2025 Karate National Championships & U.S. Junior Team Trials

Fort Worth Convention Center
1201 Houston Street
Fort Worth, Texas

Book Now

May 1-June 24th
Non Elite 1st division: $110
2nd-4th divisions: $70
Elite Kata: $135
Elite Kumite: $135

Late fee registration will be June 25-July 9th: Add $50

HERE

USA Karate is excited to announce three dynamic Coach Certification Courses taking place during the 2025 USA National Championships and U.S. Team Trials! Whether you’re focused on kata or kumite, these

courses are designed to elevate your coaching skills, deepen your technical knowledge, and prepare you to guide athletes at the highest levels of competition.

KATA COACH LEVEL ONE – FOUNDATIONS

Time: 9am - 10:30am (90 minutes) | Format: Lecture

Attire: Club tracksuit | Cost: $75

This classroom-based course provides an essential overview of kata competition, including event structure, the four major traditional styles, global standardization, and how to use the Kata Selection Database. This is

the required first step toward full kata coach certification.

KATA COACH LEVEL TWO – TATAMI APPLICATION

Time: 11am – 1pm (2 hours) | Format: Lecture + Practical

Attire: Full gi required | Cost: $75

Prerequisite: Level One certification

Take your kata coaching to the next level with hands-on instruction on WKF standards, kata evolution, strategic selection, and performance analysis. This course combines classroom insights with tatami-based practical application. Level One Kata Coach is a prerequisite for this course

KUMITE COACH LEVEL ONE

Time: 2pm – 4pm (2 hours) | Format: Lecture + Practical

Attire: White gi pants and workout shirt | Cost: $75

Be part of the launch of USA Karate’s new Kumite Coaching Certification! This essential course covers field-of-play professionalism, protest procedures, bracket management, USA Karate’s standardized warm-up, and coaching fundamentals. The second half moves to the tatami for practical training on footwork and youth development strategies.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

• Location: Fort Worth Convention Center, Room 110B

• Cost: $75 per course

• Registration: Must be completed in advance at www.tournamentinabox.com

• Open only to USA Karate members with a valid Coach Membership.

Register at: https://tournamentinabox.com/

Every year, USA Karate celebrates its top athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials. This year, we're adding two new awards to the lineup: the Golden Gi and the Platinum Dojo award.

The Golden Gi isn't just any award—it's all about recognizing the club with the most gold medals. The Platinum Dojo award goes to the club with the highest participation at Nationals. How do you snag one of these shiny accolades? Check out our criteria below.

Get ready to bring your A-game to the National Championships, and let's see who'll be taking home the Golden Gi!

Club Awards
Golden Gi

Criteria:

• Must be a registered USA Karate club
• Highest overall gold medal count, regardless of categories

Platinum Dojo

Criteria:

• Must be a registered USA Karate club
• Highest number of registrations from a club

Coaches Awards

Coach of the Year

Criteria

• USA National Coach
• Has made significant contributions to the National Teams and National Coaching Staff
• Actively participated in the success of US Team athletes
• Led or actively participated in USA Karate training or regional camps

Developmental Coach of the Year

Criteria

• Coached at all Signature Events in the past year
• History of coaching at USA Karate local and national tournaments
• Actively and positively supports USA Karate with their participation and the participation of their athletes
• Produces athletes that consistently make the podium domestically at Signature Events regardless of category.

Referee Awards

Referee of the Year

• Criteria
• International licensed referee (PKF, WKF)
• Currently participates in international PKF and WKF events
• Currently participates in USA-NKF Signature Events
• Serves as a Mentor to help build up other referees pursuing higher licenses.
• Positively contributes ideas to increase operations at Signature Events
• Is a positive example to other referees of the quality of USA Referee Program

National Referee of the Year

Criteria

• USA-NKF National licensed referee
• Currently participates in USA-NKF Signature Events
• Works to continually seek improvement and guidance from other referees.
• Provides support through athlete and volunteer participation for USA-NKF events.
• Represents the USA Referee program well.

Volunteer Awards

Volunteer of the Year

Criteria

• Repeated volunteer service to USA Karate
• Presents a positive image of USA Karate to the public
• Demonstrates the giving spirit of volunteerism by selflessly donating time and effort to USA Karate events and goals
• Contributes a positive attitude and behavior toward fellow volunteers, referees, coaches, fans and athletes.

*All award recipients must be members of USA Karate