The Warriors Legacy Hall of Fame recently inducted Frank Caliguri and Nancy Caliguri in recognition of their lifetime of dedication, exceptional skill and influential leadership in the martial arts.
Both are renowned and respected figures in karate, holding values of discipline, perseverance and respect — the criteria the Warriors Legacy Hall of Fame upholds.
“We were very excited about it,” said Frank Caliguri, who along with his wife operates Caliguri’s Academy of Martial Arts in Lower Burrell. “We’ve been into a couple other martial arts halls of fame. This is an honor with this one because it’s a worldwide martial arts hall of fame, so we were quite excited.”
Both were inspired by Bruce Lee when he starred in “The Green Hornet.” Frank Caliguri was captivated with karate, always being sure to pick up the latest issue of “Black Belt” from newstands.
For Nancy Caliguri, watching Lee inspired her to take karate classes herself.
“I never thought that 51 years later, I would still be doing martial arts, kicking, teaching four days a week, and doing everything,” she said. “But it’s been great for me. I’m so happy that I’ve chosen that path and been able to pursue it.”
The Caliguris are proud of the impact they’ve had on the community. Their favorite moments running the dojo are seeing students grow into successful, confident individuals.
“I love when that happens,” Nancy Caliguri said. “I’ll be in the grocery store and I’ll hear somebody say, ‘Sensei Nancy,’ and I’ll turn around and there will be a student that I had as a child. They’re now married with children. We actually have people at the dojo now with their grandchildren.”
“One guy brought his son in and said to me, ‘Frank, I need you to help me out here,’” Frank Caliguri said. “‘I need you to toughen my son up.’ Years later, after his son made it all the way to brown belt, he said, ‘You know you did the job.’”
He added that he was now the one that stood up for others.
The Caliguris’ legacy extends to their family as well. Their daughter Kelli Caliguri was recently nominated into the AMAA Hall of Honors. Both Kelli and Chrissy (Caliguri) Schantz competed at high levels in karate.
“It’s a very proud moment,” Nancy Caliguri said. “Martial arts training helped them in everyday life. My other daughter, Chrissy, runs a beauty salon in Springdale and trained with us for years.”
Frank added that he is proud his daughters are not only skilled in martial arts but also embody the values of respect, humility and honor. He noted that Kelli excels as a competitor alongside Nancy in national tournaments and also plans major events.
One of those is the Pittsburgh Karate Championships (PKRA), which will be held Saturday at the Quality Inn in New Kensington.
“Back in the ’70s we started our bigger tournaments at the Quality Inn,” Frank Caliguri said. “It’s nice to be back. Close to home, nice facility. And a lot of the people who were there back in the day are bringing their students, and they can get rooms right there.”
Competition will be in sparring, kata, weapons, chanbara and team forms. It’s a rated event in which dojos can score national points. Dojos from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and West Virginia will be competing.
Eight grand champion awards, and money prizes for black belt fighting winners will be presented.
Caliguri’s Academy competitors will include Connor O’Sullivan, a junior black belt, and his father Robert O’Sullivan. Zachary Fry returns to the national stage, along with Laura Dinsmore and her husband Mark — both high-rated competitors. There are a lot of young competitors competing, including the Caliguris’ granddaughter Zoe.
Frank Caliguri emphasized the importance of family involvement in the dojo. Nancy added that students, past and present, are considered part of the dojo family.
“All the parents always say that,” she said. “They always say, ‘It’s not a karate school. It’s a family of karate.’”