When traveling to tournaments around the world, many people ask us questions like these:
How has Punok been able to establish itself and be the new preferred choice for Karate
athletes in such a short period time?
How has Punok been able to stand strong, and in some countries, do better than other
brands that have a lot of resources and tradition? Brands that have been controlling the
market for years.
Well, people don’t know our secret. Even though Punok is only a couple of years old,
the motivation for Punok started about 28 years ago.
The Punok Story
A 13 year old kid and Karate competitor from a middle class family in Venezuela was
selected to compete at an international tournament that was taking place in Japan. He
was doing whatever he could to come up with money needed for the trip, from car
washes to selling raffle tickets, to helping around the neighborhood.
It was a week before buying the airplane ticket and he was so excited because he was
able to save the money needed. Two days before going to the travel agency, something
unexpected happened, a thief got into his family’s home and stole many things,
including a white envelope with money that read “Boleto para Japón” (ticket for Japan).
Well, now you guessed what happened next, the 13 year old kid was not able to go to
compete at the event. He was devastated and heartbroken but that unfortunate event
would bring many good things in the future. From that point forward this kid made a
decision that one day he will do something to help other Karate kids and athletes fulfill
their dreams.
Life went on and the kid kept training, winning national titles and earning a spot in the
Jr. National Venezuelan team, this kept him in the game. However, at the age of 20, he
had to make one of the hardest decisions of his life. The country was going through a
bad political/economic situation, he had to decide: Either stay in Venezuela and fulfill his
dreams of becoming a World Champion and pursue his Karate athlete career or move
to the USA in search of a better life for him and his family.
With no money and no English speaking skills, he moved to the USA, worked at any job
he could find, and was able to pay his on way to college. Nine years later, after
graduating with honors, having a successful professional career, and starting his own
dojo he realized once again that his real passion was competitive Karate. How could he
come back to the sport he loves when his prime competitor years were over? Some
people told him: you are too old for that, you have a kid now, a family to take care of,
that is not going to be possible.
Right after he obtained his U.S citizenship, with a lot of family effort and support, he
answered those comments the only way he knew how. He started training and earned a
spot on the USA Sr. National team and realized his dream of competing at the World
highest level.
Most importantly, after his competition years were over, he realized that his dreams
were far more alive than ever because his real purpose in life was to help other athletes
be the best they could be. And that is how Punok got started.
After many years of buying expensive uniforms and Karate equipment, and seeing
some of his own young students sometimes struggle to buy quality uniforms and
equipment, he realized that he could do something about it. In his mind, it was the time
to create something new and make a difference in karate students’ lives by making
uniforms and equipment that were high quality and more affordable to everyone in any
country.
Creating a brand that has a bigger mission than any other brand out there. A brand that
really cares about the athletes and wants to help them as much as possible. A brand
with a real purpose.
So to answer the questions that started this story. How come Punok has been able to
positioned themselves as the new leading brand in the market? It is simply because at
Punok, we really care about our sport! People who buy Punok are supporting the
mission. That is the Punok difference!
Do you want proof? A couple of years ago Punok was the first brand to sponsor Junior
Athletes and now we are the only company who provides real monetary support to help
Karate Kids.
So next time you want to buy the best Gi in the market, know that the company you are
buying from is unique and that it has a mission to grow throughout the world by helping
others.
What we do is not our business, it is our passion. The Punok followers and Punok
community is here to stay.
Passion. Purpose. Trust.
We are Karate!
PUNOK
How has Punok been able to establish itself and be the new preferred choice for Karate
athletes in such a short period time?
How has Punok been able to stand strong, and in some countries, do better than other
brands that have a lot of resources and tradition? Brands that have been controlling the
market for years.
Well, people don’t know our secret. Even though Punok is only a couple of years old,
the motivation for Punok started about 28 years ago.
The Punok Story
A 13 year old kid and Karate competitor from a middle class family in Venezuela was
selected to compete at an international tournament that was taking place in Japan. He
was doing whatever he could to come up with money needed for the trip, from car
washes to selling raffle tickets, to helping around the neighborhood.
It was a week before buying the airplane ticket and he was so excited because he was
able to save the money needed. Two days before going to the travel agency, something
unexpected happened, a thief got into his family’s home and stole many things,
including a white envelope with money that read “Boleto para Japón” (ticket for Japan).
Well, now you guessed what happened next, the 13 year old kid was not able to go to
compete at the event. He was devastated and heartbroken but that unfortunate event
would bring many good things in the future. From that point forward this kid made a
decision that one day he will do something to help other Karate kids and athletes fulfill
their dreams.
Life went on and the kid kept training, winning national titles and earning a spot in the
Jr. National Venezuelan team, this kept him in the game. However, at the age of 20, he
had to make one of the hardest decisions of his life. The country was going through a
bad political/economic situation, he had to decide: Either stay in Venezuela and fulfill his
dreams of becoming a World Champion and pursue his Karate athlete career or move
to the USA in search of a better life for him and his family.
With no money and no English speaking skills, he moved to the USA, worked at any job
he could find, and was able to pay his on way to college. Nine years later, after
graduating with honors, having a successful professional career, and starting his own
dojo he realized once again that his real passion was competitive Karate. How could he
come back to the sport he loves when his prime competitor years were over? Some
people told him: you are too old for that, you have a kid now, a family to take care of,
that is not going to be possible.
Right after he obtained his U.S citizenship, with a lot of family effort and support, he
answered those comments the only way he knew how. He started training and earned a
spot on the USA Sr. National team and realized his dream of competing at the World
highest level.
Most importantly, after his competition years were over, he realized that his dreams
were far more alive than ever because his real purpose in life was to help other athletes
be the best they could be. And that is how Punok got started.
After many years of buying expensive uniforms and Karate equipment, and seeing
some of his own young students sometimes struggle to buy quality uniforms and
equipment, he realized that he could do something about it. In his mind, it was the time
to create something new and make a difference in karate students’ lives by making
uniforms and equipment that were high quality and more affordable to everyone in any
country.
Creating a brand that has a bigger mission than any other brand out there. A brand that
really cares about the athletes and wants to help them as much as possible. A brand
with a real purpose.
So to answer the questions that started this story. How come Punok has been able to
positioned themselves as the new leading brand in the market? It is simply because at
Punok, we really care about our sport! People who buy Punok are supporting the
mission. That is the Punok difference!
Do you want proof? A couple of years ago Punok was the first brand to sponsor Junior
Athletes and now we are the only company who provides real monetary support to help
Karate Kids.
So next time you want to buy the best Gi in the market, know that the company you are
buying from is unique and that it has a mission to grow throughout the world by helping
others.
What we do is not our business, it is our passion. The Punok followers and Punok
community is here to stay.
Passion. Purpose. Trust.
We are Karate!
PUNOK
