Dominique Valera, a French kickboxer and karateka of remarkable renown, took his first breath on June 14, 1947, in the picturesque city of Lyon.
Valera's odyssey in the martial art of karate commenced in the year 1960, marking a significant turning point in his life as he bid farewell to six years of judo training and embarked upon a new path, one that would lead him to master the ancient art of shotokan karate.
Born into a family of Spanish immigrants, Valera's roots run deep in the rich cultural heritage of his ancestors. Yet, it was his innate passion for karate that truly set him apart, a flame that burned brightly from an early age, illuminating his path and guiding him towards a lifelong pursuit of excellence in this revered discipline.
Notable among Valera's many accomplishments as a team world champion is the impressive array of accolades he has garnered throughout his illustrious career, a testament to his dedication, skill, and perseverance in the world of competitive karate.
Despite his numerous successes, one notable exception to Valera's otherwise impressive record is his failure to secure an individual world championship title, a distinction that has eluded him to date.
However, one incident that stands out as a particularly memorable moment in Valera's competitive journey is his disqualification at the 1975 World Karate Championships held in Long Beach, California, an event that was marred by a disagreement with a referee, which ultimately led to his disqualification.
The unfortunate incident that transpired would ultimately result in his expulsion from the French governing body, which was then presided over by the esteemed Mr. Delcourt. It would take a significant period of time, during which the leadership of the organization would pass into the capable hands of Francis Didier, a visionary who would introduce a novel aspect to the sport by establishing karate contact as a distinct section, before Valera would finally be welcomed back into the fold.
Before embarking on his illustrious full-contact karate career, Valera achieved a remarkable milestone by securing one of the first two individual bronze medals in the esteemed world karate championships, held in the year 1970. This impressive feat saw him finish in a respectable third place, alongside the accomplished Tonny Tullener of the United States, at the prestigious men's ippon championship world of karate tournament, which took place in the vibrant city of Tokyo, Japan.
Valera's foray into the realm of full-contact karate commenced in the year 1975, marked by a series of high-stakes encounters with formidable adversaries, including the likes of Bill Wallace, a renowned karate exponent, and Jeff Smith, a skilled martial artist in his own right.
Throughout the course of his full-contact karate career, Valera distinguished himself as a force to be reckoned with, amassing an impressive overall record of 14 wins and 4 losses, a testament to his unwavering dedication, unshakeable confidence, and unrelenting pursuit of excellence in the world of martial arts.
Dominique Valera's extraordinary odyssey in the realm of karate and kickboxing has been extensively chronicled, and his impressive accomplishments persist in serving as a beacon of motivation and inspiration, exerting a profound impact on the martial arts community, with his remarkable story continuing to captivate and influence practitioners and enthusiasts alike, even to this very day.
