Community of Strength and Strength for the community
MARTIAL ART PROGRAMS
At KATMA Defense, we have proudly served the Savannah community for over eight years, providing high-quality martial arts instruction for students of all ages.
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We offer two dynamic programs:
World Taekwondo, a Korean martial art emphasizing discipline, respect, and powerful kicking techniques.
LAMECO Eskrima is a Filipino martial art that focuses on practical weapon and empty-hand defense skills.
Our World Taekwondo program is divided into age-based groups — Little Tigers (ages 5–7), Junior Warriors (ages 8–12), Teens (ages 13–17), and Adults (18 and up) — to ensure safe, progressive training and personal development.
The LAMECO Eskrima program is offered for students ages 12 and older, providing a deeper understanding of self-defense through the study of sticks, blades, and empty-hand techniques. Whether students seek personal growth, self-defense skills, or physical fitness, KATMA Defense provides a structured and supportive environment to help them reach their full potential.
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TKD classes are currently held at the Whitemarsh Island YMCA on
Wednesday from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
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Eskrima classes are on a one-on-one or small group sessions. Contact to set up training session.
World Tae Kwon Do
The Kombative Academy of Traditional Martial Arts (a.k.a KATMA or KATMA Defense) is focused on teaching self-defense skills. We train our students to use traditional martial art techniques and concepts with practical applications.
We are motivated by this principle of self-preservation in the form of combative training. Training that prepares you physically and mentally to fight off and violent attack. Learning to control and refocus your aggression. We employ, a combination of reality-base techniques and practical concepts in self-defense. KATMA uses different types of martial arts along with mental and physical conditioning to develop the whole person. We train the physical, mental and spiritual (or positive living).
This is a House…..
of learning and discipline. We believe that all who enter this House has the right to defend themselves. Our personal mission is to teach others how to defend themselves and those they care about.
KATMA offers training programs for children 5-12 years old, teens, adults, male and female.
We strive to provide a sense:
Sense of Community
Empowerment
Discipline
Respect
Confidence
Mental and physical conditioning
LAMECO Eskrima
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Kali/Eskrima
(Filipino Martial Arts)
One of the characteristics of Filipino martial arts is the use of weapons from the very beginning of training. The common weapon is a rattan stick, also called a cane or baton. These sticks vary in length from about 26 inches to as much as 38 inches in length or more. The weapons can vary in weight and thickness depending on the preference of the practitioner. However the Single Sword is the soul of this Warrior Art. Even when using a Rattan stick, members of Punong Guro Sulites Backyard Group were always told to treat the stick as a sword.
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Lameco uses Double and single Stick, Double and single Dagger, Sword and Dagger, Sword, Staff, Handkerchief, and Empty Hands. Lameco Eskrima is a synthesis of five major and six minor systems of Eskrima.
Lameco employs training drills called Laban Laro (Play Fighting). Laban Laro allows the escrimador to come as close to real combat as possible without injury. It is also designed to get an uncountable number of repetitions in a short period of time.
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Basic History of Lameco
The founder of our system, Edgar Sulite, at a young age was exposed by his father to the Filipino Martial Arts His had been a boxer and Arnisador. Growing up in the Barrios of the Philippines, Edgar witnessed many skirmishes settled blade against blade.
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Five Major Influences on the Lameco Eskrima System:
1. De Campo 1-2-3 Orehenal (GM Jose D. Caballero)
2. Kalis Ilustrisimo (GM Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo)
3. Pekiti-Tirsia Kali (Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje Jr.)
4. Modernos Largos (GM Jesus Abella & GM Pablicito “Pabling” Cabahug)
5. Sulite-Rapelon (GM Helacrio L. Sulite Sr.).
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Six Minor Influences on the Lameco Eskrima System:
1. Doce Pares (GM Diony Cañete)
2. Balintawak (GM Johnny Chiuten)
3. Lapunti Arnis De Abanico (GM Felimon E. Caburnay)
4. Siete Teros Serado – Serado no Puede Entrar (GM Marcilino Ancheta)
5. Abanico De Sungkiti (GM Billy Baaclo)
6. Tres Personas Eskrima De Combate (GM Maj. Timoteo E. Maranga).
The Lameco Symbol
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The Arrows represents The Flow of Nature. The weapons are symbols of regions in the Phillippines The Balisong or Butterfly Knife Luzon – Northern Philippines. The escrima Stick denotes Visayas – Central Philippines. And the kris sword Mindanao – Southern Philippines. The trange is the Integration of Mind, Body and Spirit.