Kathleen Murphy (born April 13, 1979), known as Katie Murphy, is an American martial artist. She is a twenty-two time World Champion in karate, a fifteen-time U.S. National Champion, and a ten-time New York State Champion.

Personal life:

Murphy was born and raised in LaGrange, New York. The second oldest of nine children, she started her martial arts training as a teenager in 1991. She earned her first black belt (Shodan) in USA Goju ryu karate in 1996 (two weeks after her 17th birthday) under Sensei Thomas Maloney and Sensei Joseph Rinaldi. She was awarded her Fourth degree Black Belt (Yodan) from her instructors in 2010. She was the Head Instructor of the Uniondale, New York Martial Arts Dojo until it ceased operation in 2014. She earned her Ed.D. Degree from Western Connecticut State University in 2014. Dr. Murphy and her husband David Kalish currently live in the Hudson Valley, New York.

Kathleen Murphy currently trains at the Fighting Spirit Karate Studio in New Paltz, New York, under Shidoshi Sean Schenker. Recently, Katie has expanded her martial arts journey, training in Goju-Ryu, Kyokushin, Shotokan, Judo, and Krav Maga.

Achievements:

In 2014, Kathleen Murphy competed on the following circuits: North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA), World Karate and Kickboxing Council (WKC), and the New York Tournament League (NYT). She was a sponsored athlete by Team of the Line.

• 2014 North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA)
• Women’s 30-39 Creative Forms Division Ranking – 1st place (World Champion)
• Women’s 30-39 Traditional Weapons Division Ranking – 1st place (World Champion)
• Women’s 30-39 Traditional Forms Division Ranking – 2nd place (Top Ten)
• Amerikick Internationals Women’s 30+ Forms Grand Champion (Philadelphia, PA) (World Champion)
• Ocean States Grand Nationals Women’s 30+ Weapons Grand Champion (Warwick, RI)
• Ocean States Grand Nationals Women’s 30+ Forms Grand Champion (Warwick, RI)
• New England Open Karate Championship Women’s 30+ Weapons Grand Champion (Marlborough, MA)
• New England Open Karate Championship Women’s 30+ Forms Grand Champion (Marlborough, MA)
• Twin Towers Classic Karate Championship Women’s 30+ Forms Grand Champion (New York, NY)
• Twin Towers Classic Karate Championship Women’s 30+ Weapons Grand Champion (New York, NY)