The 2025 NYC Karatedō International Championship Tournament is on Saturday, November 8th and Sunday, November 9th, 2025, at Goju Karate.
Goju Karate is proud to host the 2025 edition of the NYC Karatedō International Championship Tournament on Saturday, November 8th, 2025 and Sunday, November 9th, 2025 at the Goju Karate dojo.
History
This year is a massive year of "firsts" for the Tournament.
The traditional Tameshiwari events for the Adults, Teens, and Mentor Divisions returns, and is on Saturday, November 9th. This part of the Tournament celebrates the Fourteenth year of the founding of the Goju Karate dojo, and as such is always sponsored by our own dojo.
(For more on the history of the well-known Tameshiwari seminar that precedes the Tournament every year, please read more here.)
Goju Karate was founded in November 2011, and there's no better way to celebrate this anniversary than watching karateka powerfully destroy whole forests of boards!
However, there is so much more this year!
For the first time, the NYC Karatedō International Championship Tournament expands to two full days and adds events in Kata and Kumite, and a demonstration event for Karatedō competition.
Kata Events for Adults and Kids
The first major addition to the NYC Karatedō International Championship are events for kata competition among all divisions. This includes events for Adults (on Saturday, November 8th) and for Juniors, Youth, Teens, and Mentor Division kids on Sunday, November 9th.
Each division will have multiple rounds of Kata competition, with an overall winner receiving the division trophy and individual round winners receiving medals.
This event also includes an event for Juniors (ages 4-7+) – normally kids in this age group don't have an opportunity to compete, but this year, they'll have a chance to show off their amazing karatedō!
Kumite Events for Adults and Kids
The next major addition to the NYC Karatedō International Championship are events for kumite competition for the Adult, Teen, and Youth divisions. This includes events for Adults (on Saturday, November 8th) and for Youth and Teens kids on Sunday, November 9th.
Each division will have multiple rounds of Kumite competition, with an overall winner receiving the division trophy and individual round winners receiving medals.
The tournament will also feature digital time-keeping and score-keeping, and will implement the newest rules designed to keep competitors safe while also making it convenient to switch red/blue sides during the tournament.
Tameshiwari (Breaking) Events for Adults and Teens
This year, the Tameshiwari events include the usual Adult Division (with both a Men's and Women's Division), a Teens Division (with both a Boy's and Girl's Division), and a special Mentor Division.
Both the Adults and Teens Divisions will feature the usual traditional three rounds: a seiken/no-spacer break, a traditional breaking round with spacers, and the creative breaking round in which competitors will attempt a range of very challenging breaks.
Both divisions will, as usual, have separate categories for both male and female competitors: based on early registrations, there will be plenty of karateka in both groups.
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Goju Karate
READ MORE: The Official Tournament Rules and Scoring
Karatedō Demonstration Event for Adults
This year, the Tournament will also feature a demonstration event (no trophies or medals will be awarded) in the Karatedō category.
This is a unique event that will be a medal event in 2026; it offers the opportunity for competitors to demonstrate their skill in leadership, speaking, and knowledge of the core philosophical concepts in karatedō.
While no prizes will be awarded in this category, the Tournament Cup for this category will be on display.
This event is only offered for Adults this year and will be held at the end of competition on Saturday, November 8th.
Guest Tickets
Guests and spectators are welcome to attend and cheer for their friends, family members, and all the amazing competitors that will be working hard that day. (Guest tickets for guests age 5 or older are available for purchase online and at the Goju Karate front desk – all proceeds from ticket sales go to support the financial aid programs of Goju Karate.)
Competitors will also have the opportunity to purchase a limited-edition Tournament t-shirt as part of entry: these t-shirts are never available for sale to non-competitors, and are different each year.
Registering
Tournament registration is open to any adult (17 years of age or older) or kids in any division. Tickets, tournament entry fees, and of course boards and spacers my be purchased at the Goju Karate Front Desk at the NYC Dojo, but registration for all events, guest tickets, and board and spacer supplies are also available online.
Register Online, Get Guest Tickets, Reserve T-Shirts, Buy Boards and Spacers
Registration is, as always, limited: board orders have already been placed, and when the supply of boards is exhausted, we can no longer accept new competitor registration. Please register soon!
Scenes from Previous Years
Please join us, the entire Goju Karate dojo, and all the competitors in the 2025 NYC Karatedō International Championship Tournament on November 8th and 9th, 2025. Register here.
