About Us
Focused on student success
Clay and Debra Pierson founded their first martial arts program over 25 years ago in a small trailer in Brooklet, GA. What started then as a small way to give back to the community has now grown into an organization that services multiple cities in Coastal Georgia. While the scenery and size may have changed over the years, one thing that hasn't changed is a focus on giving back to the community by creating an environment where students can succeed.
Through strong foundations and hands-on teaching concepts, Statesboro Karate has produced quality black belts for over 20 years. All students have the potential to succeed, and the instructors at Statesboro Karate have a passion for helping them meet that potential!
Martial Arts Lineage
Master Clay Pierson was originally introduced to American Tang Soo Do at a Chuck Norris school when he was young. After attending Bible college in Florida and meeting the love of his life, Master Debra Pierson, he started training again in California under Grandmaster Mark Cox at his school. Grandmaster Mark Cox was taught by Grandmaster Dennis Ichikawa, who is the head of the American Tang Soo Do Alliance and still operates a school in California. Grandmaster Dennis Ichikawa was trained under the instruction of Chuck Norris and Pat Johnson, remaining under Pat Johnson after he split with Chuck Norris. Pat Johnson, similarly to Chuck Norris, acted and helped direct choreography on many movies such as The Karate Kid, Enter the Dragon, and Mortal Kombat. American Tang Soo Do is also the main form of karate shown in the hit series, Cobra Kai.
After mastering in American Tang Soo Do, Master Clay Pierson studied under Grandmaster Jack Hogan learning Kyusho Jutsu and its applications through the Hogan Karate International organization.
Family of Masters
After receiving his 1st Dan Black Belt under Grandmaster Mark Cox in California, Clay and Debra moved back to Debra's home state of Georgia with their oldest son to plant churches, visiting California often to continue their training. Through their ministry, they founded the first of their karate programs, in order to provide local kids with self-defense and life skills. Not long after, they had another son. The program eventually was moved to Statesboro, where it has served the community ever since. Now, the entirety of the Pierson family holds a masters rank or above in American Tang Soo Do as well as various ranks in other arts. In addition to their own children, the school has produced world-class masters and black belts through both its main location and its sister schools in Richmond Hill and Twin City, Georgia.
Branching Out
While the main curriculum and original lineage of Statesboro Karate is descended directly from American Tang Soo Do, Statesboro Karate promotes a respect and appreciation for all forms of practical self-defense and performative martial arts. Master Clay and Debra Pierson were both exposed to concepts from arts such as Krav Maga and Combat Hapkido under the instruction of Grandmaster Mark Cox and have integrated those concepts into the base curriculum and separate programs to provide a more well-rounded martial arts experience that addresses the needs of every student. Statesboro Karate also draws great influence from its organizational partners and international affiliations such as Hogan Karate Interntional, Modern Arnis International, and the Okuden Circle as well as influential instructors such as Jim Corn. As a result, Statesboro Karate has become a "one-stop shop" for combat self-defense of all kinds.