Dominique Valera

Dominique Valera, born on June 14, 1947, in Lyon, France, is a distinguished kickboxer and karate practitioner renowned for his remarkable contributions to martial arts. With an impressive 9th Dan black belt in karate, Valera has claimed multiple titles at the European Karate Championships, showcasing his exceptional skills on the international stage.

Valera's martial arts journey began in 1960, following six years of training in judo. He made a mark in the karate world as a team world champion, although he faced a setback in his pursuit of individual glory. At the 1975 World Karate Championships held in Long Beach, California, a controversial disqualification over a referee's decision prevented him from winning the individual championship. This incident led to his temporary exclusion from the French Karate Federation, a situation that was later rectified when his friend Francis Didier became president and reintroduced contact karate.

Five years prior to this, Valera achieved a significant milestone by winning one of the first two individual bronze medals at the 1970 World Karate Championships in Tokyo, finishing third alongside Tonny Tullener from the United States.

In 1975, he transitioned into Full Contact Karate, where he faced prominent fighters such as Bill Wallace and Jeff Smith. Valera concluded his full contact career with a record of 14 wins and 4 losses. Beyond his athletic achievements, he has also appeared in French films, including "Let Sleeping Cops Lie," marking his foray into the entertainment industry.