JAPAN KARATE ASSOCIATION / AMERICAN FEDERATION

2010-03-12T17:20:00.000-06:00

Please click on the image of the flyer for a larger view.

2009-06-05T11:00:00.003-05:00

Results from the testing at the JKAAF national camp. The dan and qualification exams were conducted by the JKA instructors: Takayuki Mikami, Yoshiharu Osaka, and Takuya Taniyama. The exam followed the strict JKA HQ standard, so it was a difficult exam. The exam has given a strong message that the academic side of Karate is as important as being able to execute techniques. It became a great driver for everyone to study even harder for the future. Here are the results.

LAFAYETTE CAMP 2009. Our next event is the 7th annual JKAAF Lafayette camp featuring Sensei Mikami. For more information and a complete registration packet, you can click here.

2009-05-28T08:18:00.001-05:00

MIKAMI ARTICLE. Mikami Sensei's Interview with The Shotokan Way Magazine PostedMikami Sensei's interview conducted by Ms. Maria Hrabec and Mr. Scott Decuir at Greenville Camp earlier this year has been published on The Shotokan Way Magazine. You can view the article at The Shotokan Way website.
JKA CAMP. JKA SKDI (JKA NY) Summer Camp Info. Our fellow United States JKA organization, JKA Shotokan Karate-Do International, is going to be hosting 2009 Summer Camp. The camp is 5-day, content-rich event, led by great JKA instructors. We hope the success of the camp, and members are encouraged to attend the camp. For more information, please contact the JKA of New York at jkanewyork@yahoo.com, or visit www.jkany.org.

2009-04-02T14:37:00.009-05:00

A complete package for registration for the summer camp is now available here. This is a very important event and we strongly encourage all karate-ka with an interest in true JKA karate to register today. The earlier you register the better the rates are for your participation. Also, staying on campus at Tulane is both economical and convenient. Details as to meals, lodging, schedules, testing, qualifications are contained within the registration package. We hope to see you all there. PLEASE NOTE: SPECIAL DAN TESTS FOR ROKUDAN WILL BE HELD AT THIS VERY SPECIAL CAMP.

2009-03-05T14:45:00.005-06:00

Please mark your calendars for the JKA American Federation camp, that will be hosted by Tulane University on May 28 through May 31. This camp will feature Osaka Yoshiharu Sensei, Taniyama Takuya Sensei, along with our own chief instructor Mikami Takayuki Sensei. All three instructors are former Grand Champions of the All Japan Championships. You can click on the image below for a better image of the camp poster and please check back regularly for more details and registration material as it becomes available. Also, the annual All South Karate Federation Championships will be held April 4, 2009 at UNO in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Greenville Camp 2009

2009-02-20T15:26:00.006-06:00

The annual GREENVILLE CAMP is fast approaching and we hope you plan to make final arrangements to attend. If you click on the image above of the brochure, a larger image will appear on your screen, as if by magic. Remember, it is March 6 through March 8, 2009, in Greenville Mississippi.

As you may have noticed, the blog is getting a facelift and now has an interactive calendar for the JKA/AF and an interactive dojo list, as well as an updated listing of important JKA/AF links. Thank you for your patience while we continue to strive towards useful improvements on the site.

2009-01-14T11:36:00.007-06:00

We keep growing! Here is a look at the 39 dojos that are part of the JKAAF. If you click on the image it will bring you to an interactive google map that can help you to locate a JKAAF dojo near you. There is also a small interactive map located at the bottom the page now.

2009-01-03T09:23:00.005-06:00

REPORT FROM THE END OF THE YEAR MEETING AT THE LKA. 12/13//2008 - End of the Year Training at JKA American Federation HQ. The end of the year training has been held on December 13th at the JKA American Federation HQ in Metairie, Lousiana. The dojo floor was filled with members from all over the country to train with Master Mikami to conclude 2008 JKA American Federation training strong. The strong spirit of the members gave a sense for a great year going into 2009.
12/13//2008 - US Team Clinic Fund Raiser at JKA American Federation HQ. A special class was held as a fund raiser for the US Team to travel to the JKA Funakoshi Gichin World Cup in September, 2009 (Tokyo, Japan). The classes were open to all members, and it was taught by several 2009 US Team Members: Lane Nevils, Devin Fadaol, Ray Samana, Dimitri Papadopoulos, and Tony Nakamura. Each member taught a short segment and introduced his/her techniques, training methods, and philosophy that has been acquired as a result of Master Mikami's instructions over many years. Turnout was great, and members who attended the class enjoyed the class greattly. This event will continue to be offered at several seminars and clinics throughout 2009.

12/14//2008 - Instructor Training Program Held at the HQ. The instructor training program was held at the JKA American Federation HQ in Metairie, Lousiana on December 14th, 2008. The class was very successful with active trainees, graduates, and auditors attending this very valuable class. Master Mikami went over 15 Katas, and he also lectured on several topics on what it means to be a Karate instructor.

2008-12-17T14:44:00.004-06:00

NOTICE -- The first Annual Board of Directors Meeting of the JAPAN KARATE ASSOCIATION/ AMERICAN FEDERATION took place on Saturday December 13, 2008 at the JKA/AF Headquarters located at 706-C Phosphor Avenue in Metairie, Louisiana. The meeting was open to all Directors and Officers of the JKA/AF and was well attended. The By-Laws of the corporation were adopted and other matters of business were proposed and voted on. The calendar of events for the year 2009 was prepared from the discussions at this meeting and appears above. If you click on the image you will see an enlarged version of the calendar which is easier to view.

2008-12-10T11:50:00.000-06:00

2008-11-17T14:15:00.002-06:00

11/14/2008 - All South Kid's Tournament. On November 1st, 2008, JKA of Ponchatoula in Lousiana hosted an annual open tournament, All South Kids Karate Championships. There were 90 competitors from 5 different states, and everyone competed under great spirit and respect. The tournamnet results are posted here. JKA of Ponchatoula greatly thanks everyone who supported the tournament.

2008-10-27T15:39:00.004-05:00

University of South Alabama Camp, 2008, Report -- The University of South Alabama hosted its annual training camp and College Championships October 24 through October 26. The featured instructor, Mikami Sensei, took the participants through four vigorous training sessions that touched on every part of the Shotokan curriculum. Thanks to the instructors and students of the USA Karate Club for hosting this event and running a smooth tournament. The next event scheduled for the region is the end of the year training on December 13, 2008. It is very important that every club in the JKA/AF send at least one representative to the training and meeting or contact maria at maria@jkaaf.org to submit a written proxy.

2008-10-22T10:25:00.005-05:00

ELECTION RESULTS. As most of the instructors know, after the formation of the group written ballots were sent out to all the clubs that form the JKA/AF to elect corporate officers. On August 9, 2008, there was an executive committee meeting in Lafayette, Louisiana, in which those ballots were tabulated. The following results were recorded:

Takayuki Mikami, was elected Chairman; Jerry Kattawar, Jr., was elected Vice Chair (Executive Director); Maria Hrabec, was elected Managing Director; Scott Decuir, was elected Secretary; Kyriakos Papadopoulos, was elected Treasurer; Tony Nakamura, was elected Communications Director, and Bill Staten, was elected Auditing Director.

Furthermore, Steve Robichaux, was elected At Large Director, Fathi Jarushi, was elected At Large Director, Doug Walsh, was elected At Large Director, Danny Guidry, was elected At Large Director, Thomas Fields, was elected At Large Director; and Khalil Sorbi, was elected At Large Director.

Furthermore, Shih-Min Hsu was elected Director from Birmingham Shotokan Karate; Dan Almon was elected Director from Capital City Karate Club; Dennis Keyes was elected Director from the Cleveland Shotokan Karate Club; Joe Muzzi was elected Director from the Greenville YMCA Shotokan Karate Club; Michael England was elected Director from the JKA of North Texas; Joe Giluso was elected Director from the JKA of Ponchatoula; Timothy Dupree was elected Director from the JKA of Thibodaux; Angel Carr was elected Director from Southern Shotokan; Dewey Swink was elected Director from JKA of Hammond; Ricky Pampo was elected Director from Karate Club at LSU; Lane Nevils was elected Director from the Lafayette Karate Club; Ramy Badawi was elected Director from the Louisiana Karate Association; Bruce McGee was elected Director from the Maumelle Karate Club; Mai Nguyen was elected Director from Xavier University Karate Club; Richard T. McKenzie was elected Director from the Minden Karate Club; Dimitri Papadopoulos was elected Director from the Jewish Community Center Karate; Wayne Hammond was elected Director from the Monroe Karate Club; Candis Durand was elected Director from the New Iberia Karate Institute; James K. Ellis was elected Director from Nichols State Karate Club; Glenn Taylor was elected Director from the Shreveport Karate Club; Devin Fadaol was elected Director from Tulane Karate Club; Phylis Logsdon was elected Director from University of South Alabama Karate Club; Tim Ethridge was elected Director from Vicksburg Shotokan Karate; Ben Anderson was elected Director from W. Tennessee Karate Association; Rose Shuff was elected Director from University of Louisiana Lafayette Karate Club; Stephen Powers was elected Director from Auburn University Karate Club; Cleo Sorbi was elected Director from the ISKA; Arun Rao was elected Director from University of Illinois at Chicago Karate Club.

All clubs not reporting their elected directors were given time to file their results or verbally contact the managing director with their nominations and those clubs were to still be allowed a representative at all meeting conducted by the Board. Any club who applies for and is granted membership into the JKAAF shall automatically be allowed one representative Director on the board, which should be disclosed on the club’s application form. Congratulations to everyone who was elected.

2008-10-19T10:58:00.005-05:00

RESULTS FROM THE 2008 JKA WF America NATIONAL tournament in Tampa, Florida, October 11th and October 12th. The JKAAF did excellent competitively at the recent tournament. The results are:

In the women's divisions Ray Semana (LKA) was named the best all around female competitor. Ray took first in women's advanced Kata, women's advanced Kumite, and was a member of the women's kata and kumite teams that both took gold and became a nominee for the U.S. team in both kata and kumite. Georgia Gaconnet (JKA Chicago) took second in women's brown belt kata and first in women's brown belt Kumite. Candis Durand (NIKI) placed third in women's kumite and also took gold on the kata and kumite team. Rachel Neill (LKA) placed third in individual kata and received a Gold for team kata and Holly Damico (LKC) received gold for team kumite.

In the men's divisions Lane Nevils (LKC) was named the best all around male competitor. Lane took first in men's advanced kata, silver in men’s kumite, and was a member of the men's kata and kumite teams that both took gold and became a nominee for the U.S. team in both kata and kumite. Devin Fadaol (Tulane) won the Kumite championship, won gold in team kumite and became a nominee for the U.S. team in Kumite. Tony Nakamura (JKA Chicago) took third in Kumite and also became a nominee for the U.S. team. Soon Yeoh (LKC) took fourth in Kata and gold in team kata and kumite. Christopher Jones (JKA Chicago) took silver in men's brown belt kata. Patrik Dala (JKA Chicago) took bronze in men's brown belt kata and kumite. Dimitri Papadopoulos (Tulane) won two gold medals in both men's team kata and team kumite.

In the Senior events Maria Hrabec (LKA) took bronze in kata, gold in kumite, and gold in team kata. Cindy Mortimer (GYMCA) took silver in kata, silver in kumite, and gold in team kata. Helen Stone (LKA) received a gold medal for team kata. Nemoto Hiroshi (JKA Chicago) won gold in men's senior kata.

In the Collegiate Events, Naomi Nemoto (U. of Ill. Chicago) received the gold medal for women’s advanced kumite and Kaitlin Baudier (LSU) received the silver for kumite. Ahria Sorbi (George Mason) received the gold medal in men's individual kata and the silver medal in kumite. Nathaniel Thomas (Xavier) won gold in men's kumite and gold in men's team kumite. Jon Decuir (LSU) won bronze in men's kumite. Jon Malveaux (Xavier) won silver in men's kumite and won gold in men's team kumite. Austin Orgah (Xavier) won the gold medal in men's team kumite.

In the Youth Events, Parisa Sorbi (ISKA) won silver in kata, silver in kumite and bronze in team kata. Cody Sedlitsky (NIKI) won silver in kata. Gavin Campbell (ISKA) took silver in kata and gold in kumite. Paulihna Sorbi (ISKA) won silver in both kata and kumite. Ailsa Campbell (ISKA) won the bronze medal in Kumite. Henry Takane (ISKA) and Ariana Tayebi (ISKA) won bronze in team kumite.

Congratulations to all who participated and to the JKAAF and Sensei Mikami for his positive influence and inspiration on the team. Everyone from the JKAAF displayed great fighting spirit.

2008-10-14T09:22:00.002-05:00

The JKA American Federation, Chief Instructor Takayuki Mikami, has received its official Charter from JKA headquarters. For more information on affiliating your club with the JKAAF or joining the JKAAF please visit www.jkaaf.org.

2008-08-01T09:48:00.001-05:00

STATUS OF THE JKAAF. The JKA/AF was officially recognized by the JKA on Sunday, June 22, 2008, by direct phone communication with Mikami Sensei. The organization is currently in the process of electing officers and enacting the by laws that will govern this non-profit association devoted to the promulgation of JKA Karate throughout America. Our next event, the JKA/WF Acadiana Training camp, is scheduled to take place August 8 - through August 10, 2008 in Lafayette, Louisiana. We are hoping that the results of the elections will be announced at that time. For more information on the camp, please click here. If you have any inquiries, please contact the honbu dojo (the Louisiana Karate Association, i.e., LKA) and ask for Maria Hrabec (706C Phosphor Avenue Metairie, Louisiana 70005 Office: (504) 835-6825 Fax: (504) 835-6825 – e mail -- maria@jkaaf.org).

2008-07-03T15:48:00.000-05:00

IT IS OFFICIAL. We are the JKA/AF. The formal application for non profit corporate status has been approved by the State of Louisiana and we are now officially the Japan Karate Association / American Federation, Inc. This organization, an affiliate of the JKA and JKA/WF, is founded by Mikami Sensei and has as its headquarters the Louisiana Karate Association in Metairie Louisiana (Mikami Sensei's dojo). More information, including applications for joining, will be forth coming soon. Thank you for your interest and continuing support of the JKA and Mikami Sensei.