Grandmaster Ben Kiker
Founder & Head Instructor
50+ Years on the Mat in Ellijay, Georgia
An Ellijay native and former local football standout, Grandmaster Ben Kiker has been an enduring figure in Gilmer County athletics for over five decades — with local high school coaches long citing his mentorship as a core inspiration for their own programs.
In 1972, Ben founded United Karate Studio, establishing what is now the oldest continuously operating karate studio in the state of Georgia. He relocated the dojo to its permanent home at 377 River Street in 1991, where he still steps onto the floor every week to personally teach, coach, and mentor the next generation of martial artists.
The record
Four world champions
Grandmaster Ben Kiker’s training methodology has consistently produced world-class competitors on combat sports’ biggest stages.
Deborah NicholsIBA World Featherweight · 1999Fought ten tough rounds to claim the IBA World Featherweight boxing championship against Dee Dufoe, earning local praise as Kiker’s third world champion.
Dusty WinklesIKF World Classic · Orlando, 2007Brought home the IKF World Classic title in Orlando in 2007.Pictured: Winkles with Kiker in Orlando
In addition to cornering champions, Ben actively expanded martial arts in the region — promoting major title events including the 1989 Chattanooga World Championship card and the 1991 Undisputed Middleweight World Karate Fight at Dalton High School.
Chattanooga, 1989The world championship card Ben promoted himself. Tickets were sold at the studio.
"She is the most focused fighter I've ever trained. She listens so well, and does exactly what she needs to do — to perfection."
Ben Kiker on Deborah Nichols, 1999
Fifty years of excellence
The Tri-State Karate Championship
Beyond competing in regional circuits, United Karate Studio hosts one of the longest-running martial arts events in the Southeast.
Founded by Grandmaster Ben Kiker in 1974, the Tri-State Karate Championship has brought together top martial artists, schools, and competitors from across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina for over five decades. Hosting an annual tournament of this scale for 50+ continuous years isn’t just a tradition — it’s a testament to United Karate’s leadership and impact on the regional martial arts community.
The award that says the most
Most Supportive School
World titles tell part of the story, but the honor earned repeatedly on our trophy wall speaks to our true culture: Most Supportive School.
This distinction isn’t given for total wins — it honors the team with the strongest presence, sportsmanship, and dedication to showing up for every student. United Karate Studio has taken home this award at major competitive events across the region, including six times at the All Star Nationals (2007–2010, 2023, 2024), along with honors from The Southern Open, The IKC Challenge, and The Cleveland Karate Challenge.
Building a culture of encouragement, travel, and continuous support for over 50 years isn’t something a brand-new gym can recreate — it’s the heart of our community.
Fifty years of doing that is the actual story of this studio, and it is the part a newer school cannot copy at any price.
What's on the wall
Among the trophies
Surrounding decades of championship hardware is a message that anchors everything we teach on the mat:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13
It’s been displayed alongside our awards for decades as a daily reminder of our core values — perseverance, humility, faith, and inner strength. For us, martial arts isn’t just about physical competition; it’s about building character and resilience that grounds students in every area of life.
A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.
His students have heard it for fifty years · It is on the wall in his own handwriting
Tournaments and events
Tri-State Karate Championship — hosted by United Karate Studio every year since 1974. For dates and entry details, call (706) 635-6800.
Internal note: message board to be updated by internal personnel.
Come meet him
Call (706) 635-6800 or come by 377 River St. He would rather talk to you in person, and after fifty years he has earned that.