USA Karate (USANKF) formalizes relationship with the WKF Style Competition as part of Disney’s Martial Arts Festival.

Colorado Springs, CO (July 29, 2009) - USA Karate and Disney's Martial Arts Festival have joined forces to further enhance the quality of the Disney Martial Arts competitions and the overall experience for the participants, their families and guests. 

As a result of this newly formed relationship, the 2009 Disney’s Martial Arts Festival will be sanctioned by USA Karate (USANKF) for the first time. In addition, the 2010 Karate Junior International (part of the USA Karate’s US open) will become  eligible for Disney’s Martial Arts Festival.

“This is a great step for our sport and our youth. The opportunity to have our sport and athletes participate under the Disney Sports umbrella send the message that our sport has arrived”… Luke St Onge – CEO, USA Karate

“Our focus from the inception of the Disney's Martial Arts Festival back in 1999 has always been on providing the highest quality experience to our athletes and their family members.  USA Karate has that same focus. The formal support from USA Karate will expose more athletes and families to our unique festival and to the magic of Disney.”...Fred Schoeler – Area Manager, Disney Sports

The WKF Style Karate will be overseen by Senior Coordinator Gene Tibon and coordinated by Bernard Dougherty.  This is Sensei Tibon’s third year as Senior Coordinator of WKF Style Karate.

USA Karate is the largest Karate Organization in the United States in "nature, quality, scope and strength" as determined by the Amateur Sports Act and the USOC, USA Karate remains a nonprofit 501c3 organization open to all martial arts practitioners. It is an organization dedicated to the growth and promulgation of all types of karate in the country.

Disney's Martial Arts Festival will celebrate their tenth anniversary this October 16-18, 2009 at Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort near Orlando, Florida.  Disney’s Martial Arts Festival celebrates the diversity of martial arts. Each discipline is coordinated and judged by knowledgeable authorities in each of their respected systems of martial arts. This translates in to a fair and accurate interpretation of your art. 

For more information on Disney's Martial Arts Festival please visit disneymartialartsfestival.com.

www.disneymartialartsfestival.com

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