Pati Grossman started her martial arts training in 1972 with Debbie Fryer at Beliso Karate School.  Several months later Pati began training with her future husband’s instructor Sifu Rick Alemany.  Due to an illness Pati was forced to temporarily stop training.      

While attending Karate tournaments as a spectator Pati was inspired by a female black belt fighter named Mary Stark Owens.  In the ring Mary was a skilled technician, out of the ring she was a kind gentle lady.  Pati found a role model; it was time to start training again. 

Pati resumed her training with Sifu Alemany as well as with her husband Bill Grossman who by now had received his black belt from Sifu Alemany.  There were not many women in the sparring classes; it was usually Pati and the guys.  Those were the days, training during the week and traveling to tournaments on the weekend.  Tournaments regularly took us from the bay area to Seaside, San Diego, Stockton, Manteca, and Reno and everywhere in between.  It was not unusual to compete in two different tournaments in one weekend and occasionally two tournaments in one day. 

The C.K.L. days were especially memorable for Pati, there was a certain excitement and competition was fierce.  At the C.K.L. national tournaments you could regularly see the likes of George Chung, John Chung, Charlie Lee, Cynthia  Rothrock, Steve Anderson, Billy Blanks, Linda Denley and Arlene Lemus to name a few.  And then there was the Northern California vs. Southern California rivalry, which always made for great fighting.

Professor Pati Grossman

 
Professor Pati Grossman
 

In 1978, while continuing their training at Alemany’s, Pati and Bill Grossman opened their first school, it was a garage school with 35 students.  In 1986 they made their big move, Bill quit his job as an equipment mechanic and opened their school in South San Francisco, which they continue to operate today.

From 1983 to 1997 Pati and Bill Grossman promoted three annual tournaments:  “Gold Coast   Karate Classic”, “Cable Car Karate Challenge” and the popular “California Battle of Champions” which drew competitors from around the country and abroad. 

Some of Pati’s Favorite Accomplishments:

1981 C.K.L. Competitor of the Year – Kata
1981 C.K.L. Competitor of the Year – Fighting
1982 C.K.L. Competitor of the Year – Kata
1982 C.K.L. Competitor of the year - Fighting
1984 Diamond Nationals – 1^st Place Kata
1984 USA Nationals – 1^st Place Kata
1987 A.M.A.P.A. Competitor of the Year – Fighting
2000 -2002 President A.T.A.M.A. (Affiliated Teachers Association of Martial Arts) 
2005-2006 Vice-President MAI (Martial Arts Instructors Association)

Pati’s most recent accomplishment took place on August 17, 2008, when Sr. Grand Master Rick Alemany promoted her to the rank of Professor 8^th degree black belt.