2024 University Championships and 2024 National Karate Championships
November 23, 2024
We would like to welcome you to the JKA American Federation 2024 University Championships and National Championships on November 23, 2024. Men, women, children, all ranks and Shotokan organizations are invited, and spectators are welcome. There will also be Dan and qualifying exams on Friday, November 22, up to Sandan and "D" level qualifications. Please scroll down to the “Registrations” section for information on how register for the tournaments and examinations.
SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS
Friday, Nov 22, 2024
Louisiana Karate Association
706 C Phosphor Ave., Metairie, LA 70005
3:00-4:00 p.m. Referee Clinic. For all judges and officials for the University Championships and National Championships.
4:00-6:00 p.m. Dan and Qualifications Testing
Saturday, Nov 23, 2024
CYO Gymnasium
2241 Mendez Street, New Orleans, LA 70122
8:00-9:00 a.m. Tournament Check-In
9:00 a.m. Referee Meeting
9:30 a.m. University Championship begins
10:00-10:30 Final Check-In (for any adults and youth who could not check in before 9 am)
11:00 a.m. National Championship begins
6:30 p.m. Reception, at CYO Gymnasium
DEADLINES
Tournaments:
Early Registration: September 23 through October 21. $5 discount.
Registration: October 22 through November 17
University Championship competitors must register by Nov 17.
Late Registration: November 18 and after. $30 late fee.
Dan and Qualifying Exams:
Registration: September 23 through November 11.
Late Registration: November 13 and after. $30 late fee.
FEES
The fee schedule for the Dan Exams and Qualifications Exams is available here.
University Championship competitors: $40. Also includes entry to the National Championship.
National Championship competitors: $60. Includes Youth (under 18), Adult (18-49), and Seniors (50+).
Competitors may register for as many divisions as they are eligible for. (i.e. an 68 year old participant may register for
Adult and Senior divisions)
University Championship teams: Free, in both the University Championship and National Championship.
National Championship teams: $60 per school, per event. Includes Youth and Adult teams.
Example: LKA registers 3 kata teams ($60) and 2 kumite teams ($60) and pays $120 total for their 5 teams.
JKAAF Members: Take $5 off your National Championship registration with code "Champ2024". Coupon code not valid for Collegiate competitors.
REGISTRATION
We request that registrations for these tournaments, the Dan Exams, and the Qualifications exams be completed online. If you are unable to fill out the forms online, a paper registration form is available upon request. Email jkaafusa@gmail.com.
Qualifications Examinees:
-
Pay for your exam here
-
Register for your exam using this form - edit it in your browser, download a completed copy, and email to jkaafusa@gmail.com
-
Sign your waiver here.
-
Email a photograph of your most recent Dan license as well as any qualifications licenses you hold to jkaafusa@gmail.com
Dan Examinees:
-
Pay for your exam here
-
Register for your exam using this form - edit it in your browser, download a completed copy, and email to jkaafusa@gmail.com
-
Sign your waiver here.
-
If you are testing for Nidan or Sandan, email a photograph of your most recent Dan license to jkaafusa@gmail.com
University Competitors:
-
All competitors must currently be enrolled in a community college, a 4-year college, or in a graduate program at an accredited university.
-
Pay for your entry here
-
Sign your waiver here (Under 18? Have a parent sign for you, and also fill out this consent form related to medical treatment)
Nationals Competitors:
-
Pay for your entry here.
-
Sign your waiver here. (Under 18? Have a parent sign for you, and also fill out this consent form related to medical treatment)
Team Competitors:
-
Pay for your school teams here
-
Each school (or their representative) must register their teams. Register your teams by sending your team member names to jkaafusa@gmail.com. Each school can have an unlimited number of teams. However, teams must be comprised of members who are eligible in the divisions they wish to compete in. For example, adult and collegiate kumite teams may not be comprised of one man and two women.
RULES
The tournament will use modified JKA rules.
Kata
Youth divisions: Beginner and intermediate ranks will perform their tokui (favorite) kata. Advanced ranks (brown and black belts) in divisions with 8 or more contestants will compete in a shitei elimination round and will perform their tokui kata in the semi-final/final round(s).
Collegiate divisions: All ranks will perform their tokui (favorite) kata.
Adult divisions: Beginner and intermediate ranks will perform their tokui (favorite) kata. Depending on the number of competitors, advanced ranks (black belts) will compete in an initial heian flag round, a sentei round, and tokui final round.
Senior divisions: Beginner and intermediate ranks will perform their tokui (favorite) kata. Advanced ranks (brown and black belts) in divisions with 8 or more contestants will compete in a shitei elimination round and will perform the tokui kata in the semi-final/final round(s).
Kumite
All matches will be “shobu Ippon Kumite”. JKA rules will be used.
One (1) Point Match – Two (2) wazari ‐ Two (2) Minutes
Youth divisions: no head gear allowed; mouthpieces are required. White naugahyde gloves are required, or gloves with less than 1 inch of padding over the knuckles. Absolutely no face contact is allowed.
Collegiate, Adult, and Senior divisions: Mouthpieces are required. White naugahyde gloves are also required. If contact is made to the face, it must be light contact only.
Teams:
Youth, Adult, Senior teams: teams must be comprised of either men or women, but any combination of rank is allowed. Youth kumite teams must be comprised of either youths under the age of 12, or youths between the ages of 13 and 17. Youth kata teams may be both boys and girls.
Collegiate: Teams may be comprised of men and women in any combination of rank. Combining schools for a team may be permitted at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
Eligibility
All shotokan karate practitioners, regardless of local, national, or international affiliation, may compete at the JKA/AF National Karate Championships.
DIVISIONS
University Championship: Kata and Kumite will be divided into male and female divisions, and is subdivided into beginner (0, 9, 8, 7 kyu)/intermediate (6, 5, 4 kyu) /advanced belts (3, 2, 1 kyu and Dan). Some divisions may be combined if there are not enough competitors.
National Championship: Kata and Kumite will be divided into male and female divisions (except Youth ages 4-5), and is subdivided into beginner (0, 9, 8, 7 kyu)/intermediate (6, 5, 4 kyu) /advanced belts (3, 2, 1 kyu and Dan).
Youth events are ages 4-17. (4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17)
Adult events are ages 18 and up and include a separate black belt division.
Senior events are 50 and up.
Some divisions may be combined if there are not enough competitors.
ACCOMODATIONS
Hotel: There is a discounted group rate for attendees at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. The special room rate will be available until November 7th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first.
Group Name: JKA Karate 2024
Booking Link: Click here to book your hotel reservation at The Country Inn & Suites in Metairie
Start Date: 21-NOV-2024
End Date: 25-NOV-2024
Booking Deadline: Book by November 7, 2024
Hotel Address: 2713 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA 70002
Hotel Phone Number: (504) 835-4141
