Hidden Gems: Meet Robert Zbilski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Zbilski.

Hi Robert, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started martial arts in 1982 while attending Western Illinois University. That same year, I bought my first 3 round kickboxing match and won. I have loved the sport ever since. In 1989 I opened my first martial arts studio in Wheeling, IL., and Z’s Martial Arts Academy aka Team Z was born.

From 1989 to the present, I have trained well over 100 armature champion kickboxers as well as several word professional champions. Due to the large success of our kickboxing team and the growth of our martial arts program, in 2004, I decided to build a new facility in Huntley, Il. and tripled the size of the academy base. In 2006, I was named head coach for Team USA Kickboxing and spent the next 7 years traveling around the world coaching Team USA fighters in international competitions.

In 2013, I became president of Team USA Kickboxing. As president, we established ourselves as a non for profit 501c3 corporation to benefit athletes and promote the sport of kickboxing throughout the united states. In 2017, I helped organize Team USA for The World Games in Poland, and in June of 2021, Team USA Kickboxing, under my guidance, helped contribute to the full recognition of kickboxing becoming an official Olympic sport.

At the present, we are preparing for the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama where I’ll be coaching one of my trained athletes with the hopes of bringing home the gold. This event will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to where we are now had definitely been challenging. We started this business with virtually no money and 2 students out of my garage.

Every penny, I have made has gone back into the business to grow it to the point where it is now. We currently have several hundred students enrolled in Z’s Martial Arts Academy and over 5000 in Team USA Kickboxing.

The hardest part of running a not-for-profit corporation is that we are constantly looking for funding to grow our business. We can only represent our Country with the resources we have available.

We’ve been impressed with Z’s Martial Arts Academy/WAKO Team USA Kickboxing, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Z’s Martial Arts Academy is a martial arts school that teaches men women and children. WAKO Team USA Kickboxing is the national governing body for the sport of kickboxing in the united states with Olympic recognition.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I have found throughout this process that people aren’t always who they claim to be. It has taken me many years to find the right team to be successful.

Pricing:

• Team USA Membership is $25.00 a year.
• Z’s Martial Arts Academy starts at $149.00 monthly.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wakoteamusa.org
• Instagram: WAKO Team USA Kickboxing
• Facebook: WAKO Team USA
• Youtube: WAKO Team USA