Sam Chapman's American Karate has a nationwide reputation for the quality of it's competitive students.
Bobby Tucker has been voted by his peers as one of the fastest kickers to ever step into the ring. Bobby was one of the top ten Black Belt fighters in the nation as compiled by Black Belt Magazine for 1978, 1979, and 1980. He is the Senior Ranking 7th Degree Black Belt and assistant chief instructor.
Jerry Rhome was a pioneer in PKA Karate and was the Number One World Contender in the heavyweight division in 1976. Jerry had to retire from the ring due to an eye injury, but his retirement was short lived. He came back in 1986 and won the PKA Heavyweight Championship of the World.
Becky Ray was one of the best women's Black Belt fighters in the nation. Weighing 110 lbs, she kicked and punched her way into a National Championship. In 1979, 1980, and 1981 Becky was the number one Lightweight Women's Black Belt Competitor in the nation.
Gary Landreth won the PKA National Title as a junior Black Belt in 1979 in Baltimore, Maryland and successfully defended his title in 1980 in Los Angeles, California.
Shelly Taylor, a 7th Degree Black Belt, started training at the age of eight years old and has been a champion in all areas of competition: empty forms, weapons, and fighting including victories in the legendary Battle of Atlanta as a junior competitor and as an adult Black Belt. Shelly was ranked top national competitor in women's Black Belt fighting in 1991 and 1992 by the Professional Karate League.
Carlos Howard, a 7th Degree Black Belt, is now the current owner and instructor of Sam Chapman's American Karate. He first began training at the age of seven. He was in one of the first kids' class that Sam Chapman offered. He has won over one hundred awards in weapons, forms, and fighting. He was State Champion several times on The South Carolina Karate Circuit, The Brockman Suzuki Karate Circuit, and The Foothills Karate Circuit. He finished as Champion of the Year. Other major awards have come from The Battle of Atlanta and recognition from the National Black Belt League (NBL).