I.K.A. ISSHINRYU NATIONAL BLACK BELT CHAMPIONSHIPS

I.K.A. - ISSHINRYU KARATE-DO ASSOCIATION presents the
I.K.A. ISSHINRYU NATIONAL BLACK BELT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - Mt. Juliet (Nashville), Tennessee

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The Isshinryu Karate-Do Association will donate 50% of the profit from the April 10th I.K.A. Isshinryu Black Belt Championships to the Woods Medical Fund. The Fund was recently established by the Isshinryu Hall of Fame to assist the Woods family, which is uninsured, with funds for medical care. The I.K.A. donation will supplement the series of benefit auctions held by the I.H.O.F. Anyone who has been a part of the annual I.H.O.F. events is familiar with Uriah (Woody) and Sherry Woods. Sherry was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and is fighting for her life. She is undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy to battle the disease. Woody is a consummate competitor, a tough-as-nails Isshinryu man, a fantastic human being, and Sherry is always by his side.
In the spirit of the One Heart Way, Isshinryu all over the country has come together for this family via this Medical Fund. Without the donations, much if not all treatments would be impossible. There are about 15 separate Isshinryu organizations and if each organization will send 10 or more adult Black Belts, we will have enough to make a nice donation.
I.K.A. is in possession of Tonfas once owned by Grand Master John Bartusevics. These weapons are of historical significance and will be awarded to the association that sends the largest contingent (not including I.K.A.) to compete in the I.K.A. Isshinryu Black Belt Championships.
Additional information on the tournament will be posted at IKA-Isshinryu.com.
Or, for more info, contact: Dr. Bill Pogue, I.K.A. Director, 318-918-9671.

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I.K.A. - ISSHINRYU KARATE-DO ASSOCIATION
presents the

I.K.A. ISSHINRYU
NATIONAL BLACK BELT
CHAMPIONSHIPS

Open to All Isshinryu Black Belts 17 years and older

Saturday, April 10, 2010
West Wilson Middle School

Mt. Juliet (Nashville), Tennessee

This is the first I.K.A. Tournament open to all Isshinryu Black Belts. We encourage all Isshinryu Organizations to send a team.


We may use round-robin kumite and double performances (kata and weapons kata competition). We ask each organization to send at least TWO competitors per division.
Only ONE synchronized Kata Team per school (must have 3+ members). We will supply a WUKO-style referee video on this website and a clinic on Friday evening, April 9, 2010, 5:00-7:00pm for those who wish to referee kumite. All kumite referees must attend the seminar and be pre-registered.
I.K.A. Isshinryu is in the process of being recognized by WUKO and Isshinryu Katas will be on the list of WUKO- sanctioned disciplines. If you are not familiar with WUKO standards, search YouTube, WUKO Kumite, or WUKO Kata to get a preview. It makes for a very professional event.
Since this is an event aimed at your elite competitors, Black Belt Isshinryu adults only, it is truly a National Black Belt Championship.
We request white gis with black belts for all competitors except Demo Competitors who may wear black gis. and black or red/white belts.
Age requirements will be strictly observed. I.K.A. does not recognize 4th Dans under age 28, or 6th Dans under age 38 - NO exceptions.

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SCHEDULE, CATEGORIES, EVENTS
Friday, April 9, 5-10pm: Seminars, Judge Certification

Saturday, April 10, 9:00am - Elimination

Kata, Weapons, Kumite Divisions - Men & Women

Shodan: 17-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Nidan/San Dan: 20-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
4th and 5th Dan: 28-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
6th & 8th Dan: 38-49, 50-59, 60+

7:00pm - Finals and Demos
Demo Divisions: Bunkai, Breaking, Self-Defense
Finals and Grand Championships:
Kumite, Kata, Weapons.
Synchronized Team Kata - All Ranks

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I.K.A. TOURNAMENT RULES

This yearly tournament is open to all adult Isshinryu Black Belts, 17 years of age and older. The purpose of this tournament is to provide a very clean-cut and professional level tournament to those who are usually "working" all day at tournaments and/or are past the usual age and/or rank for competition. We use modified W.U.K.O./W.K.F refereeing procedures to provide a structured event.
Please refer to IKA-Isshinryu.com for Tournament Rule details.

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Team kata - 3 or more members any rank.
Breaking - any rank.
Demonstration - any rank demo.
Demo competitors will vote on each others performance.

All 9th and l0th Dans are invited to demonstrate and/or serve as head referees.

It is strongly encouraged that each association or independent school arrive with a
school flag or banner, similar to Mr. Laney's group flag at the I.H.O.F. -
very classy indeed and a staple at large, international tournaments.

If we get enough pre-registrations we will possibly offer a full contact Bogu-gear (koshiki) division for
1-5 Dan. This is in honor of Master Shimabuku , an innovator in the use of Bogu for real life fighting.

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All Isshinryu 9th & 10th Dans are hereby invited to attend, judge, hold seminars on Friday evening and/or demonstrate. Video and still pictures will be taken of all activities for submission to the "Discovery Channel".
This will be a historical event likely to bring attention to Isshinryu worldwide. We want you to be a part of it.

Pre-registration is mandatory.

Co-Directors:
Dr. William Pogue, Master Harvey Kennedy, Sensei Mike Meyers

Refer to: www.IKA-Isshinryu.com for further info
or call Dr. Pogue at (318) 918-9671