Stephen “The Wonderboy” Thompson is head instructor of the children’s karate program at Upstate Karate in Simpsonville, SC, he is 25 years old and the oldest son of Ray Thompson who is also his trainer and manager. He has been studying the martial arts for 22 years and holds black belt ranks in Kempo Karate, Jujitsu and Kickboxing. His kickboxing titles include the 1999 ISKA Georgia State Middleweight Amateur champion, the 2000 ISKA Southeast Middleweight Amateur champion, the 2000 IKF East Coast Middleweight Amateur champion, 2000 PKC National Light Middleweight Amateur champion, 2000 IKF National Middleweight Amateur Champion, 2000 USAKBF North American Middleweight Amateur Champion, 2001and 2002 IKF National Lt. Hvy. Wt. Amateur Champion, 2001 PKC National Lt. Hvy. Wt. Amateur Champion, 2001 USAKBF Lt. Hvy Wt. Amateur World Champion, 2001 WPKA Lt. Hvy. Wt. Amateur World Champion, 2003 IAKSA Cruiserweight World Champion, 2005 WAKO Cruiserweight World Champion,( where he defeated opponents from Italy, Russia, Austria and Germany)and the 2003 IKF Light Cruiser Weight World Champion. Stephen has a fight record of 52 wins and 0 losses with 31 K.O.s.

Stephen has appeared on TV on pay per view and on IKF Kickboxing shows. In 2006 Stephen was the #1 ranked fighter in Chuck Norris’ World Combat League. Stephen has also been featured two times in Martial Arts Digest Magazine. Stephen has performed along with his dad at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in the “Athletes Project”, and has appeared in several commercials. Stephen also performed as one of the “Karate” interests in a musical concert entitled “Remembering the King” “A Tribute to Elvis” where he was a stunt performer in the show. Stephen spends a huge amount of time in school classrooms, where he volunteers his time reading to classes and emphasizing the importance of living a healthy lifestyle through a good diet with exercise and Drug avoidance. Stephen also stresses always doing your best and accepting responsibilities for your own actions. You will also find Stephen volunteering his time in nursing homes where he shares some of his Martial Arts and acrobatic talents.