A Little About Our School

King Cobra Karate, Inc. was established in 1975 when it opened it's doors as a small dojo for friends, family, and fellow martial artists. Thus it adopted the name The King Cobra Karate Club. The Martial Arts was just starting to take off in the mid to late 70's and the King Cobra Karate club was part of the new revolution. Over the years, Martial Arts Dojo's sprung up across the country and abroad. Some schools lasted and many failed, but the King Cobra Karate Club withstood all the ups and downs, politics and hype that arose in the Martial Arts world.

 

The King Cobra Karate Club was one of the only Martial Arts schools in the Erie, Pennsylvania area that persevered through this Martial Arts explosion. Not only did the school grow in students, instructors and prestige, but it hosted one of the first Martial Arts tournaments in the Erie area. The tournament was a success and it didn't stop there. As the school grew and moved to bigger and better locations, so did the tournament. The end result was a transformation from small Karate club dojo to King Cobra Karate, Inc. and 33rd annual King Cobra Martial Arts Open. One of the largest Martial Arts Tournaments on the North East Coast. I know... I witnessed it with many others while Master John Barton succeeded in this profound accomplishment.

 

But it doesn't stop there... King Cobra Karate has a new generation of champion Instructors and partners to carry on the King Cobra tradition. Hillary Barton & Dan Weston teamed up with Master Barton to take King Cobra Karate to the next level. Family owned, family oriented, is what makes King Cobra Karate your best choice for Martial Arts training. 
The Editor

 

Our Credentials Speak for Themselves 

The Head Instructor is Master John K. Barton, 9th degree Black Belt with over 44 years of Karate experience. Master Barton's accomplishments in Karate include:

• 3 Times National Champion
• Inducted into 7 Hall of Fames in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio
• Former coach of the USA Karate Team - 7 years
• Coach of the Pennsylvania Karate Team - 5 years
• Founder of the King Cobra Karate School - Established 1975
• Professional Karate Commission (PKC) State Director for Pennsylvania for 18 years
• Pennsylvania State Defensive Tactics Instructor for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
• Promoted over 125 black belts

Testimonials

• "My granddaughter developed a keen focus that helped her achieve national champion status." ...A Grandparent
• "My child's grades have improved since starting in karate." ...A Parent
• "King Cobra Karate not only has excellent  instructors, but they treat you like friends and family." ...A Student
• "I have trained under and have been promoted by Master Barton back in the mid 70's. Mr. Barton is very down to earth and a great instructor."  ...Martial Arts Instructor