K9 Gladiators is a protection sport founded by Louis Williams of Blackmask K9 Training LLC, located in Inglewood. What began as local fun matches evolved into the first official K9 Gladiators Tournament in 2007.

K9 Gladiators was created to provide realistic, high-energy protection sport scenarios that challenge both handler and K9 while promoting control, courage, obedience, and teamwork. The organization is dedicated to developing competition scenarios that reflect modern-day realities while maintaining professionalism, safety, and sportsmanship.

K9 Gladiators hosts:

· Competitive protection sport tournaments

· Educational seminars

· Certified decoy camps

· Advanced training events

The organization plans to host four tournaments annually, with the final event of the season known as “The Grand Finale.” K9 Gladiators also aims to expand events into multiple cities and communities across the country.

Our mission is to educate, entertain, and help grow the protection sport community through realistic and challenging competition. K9 Gladiators takes pride in offering call-off scenarios at every division level — Youth, Amateur, Semi-Pro, and Pro — emphasizing advanced obedience and control throughout the sport.

All tournaments are held on weekends only. In addition, all judges are required to complete an apprenticeship under two certified K9 Gladiators judges before becoming officially certified.