Nick Smith

Nick Smith started Hill Country Karate in 1983 with one location in New Braunfels, Texas. His program currently has 31 locations, an active instructor base of over 50 Black Belt instructors and an annual weekly enrollment as high as 1500 students. Mr. Smith has trained and promoted well over 200 individuals to the rank of Black Belt. He has hosted and directed more than 140 tournaments with competitors numbering up to 1600 over the past 35 years. Nick is recognized as one of the nation’s top tournament directors and is requested by the International Sport Karate Association to judge and officiate the World Finals Divisions of their tournament that is televised on ESPN every year.
Nick’s other accomplishments include: • 8th Degree Black Belt -American Society of Karate (2023) • 8th Dan Black Belt -Superfoot Systems (2023) • 6th Dan Black Belt - World Tiger & Crane - Goju Ryu Karate (2008) • 1st Degree Black Belt -Cha-yon Ryu Tae Kwon Do (1982) • 1st Degree Black Belt -Pekiti-Tersia Kali (1990) • Silat Suffian Bela Diri Team Leader (2015) • Silat Suffian Bela Diri Regional Director (2017) • Silat Suffian Bela Diri Global Tactical Director (2018) • Adaptive Combative Class Instructor at the US Armed Forces Center for the Intrepid (2011) • Combative Class Instructor for the 75th Ranger Battalion (begins 2020) • Combat Pistol & Duty Rifle Instructor (2019) • North American Professional Martial Arts member (1997) • North American Professional Martial Arts Cardio Karate Instructor (1997) • Dog Brothers Martial Arts Instructor (2001) • Kabaroan Eskrima of Filipino Barons Associate Instructor (2001) • CDT (Law Enforcement)Master Instructor (2006) • LRT(Military) Master Instructor (2006) • TFL(Civilian) Master Instructor (2006) • Real Safe/Know &Go/Bullyguard Instructor (2006) • ITC Licensed/Certified Executive Protection Specialist (2007)

• USCCA DSF Level 1 Instructor (2020)