The 2026 NYC Karatedō International Championship Tournament is on Saturday, Ocotber 24th and Sunday, October 25th, 2026, at Goju Karate.
Goju Karate is proud to host the 2026 edition of the NYC Karatedō International Championship Tournament on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 and Sunday, October 25th, 2026 at the Goju Karate dojo.
Register to Compete, Buy Spectator Tickets, and Purchase Merchandise
History
This year follows the successful expansion to a two-day event last year, the first time that the NYC Karatedō Championship had separate days for kids and adults.
The traditional Tameshiwari events for the Adults, Teens, and Mentor Divisions returns, and is on Saturday, October 24th. This part of the Tournament celebrates the Fifteenth 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!
Kata Events for Adults and Kids
The most popular event at the NYC Karatedō International Championship are events for kata competition among all divisions. This includes events for Adults (on Saturday, October 24th) and for Juniors, Youth, Teens, and Mentor Division kids on Sunday, October 25th.
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
New this year is a fully-digital scoreboard and precision timing for the NYC Karatedō International Championship events for kumite competition in the Adult, Teen, and Youth divisions. This includes events for Adults (on Saturday, October 24th) and for Youth and Teens kids on Sunday, October 25th.
Each division will have multiple rounds of Kumite competition, with an overall winner receiving the division trophy and individual round winners receiving medals.
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 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
This event also will benefit, for the first time this year, with a new fully digital timing and scoring system,
Karatedō Demonstration Event for Adults
This year, the Tournament will also feature a full medal/trophy event in the Karatedō category.
This is a unique event that offers the opportunity for competitors to demonstrate their skill in leadership, speaking, and knowledge of the core philosophical concepts in karatedō.
This event is offered for Adults and Teens this year, with Adult Karatedō's three rounds being presented on Saturday, October 24th, and the Teens divisions for Karatedō occurring on Sunday, October 25th.
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 and also the different events at the NYC Karatedō Championship.)
IMPORTANT: Spectator tickets are limited; please be sure to buy your tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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 2026 NYC Karatedō International Championship Tournament on October 24th and 25th, 2026. Register here.
Register to Compete, Buy Spectator Tickets, and Purchase Merchandise
