, for all other classes, you enroll directly with "Zacharatos Karate & Kickboxing"

SOCCER CLASSES! Beginning at age 4! (city class)
MR. ZACHARATOS, WHO IS ALSO A FORMER SEMI PRO ALL STAR SOCCER PLAYER AND LICENSED SOCCER COACH, IS TEACHING SOCCER AT ALICE C. STELLE SCHOOL ON MULHOLLAND HWY (Across from Gelsons) IN CALABASAS, AS AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM.
SOCCER CLASSES ARE ONCE A WEEK, FOR 8 WEEKS, FOR ONLY, $80 per session.(classes are 45 minutes)
For this class, you need to call the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center to enroll at (818) 222-2782, for all other classes, you enroll directly with "Zacharatos Karate & Kickboxing"
See "SOCCER" page for class dates and times and details!

WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE MR. SHANE BICK, AWARDED HIS JUNIOR BLACKBELT ON JULY 27, 2005.
QUITE AN ACHIEMENT FOR AN 11 YEAR OLD! HE STARTED TRAINING WHEN HE WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD.
HE SHOWED POISE AND MATURITY AS WELL AS SKILL AND POWER ON HIS TEST! HE PLANS TO VOLUNTEER TO ASSIST MASTER ZACHARATOS IN TEACHING SOME OF THE JUNIOR CLASSES, AND PASS ON HIS KNOWLEDGE TO BEGINNER STUDENTS, AS IS TRADITION IN THE MARTIAL ARTS.
CONGRATULATIONS SHANE! (FOR MORE ABOUT SHANE, SEE THE PROFILE ON THE "ABOUT US" PAGE)

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR JUNIOR BLACKBELTS, WHO WORKED VERY HARD TO ACHIEVE THEIR BELTS:
KRISTA KERR AND YONI EVENHAIM (DECEMBER 23, 2002), AND LIMOR EVENHAIM (MARCH 1, 2003).

PHOTO OF KRISTA KERR
RECEIVING HER BLACKBELT
CERTIFICATE FROM MR. ZACHARATOS

MORE BLACKBELT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
*WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT RICHARD "THE CAPTAIN" FENTEN, HAS ACHEIVED HIS "THIRD DEGREE" BLACKBELT ON DECEMBER 14, 2006 HE'S ONE OF THE FEW BLACKBELTS WHO CONTINUES TO TRAIN AND STAY MOTIVATED LONG AFTER ACHEIVING HIS FIRST DEGREE BLACKBELT IN 1997, AND SECOND DEGREE IN 2004. CONGRATULATIONS!

*WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE ADDITION OF OUR NEWEST "JUNIOR" BLACKBELT, MR. SEAN LEVINE, WHO TESTED ON MARCH 1, 2004.
HE IS ONE OF OUR MOST SERIOUS AND HARD WORKING YOUNG STUDENTS, AND WE ARE PROUD TO INCLUDE HIM AS ONE OF OUR BLACKBELTS. CONGRATULATIONS!

*WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT MR. MARK-ANTHONY JOHNSON WAS AWARDED HIS BLACKBELT ON DECEMBER 22, 2003.
(he received his second degree blackbelt on July 18, 2007)
HIS FATHER RALPH JOHNSON RECEIVED HIS BLACKBELT FROM MR. ZACHARATOS MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO, SO THIS IS OUR FIRST "SECOND GENERATION" BLACKBELT!
MARK-ANTHONY IS ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED MARTIAL ARTISTS WE'VE SEEN, WHO HAS THE RARE ABILITY TO COMBINE POWER AND GRACE. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER OF THE BLACKBELT CLUB!
FOLLOWING IN HIS FATHER'S TRADITION, WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE CURRENTLY ASSISTS MASTER ZACHARATOS IN THE JUNIOR CLASSES AS HIS SCHEDULE PERMITS! (For more on Mr. Mark-Anthony Johnson, see the profile on the "about us" page)

 

 

ON APRIL 23, 2003, MR. JOHNSON TAUGHT ANOTHER ONE OF HIS ENTERTAINING AND INFORMATIVE SEMINARS ON SELF-DEFENSE & STREET FIGHTING TECHNIQUES.
The subjects he focused on was targeting vulnerable areas on the body, leverages, nullifying chokes and throws. (see photos below)
We'll be sure to let you know when his next class is, if you haven't participated or watched one of classes, be sure not to miss the next one!
Mr. Johnson received his first blackbelt in "Tang Soo Do" from Mr. Zacharatos about 20 years ago. He currently holds a first degree blackbelt in another style, "Kung fu san soo", and will soon be going for his second degree blackbelt in "Kung fu san soo".
He is an original member of the group "Earth Wind & Fire", and when he gets a break from touring and recording, he'll be back!

 

 

 

 

Mr Zacharatos was refereeing & judging professional & amateur kickboxing on "In Demand" Pay Per View on November 15, 2002 at 6:00pm, for "WC Kickboxing". (Mr. Z can train you to compete in competitions like these if you're interested and work hard) We'll keep you posted on other fights.

Results from KARATE TOURNAMENT SUNDAY, MAY 20, WOODLAND HILLS CALIFORNIA:

GREEN BELT, BRIAN PAZERA WINS 3 FIRST PLACE TROPHIES, IN 3 DIVISIONS!!
(1) JUNIOR SPARRING, (2) ADULT SPARRNG, (3) CONTINUOUS SPARRING

Mr. Zacharatos (left), with Brian                   Brian (in white pants) defeating a black belt!! Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR COMPETITORS:
David Yarovoy 2nd place,  Daniel Yarovoy 3rd place,  Adam Levin 2nd place,
Colin Slocum 2nd place,  Colin Curran 4th place,  Sean Levine 4th place.

DAVID AND DANIEL YAROVOY SPARRING

COLIN CURRAN (Blue pants), fighting someone twice his size!!

Yellow belt Adam Levin competing against a much higher rank green belt!

KARATE TOURNAMENT MARCH 25, 2001, Moorpark CA
All our students are winners!! All competed in Sparring Divisions. Congratulations!!

Pictured Above From left to right:
Sean Levine 3rd place, David Yarovoy 4th place, Adam Levin 2nd place, Daniel Yarovoy 2nd place,
Giancarlo Hamner 1st place, Colin Curran 1st place, Colin Slocum 2nd place.
Far Right:
Brian Pazera, First place and Third place sparring in 2 divisions.
(the only reason his third place wasn't a first place was, he made his
opponant bleed, and in karate you get disqualified for that--"it's not kickboxing Brian!!")

 

KICKBOXING COMPETITIONS
Congratulations to Frank Jurado for a great fight in his first kickboxing competition, November 18, 2000,
at the Muay Thai Kickboxing Academy in Van Nuys.
He had a great time, and looks forward to competing again. We'll keep you posted when the next competition is.

FRANK JURADO PICTURED BELOW ON THE RIGHT

BELOW ARE SOME PHOTOS FROM ONE SIDE OF THE ART EXHIBIT BY JAMIE BENAZIZ-ZACHARARTOS SHOWN AT THE "CALABASAS TENNIS AND SWIM CENTER", FROM NOV. 29, 2004---JAN. 7, 2005.
FOR MORE INFO, VISIT HER WEBSITE AT: http://www.designsbyjamie.com