Dámaso Guzmán is the president of the Wado Ryu style in the state of Pennsylvania and a leader of the future Sports Union for Dominicans Exterior. He is a Dominican who began practicing karate at a very young age.
It all began on the island of Puerto Rico in 1995, where he developed his first karate school. However, due to health condition and after receiving a kidney transplant, he decided to settle in Pennsylvania—specifically in the town of Hazleton—following medical advice. It has now been nearly eleven years since that life-changing decision.
For the past ten years, Guzmán has been running his own school, working to promote karate among children. This initiative began when he visited Hazleton’s community center and proposed a sports program to the administrators. The proposal was accepted, making it the first karate school in a community center of its kind in the city.
After nearly five decades of training and mentoring young people in this discipline, he now runs a private school dedicated to youth development.
The former athlete shares his vision: «We have professional kids; that’s the goal—to prepare young people so they don’t abandon their studies or sports, because discipline is important.»
Both the coach and his team are excited about their upcoming event in October: «We will be hosting the 8th International Karate-Do Championship. Last year, we won first place, with participants from Florida, Puerto Rico, Panama, Boston, New York, and Pennsylvania.»
One of his most important projects is the creation of the Sports Committee in Pennsylvania. «The sports committee is a management group aimed at forming the state’s first sports union. The idea is to involve not only athletes from Hazleton but also from other parts of Pennsylvania. The goal is to develop sports among Dominicans living outside.” explained Guzmán.
The goal is for athletes to compete in various Pan-American and international games representing the Dominican Republic. The selection of participants will follow international sports regulations and each athlete’s citizenship. Olympic law allows athletes to represent their country up to the fifth generation, which makes participation in officially sanctioned events possible.
Known to many as sensei, Guzmán remains optimistic: «Training and motivation are key to building this project, to help children and young people stay off the streets and become good citizens.»
The plan is to officially establish Pennsylvania’s first Sports Union between May and June—a historic milestone. It will not only include karate, but also other sports such as boxing, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, judo, baseball, sanda, tennis, chess, and recreational dominoes.
Guzmán emphasizes the need to go directly to schools to invite children to join these programs and stresses the importance of motivating authorities to offer hope to the youth.
Finally, the community leader shared a message for public officials:
«Both the governor and local business owners must understand that together, we can achieve great change.»
The inauguration of this sports committee will take place soon, aiming to begin working across various disciplines and, together with the Dámaso Guzmán Sports Foundation, support this great cause. For more information can visit:108 W Broad St, Hazleton, PA 18201
