Welcome to The USA Federation of Pankration Athlima (USAFPA)

Member:

International Olympic Committee IGB-FILA
World Pankration Athlima Committee
Greek Ministries of Sports and Education
Upcoming Events:

The USA Federation of Pankration Athlima formed in 1998, to help the progression of Pankration (mixed Martial Arts) in International Competition.
Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I have retired as the President of USAFPA.
Over the years I've made many friends, had great times and have fond memories of you all . However the time has come for the next generation to take Pankration to the next level, the Olympic Games.

Poor health makes it impractical for me to contribute  further at the world level . Mr Dave Sixel will succeed me as the Federation President . Although I will always like to keep in touch with you. In matters of USAFPA you should make your contact with (usafpaPRESIDENT SIXEL@YAHOO.COM )

Thank you for your friendship and confidence.

Very Truly Yours
John Townsley
When Pankration was accepted as a part of Olympic Wrestling ,it became Greece's gift to the world . However in doing so we also must accept the fact we lost all control of our own future and the control of the Sport.

As time goes bye we'll come to realize the World Council and the National Governing Body's rules are only suggestions.

The Rules ,Regulations ,Conditions ,Terms of the IOC totally regulate our future.

The IOC gives the power to govern to the athletes .The whole process must be democratic . Each member has one vote at the National level and each country has one vote in selecting the Counsel.

The IOC has established a Court of Arbitration for Sports . It rules on any complaint lodged by an athlete ,coach,referee or National Federation for violations it's doctrines.

Here are a few cases that have been before the Court that will affect us.

Every athlete has the right to compete. All the IOC requires is that they buy a membership in WPAF and show the card to compete in our events.

An athlete can belong to as many Federations as he chooses.


This was established by the Court when Kodokan Judo blocked athletes from another judo Federation from competition.

No Federation can require or establish a training system and require it as the only raining  accepted by the Sport for competition.

no athlete can be forbidden to or prohibited from competiting in the tournaments sponsored by other Federations.

This was established in a case involving Field and Track .

Japan lost control of Karate and now only has an honorary position because a new President from another  country was elected.

The country in which the Sport began doesn't give the country of origin special privileges.

To be an Olympic Sport every position of Management and Supervision must be voted and approved. Every National Federation as well as the World Council must adopt a Constitution and By Laws clearly written in both English and French
based on an approved Olympic model.

The Court of Arbitration has branches worldwide . If traveling to the court of Arbitration in Switzerland is prohibitive due to time or financial considerations, justice won't be denied. A local Court in your country will rule on the matter you bring before it.

While we should acknowledge the Greek origin of Pankration , and show gratitude to the modern Greeks who worked so had to bring it to the modern world but they must realize it now belongs to the world.
 
John TOWNSLEY 9th Dan
USAFPA Director Emeritus

Head Coach, TEAM USA

TEAMusaPankration.com
ROBERTO SERRANO has been appointed to represent the Executive Consel as the Pam Am Director of the PamAm Union of Pangration Athlima

John Toensley - Photo

John Townsley
President

Pankration offers the dignity, respect and prestige associated with Ancient Olympic Games where it originated in 548 BC.

Master John Townsley is a pivotal figure in Pankration being accepted as a Modern Olympic event. He's been in the martial arts for 54 years and is the most successful International coach in US history.

He has trained World Champions in Karate, Kickboxing and Pankration (Mixed Martial Arts).

Together with Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee he was inducted into the Legion of Honor and awarded the title "Living Legend of the Martial Arts".

He is the director of the USA Pankration Federation which trains Navy Seals, US Marines and Team USA.

Degrees and Awards

  • 9th Degree Black Belt Pankration
  • 8th Degree Black Belt Karate
  • 8th Degree Black Belt Ju Jitsu
  • Hall of Fame
  • American karate Pioneer Award
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Living Legend of Martial Arts Award
  • Official Karate Legion of Honor

Team USA Victories

  • International Karate Championships (10)
  • World Pankration Championships, Greece (3)
  • The Goodwill Games, Russia, St. Petersburgh
  • World Professional Kickboxing Titles (7)
  • The Pan Am Championships
  • IOC World Games, Turkey

John Townsley(left) recieving Rank from
Anddes Furas ,the  Greek Minister of Sports