South Hills Karate Academy

About Master Patricio Saavedra

Master Patricio Saavedra is a certified 8th degree Black Belt instructor in Korean Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan karate. He began his training in 1979. Grandmaster Saavedra also holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in Japanese Shotokan Karate-do, 2nd degree Black Belt in Kobujitsu (Martial Arts Weapons) and a 1st degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
 
He has operated successful karate schools internationally, having opened his first studio in 1986 in Panama City, Panama. He also has instructed in Chile and Brazil. In 2006, Grandmaster Saavedra began teaching locally in Pittsburgh for CS Kim Karate, Inc, and took ownership of the CS Kim Karate, Inc. franchise located in West Mifflin, PA. In 2014 he opened Saavedra Martial Arts in West Mifflin, PA.

• Began martial arts training in 1979 in Panama City, Republic of Panama.
• Received his 1st degree black belt in 1985. In 1986, he opened his first karate school in Panama City. His school and his name started to be highly recognized between the other Panamanian instructors.
• In 1989 Master Saavedra was sent to Chile to introduce Tang Soo Do to the country. He was the first instructor to teach this Martial Art in Chile.
• In 1994 he was promoted to Master 4th degree Black Belt under the World Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do Federation
• In 1998 he traveled to Rio de Janeiro Brazil to train with the legendary Jiu Jitsu Masters Royler and Rolker Gracie. 
• In 1999 he was promoted to 5th Dan black belt.
• In 2006 he was promoted to 6th Dan.
• In 2010 he was invited to take care of the CS Kim Karate West Mifflin location.
• In 2011 he was promoted to black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitusu (Gracie Jiu Jitsu).
• In 2014 he was promoted to 7th dan black belt by the World Tang Soo Do General Federation (based in South Korea), thus, he became Grand Master. Master Saavedra represents the International Tang Soo Do Federation in Chile for over a decade.
• In 2015 he was inducted into the Hall of fame of the American Federation of Martial Arts for his more than 40 years of training in martial arts.
• He is regularly invited to conduct seminars in Panama, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.
• In 2018 Master Saavedra traveled to Seoul, Korea to participate in a special instructors seminar at the headquarters of World Tang Soo Do General Federation Korea Moo Due Kwan. On this occasion Master Saavedra tested and was promoted to 8th Dan Grandmaster.