Menu
American Freestyle Karate proudly serving Salem
American Freestyle Karate has Classes in Salem, Perfect for Kids, Teens, and Adults Martial Arts Lessons.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.
We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..
Get To Know Our World Class Instructors
Grandmaster
Eddie Thomas
Master Thomas began training in Shotokan karate-do in 1982 at the age of 15. Three years later, he received his Shodan. Afterward he continued to travel and grow and learn from various sources. Eventually he was introduced to and became of student of Heavyweight World Kickboxing Champion Joe Lewis. Master Thomas eventually earned his 6th deegree black belt in his system. Also at that time he began training with Steve “Nasty” Anderson the top heavyweight point figher in the world, and with Charlie Lee, the top kata practitioner in North America. Master Thomas also trained in various weaponry systems with several top-rated martil artists from the East Coast including classical sword, bo, nunchakus, and obtained black belt equivalents in Pekita Tercia and Doce Praes Escrima, Thai boxing, and Nihon Goshin Aikido. Together with his personal experiences from travel and competition, he took the best of what he learned from the numerous and marvelous instructors he was fortunate to work with and integrated it into our curriculum. “I have received so many wonderful gifts from my involvement in karate. As a teacher, I try to return these gifts by bestowing them on other people. These are intangibles that have proven to be more valuable than all the material wealth in the world.
Drew Wright
Mr. Wright began training with Master Thomas in 1994. After taking a haiatus as a child he returned to the AFK dojo in 2000 and earned his Shodan in 2005 at the age of 17. Mr. Wright then went off to college, started and family, and returned to AFK in 2019 as Program Director. Mr. Wright is passionate about martial arts and loves teaching it to others.
John Davis
Mr. Davis volunteers his time as an instructor at AFK. He initially enrolled his three children, but upon seeing the benefits they received, he decided to do it for himself. Having earned his Shodan in 2020 he continues to give back to the AFK family and is a treasured member of our community.