Master Vasilios Katsaitis

     From 1987, Kratios Master Vasilios Katsaitis has been building the foundation to build his own system: Pankration Orthostadin Pyx-Lax. In 1993, he started teaching his system. In 1995, he built his federation: International Pankration Athlima Federation and in 1996 he built the A.P.A.F. American Pankration Athlima Federation.
     He is the father and founder of the Hellenic Martial Arts system known as Orthostadin Pyx-Lax Rassein Pankration, (Pyx-Lax Pankration) is world renown for his international instruction, including hall of fame recognition. Our system dates back to ancient Hellenic competitions and self-defense techniques, with an emphasis on total combat self-defense using the eight points of circle fighting, the movement and flexibility of a Pine Tree. This includes 25 forms, ancient Greek, Boxing, Kickboxing, grappling, throwing ground fight, and self-defense techniques, incorporating many uses of hand and leg striking and locking. Offensive techniques include fists, open hand combinations, high and low kicking, flip techniques, and cardiovascular exercise. Using a belt system for promotions, we emphasizes basics, forms, flexibility, balance, focus, discipline, courage, meditation, and many other attributes of the martial arts, thus creating a Healthy Mind and a Healthy body. This is Pyx-Lax Rassein Pankration is the only forms and basics Modern Pankration today. All of his prior training including his military training and instructors mentioned has given something to Kratios Master Vasilios Katsaitis to build his Pankration in forms, discipline, fighting and courage standing system. His beautiful wife Gina (agent, advisor, bookkeeper and coordinator of his school) for her encouragement through the years also a black belt and instructor, which he owes a lot of credit and thanks. His daughter Carmen Katsaitis-Pankratiasti holds a 3rd degree black belt and is the managing editor of The Karate Voice.
     He has 2 grandchildren: Kostantina Vasiliki and Dimitrios both train in the martial arts. One of his favorite friends is his uncle Nikitas. He first introduced him to grappling (Orthostadin Paly) at the age of 8. Nikitas passed away in 1984 but has always stayed in his memory, remembering his smile and his words of correction “don’t fall this way, use your flexibility. First worry about your block and throat”. Currently he has 53 black belts promoted 18 seminars around the world including: Germany, Russia, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Yugoslavia, Cypress, Canada and the USA.

Three of his favorite sayings:

“ The man with one eye is the king of the blind ”
“ Competition is good for the soul ”
“ The best teacher you can have after I teach you, is yourself ”.