Our Story Unfolds
A short biography of Master Loebe and SKA
Bear Loebe's passion for martial arts began when he was 5-years old. He achieved his 1st Degree Black Belt under April Cunningham in August of 1991, just before his 9th birthday, and continued training for higher degrees under Wayne Nguyen. As the 3rd descent directly under Pat Burleson, Bear proudly achieved his 4th – 6th degrees (AKBBA) from Mr. Burleson himself. In 2007 he purchased TKO Martial Arts from his instructor and began his career as a school owner. The school grew so fast in three years that Bear had to find a way to expand. Bear built out a 4500 Sq. Foot State of the art facility next door to the old school with everything needed to produce sport karate champions, including an Olympic style tumbling floor. He renamed the school “Sport Karate America” In 2010. After the opening of Bear’s SKA, he was ranked by the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame under Grand Master Daryl “Big Foot” Stewart to Master rank 5th Degree.
Bear Loebe was a Chuck Norris Kick-Start instructor from 2005 to 2013. He taught at-risk youth at a Houston’s Landrum middle school. Bear Loebe has loved competing since he was 8 years old in the Texas local circuits but always strived to step up his game and compete against the best in the world. Soon after his first few years in karate, he began to compete in tournaments. His travels with the National Black Belt League (NBL) circuit took him to Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and South America, and his prowess attracted sponsors.
Bear over the last decade has won 8 National Black Belt League titles in 6 different division including Weapons, Creative Forms, Traditional Forms, and Continuous Sparring. It is important to Bear to be well rounded and attempt to excel at as many different aspects of martial arts as possible. The culmination of his competition career was at Super Grands 2012 in New York where he captured the Overall Traditional Grand Championship beating out the top Traditional World Champions from all other Traditional Divisions. He continues to venture into new division but focuses his energy on his students and raising the level of professionalism in Sport Karate.
In October of 2010 Bear hosted his first tournament. He was determined to raise the bar of state karate tournaments and made his event one of a kind. With over 200 competitors this tournament was a huge success.
In February of 2011 the head of the NBL Boice Lydell appointed Bear as the Director of the Sport Karate International Texas, which puts Bear in charge of sanctioning and memberships in Texas. Bear is also in charge of hosting the SKIL State Championship at the end of the year. In 2012 Bear received Promoter of the Year from the NBL for his work with organizing and growing the NBL and SKIL in Texas.
Bear Loebe strives to raise the bar of Martial Arts in Texas and works hard to make a difference in his student’s lives and to spread Sport Karate in a positive way. He has over 100 Black Belts promoted under his tutelage and continues to attract Black Belts from around Texas who become part of Sport Karate America. One of Mr. Loebe’s greatest achievements, is having his students become amazing Black Belt Role Models and Instructors like Andy Brett.
Sport Karate America’s. Competition Team has been ranked in the top 25 Sport Karate World Rankings since 2005 and strives to compete at the highest level.