Generation ROC: Local teen to join Team USA at international karate championships

GREECE, N.Y. ( WROC ) — Rochester’s very own karate kid, Dominic Veltre, is not satisfied with the many state and national wins already under his brown belt. He’s training to take his talents to the international stage and compete in two world karate championships.

“It makes me feel more confident in myself, not just lay low all the time. When you compete, you can’t just be scared and back out. You have to have a certain type of confidence to get in and not be scared and back down,” he explains.

Dominic says he started karate around eight years old when he wanted to defend himself from bullies. He’s now been selected to represent Team USA at the International Federation of Karate World Kata Championship and British Karate Kyokushinkai Open and Cup of Europe in England this October. At just 15, he’s the youngest member on the team.

His shihan—or karate master—Mike Monaco says he’s proud of Dominic, who’s learned the dedication, self control, and spirit of mastering your own body and mind.

“He’s not just going to become a great fighter—maybe world champion someday—but he’s going to be a great leader in whatever he does. Whether it’s marriage, whether it’s a job, whether it’s a career in something else, we try to teach them to be leaders and that’s what’s important,” Monaco says.

Dominic is working hard to get ready for England, coming to class at the Kyokushin Karate USA dojo at the World Gym in Greece three times a week and an intense home regiment with his parents supporting him every step of the way.

“It’s exciting. It’s going to be a little hard, a little stressful, I am a little scared, nervous, but this is just an experience because I have a big one coming up in Germany in 2025,” says Dominic.

That big one—a 69-country strong tournament all competing for a foothold in the next Olympic Games. There is also a GoFundMe set up to assist Team USA with travel expenses to the competition .

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