Olympic Karate

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We teach self-defense in karate classes to all ages And we have been in business since 1963 first School in Northwest Indiana and we have had three world champions!

05/11/2026

Patrick Odonnell - One of Richard DeMerse's first black belts - sharing the story of Olympic Judo & Karate and foundation it was built on.

This where our legacy Began 🥋

05/10/2026

🥋 Olympic karate School — Where It All Began**

These photos of **Richard DeMerse from 1962** take us back to the roots of our school and the beginning of martial arts in Northwest Indiana.

Originally founded in the late 1950s as **Olympic Judo and Karate School**, the school operated out of the basement of the Hammond Civic Center. It was led by pioneers **Bill Turner and Richard DeMerse**, who helped lay the foundation for traditional martial arts in our area.

In **1986, John Nemtuda Sr. purchased the school**, continuing its mission and carrying the legacy forward under the name we proudly stand behind today — **Olympic Karate School**.

Nearly seven decades later, that legacy is still alive.

We honor the men who started it.
We respect the tradition they built.
And we continue the standard they set.