2025 NATIONALS WEEKEND
November 21-23, 2025
We would like to welcome you to the JKA American Federation 2025 Nationals Weekend, November 21-23, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
JKAAF will conduct a Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan exam, as well as "D" level Instructor, Judge, and Qualifications exams on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. at LKA, 706 Phosphor Ave #C, Metairie, LA 70005. Registrations are due by November 14, 2025. No registrations will be permitted after that date. For fees and eligibility requirements, click here.
Dan Exams
Referee Clinic
Also on Friday, November 21, JKAAF will host a complimentary referee clinic from 4:30 pm until 6:00 pm, at UNO Human Performance Center, 5121 Leon C Simon Dr., New Orleans, LA 70122. Registration is not required and the event is open to everyone interested in preparing for their judging Qualifications exams. Judges for the national tournament are expected to attend.
National Tournament
The National Tournament will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at UNO, Human Performance Center, 5121 Leon C Simon Dr., New Orleans, LA 70122. The tournament begins at 9:00 am. Registrations are due by November 14, 2025. All registrations submitted after that date will incur a $35 late fee. For more information, look at the info packet and scroll down for pricing information and rules.
After Party
The tournament afterparty will be held at Sushi Masa, 725 Veterans Blvd., Suite 4ANC, Metairie, LA 70005, at 7:00 pm on Friday November 22.
JKAAF End of Year Meeting
This year the annual end-of-year meeting will take place on Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 10 am until 12 pm at LKA, 706 C Phosphor Ave., Metairie, LA 70005. The meeting will also be streaming via zoom for those unable to attend in person.
Accomodations
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Marriott-Lakeway, 3838 N. Causeway Boulevard, Metairie, LA 70002. Rooms are available with breakfast included for $129.00 (excluding taxes/fees). Reserve with this link or by calling (866) 882-4377. Reservations must be made by November 7, 2025. Reservations made after November 7 may not qualify for the special rate.
Tournament Information
Fees:
University competitors: $40 before November 14, 2025. $75 after November 14, 2025.
Full-time university students only. Competitors may register for as many divisions as they are eligible for. (i.e. a 19 year old participant may register for Collegiate and Adult divisions)
Youth, Adult, Senior competitors: $60 before November 14, 2025. $95 after November 14, 2025.
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
Youth and Adult teams: $60 per school, per event.
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 "2025MEM". Coupon code not valid for Collegiate competitors.
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:
Adult teams: Kata and kumite teams must be comprised of either men or women, but any combination of rank is allowed.
Youth teams: Any combination of rank is allowed. Kata teams may include both boys and girls. Kumite teams must be either boys or girls, and kumite teams must be comprised of either youths under the age of 12, or youths between the ages of 13 and 17.
Collegiate: Kata teams may be comprised of men and women in any combination of rank. Kumite teams must be either men or women. 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
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)
Collegiate events are for full-time college students of any age.
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.