Stefano Baioni began to study karate long before it became popular in Italy.

Baioni began attending Karate Cagli at the age of 14 while it was still being established in 1977.

“I saw a competition, enjoyed it and thought, why not?” Baioni said.

Three years after the small school opened, the original instructor, Patrizio Fumell, left the school to become a dentist, but the few students, including Baioni, continued to train. Baioni earned his black belt, first level, in 1981.

“Between 1984 and 1987, I was on the national karate team as a competitor. I came in third, second, fifth in the European competitions,” said Baioni.

From 1984 to 1990, Baioni was also part of a sporting group affiliated with a business. During this time, he also played basketball, ran for athletic training and did horseback riding.

In addition, he became a member of the Italian Federation of Karate and now is the executive director of the regional commission.

Baioni is now a fifth level black belt, Maestro 5 Dan, and in 2005 he will become a sixth level black belt, a Maestro 6 Dan.

There are ten levels to the traditional black belt, the highest being Maestro 10 Dan.

Baioni has been teaching both karate students and future instructors for years. He is currently the head instructor of Karate Cagli, but does get to travel a lot for his job and his part in the Italian Federation of Karate.

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