Exciting Update – U12 Categories Introduced at the 2025 Junior PKF Championships

We are excited to share an important update regarding international competition opportunities for our young athletes. The Pan American Karate Federation (PKF) has announced the introduction of a new U12 (ages 10-11) category, which will take effect at the 2025 Pan American Youth, Cadet, and U12 Championships in Asunción, Paraguay, from August 28-30th.

In preparation for this change, USA Karate sought input from our Technical and Medical Committees and our Athletes Commission. After careful consideration, we have decided to participate in this new category while prioritizing our athletes' long-term health and development.

Our primary concerns remain burnout and early specialization—our goal is to see our athletes reach their peak at the senior level, following the high-performance models recommended by the USOPC. Additionally, we strongly discourage weight-cutting at this developmental age and will continue to promote safe and healthy competition practices.

To align with our development philosophy, USA Karate will introduce Pre-Team categories at Nationals, separate from the existing advanced divisions, for athletes 10 or 11 years old as of August 28, 2025. Those who qualify through this selection process will be invited to participate in the 2025 Junior PKF Championships in Asunción. Additionally, to ensure the well-being of our youngest competitors, all U12 athletes who participate in Asunción must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at a 1:1 ratio.

We appreciate your ongoing support as we navigate this new opportunity. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to USA Karate’s Director of Sport, Brody Burns, at bburns@usankf.org