HomeVirginiaRichmond › River City Kenpo and MMA

River City Kenpo and MMA

5 ★★★★★ 1 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Richmond, Virginia

Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate

Karate dojo Affiliated Kids & teens

Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's Karate classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule dodkenpokarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule

Hours

Monday 5:30–9 pm
Tuesday 5:30–9 pm
Wednesday 5:30–9:30 pm
Thursday 5:30–9 pm
Friday 5:30–9:30 pm
Saturday 10 am–12 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at River City Kenpo and MMA, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Albert is a great instructor, great with children and offers exciting self defense classes.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at River City Kenpo and MMA — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Albert is a great instructor, great with children and offers exciting self defense classes.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 1 Google reviews — in their own words.

traditional style & affiliation 5 mentions

“Albert Balestrieri holds the rank of 3rd degree Black belt and studies under the tutelege of the AKF (American Kenpo Federation) Founder Sifu Brian Duffy of Austin Texas.”

From the reviews

Albert Balestrieri holds the rank of 3rd degree Black belt and studies under the tutelege of the AKF (American Kenpo Federation) Founder Sifu Brian Duffy of Austin Texas. Sifu Duffy has been teaching since 1973 and is a direct student of American Kenpo founder Edmund Parker.

★★★★★ — Jeffrey, Nov 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1 reviews →

Your first Karate class at River City Kenpo and MMA

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find River City Kenpo and MMA

9830 Midlothian Turnpike Ste B, Richmond, VA23235

Get directions Instagram

More Karate dojos near Richmond

American Karate Center

4.9 ★★★★★ 15 reviews

10901 Southlake Ct, Richmond, VA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 5+

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Affiliated expert instruction from a great senseifriendly, respectful dojo

1.3 miles away

Mongrel Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 46 reviews

11617 Busy St, Richmond, VA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team expert instruction from a great senseiwelcoming to beginnersfriendly, respectful dojo

2.0 miles away

Richmond Virginia Karate Dojo

5 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

We are Inside SoulShine Studios, 9200 Stony Point Park Way, Ste 111, Richmond, VA

Memberships around $159/mo

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Private lessons Affiliated expert instruction from a great senseiwelcoming to beginnersfriendly, respectful dojo

3.2 miles away

All Karate dojos in Richmond, VA →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.