JKO 53rd Annual Tournament

Name: JKO 53rd Annual Tournament
Start: 2025-01-19T09:00:00-08:00
Location: Calavera Hills Community Park

Schedule

Sun, 19 Jan, 2025 at 09:00 am

UTC-08:00

Location

Calavera Hills Community Park | Carlsbad, CA

Dear Esteemed Senseis and Athletes,
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I invite you to participate in the Japan Karate-Do Organization’s 53rd Annual National Shito Ryu Karate-Do Championship on January 19, 2025, at the Calavera Hills Community Center, located at 2997 Glasgow Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92010.
This year’s championship continues a rich legacy that began in 1973, when I held the very first JKO tournament. At the time, few were practicing Shito-Ryu Katas in Southern California, where Shotokan—particularly JKA Shotokan—dominated most karate schools. Even respected senseis like the late Sensei Kiyoshi Yamazaki of Shindo Jinenryu Ryobu Kai and the late Sensei Fumio Demura of Itosu Kai found that many karateka in the region were unfamiliar with Shito-Ryu Katas. This inspired me to organize the tournament as a platform for Shito-Ryu practitioners to represent and promote the style.
That inaugural event was attended by prominent figures like Sensei Demura and Sensei Yamazaki, and their students, most of whom had never practiced Shito-Ryu Katas. Over the years, we formed the USA Karate-Do Rengo Kai, and in collaboration with our Japanese counterparts, participated in the Japan Karate-Do Rengo Kai tournament in Osaka, Japan. This strong foundation paved the way for the lasting success of the JKO National Championship.
I recall that Mr. Sho(ichi) Kosugi, who later gained fame as a Ninja movie star after starring in over 20 films, won the Black Belt Kumite Division in our first tournament. The Kata Division was won by Judo Sensei Hiraoka, both under the guidance of the late Sensei Fumio Demura, who, along with these athletes, performed karate demonstrations at the Japanese Village in Anaheim, CA. We also showcased our skills as part of a Japanese team at SeaWorld for several years.
Fast forward to today, this championship promises to be an exceptional showcase of talent, dedication, and sportsmanship. As always, our goal is to create a platform that celebrates the spirit of Karate-Do while providing athletes the opportunity to test their skills at the highest level alongside fellow karateka from both local and international communities.
To our respected Senseis, your guidance and expertise are invaluable in shaping the future of our sport. Your dedication to fostering the growth and potential of young athletes continues to lay the foundation for karate’s future. We warmly invite you to join us at this event, as your presence and participation will help to further elevate the experience.
To the dedicated athletes, this championship is your opportunity to demonstrate the results of your countless hours of training, discipline, and perseverance. The JKO National Championship offers a stage to showcase your skills, push your limits, and forge lasting connections with your fellow competitors.
Please mark your calendars and ensure you are part of this incredible event on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Calavera Hills Community Center. For details regarding registration, the schedule, and venue logistics, visit our website at www.jko.com. We encourage you to complete your registration as soon as possible to secure your participation.
We eagerly await your enthusiastic participation and look forward to witnessing your incredible skills on display this coming January.
Warmest regards,
Hanshi M. Miki