NATIONAL KARATE TOURNAMENTS & MARTIAL ARTS EVENTS
National Karate hosts high-energy tournaments throughout the year, giving students opportunities to compete, build confidence, and represent their schools with pride.
From team competitions to world-recognized championships, these events give students opportunities to showcase their skills while developing discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship.
For many families, tournaments are one of the most exciting parts of training at National Karate.
Interested in becoming part of a school that offers opportunities like this?
2026 Diamond Nationals
October 9 – 10, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington, Minnesota
Registration for the 2026 Diamond Nationals will open soon.
Visit the official website for updates and registration details: https://diamondnationals.com/
Diamond Nationals is proud to be a NASKA 6A World-Rated Tournament.
In 1978, Larry Carnahan and Bill Dunkley (National Karate’s first attorney, black belt, and longtime friend) formed JLB Productions and launched what would become one of the most respected sport karate events in North America.
National Karate has been promoting sport karate tournaments since 1978, and the Diamond National Karate Championships has grown into one of the largest and most successful martial arts tournaments in the country.
Bill Dunkley’s mentorship and legal guidance played a vital role in the early development and long-term success of both the schools and the tournament. Larry Carnahan has served as President of the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) since its founding in the early 1980s.
Today, NASKA remains the largest sanctioning body for martial arts tournaments in the United States. On the sport side of the organization’s combined efforts, Larry Carnahan has long been recognized as a leader and authority in competitive karate.
The First Diamond Ring
1978 marked the inaugural year of the Diamond Nationals Karate Championships, originally known as the Mid-America Diamond Nationals. The event received tremendous acclaim, and Keith Vitali, the number one point fighter in the country at the time won the first Diamond Ring ever awarded.
Over the decades, the Diamond Nationals has distinguished itself as one of the premier karate tournaments in the world.
National Karate proudly celebrates its black belt champions who have earned the coveted Diamond Rings, including Sue Lomasney, Ki’Tana Everett, and Ashley Firouzi.
A Family Tradition
The Carnahan family has played an integral role in the tournament’s continued success, assisting with registration, judging, weigh-ins, competing, and overall event coordination.
From its humble beginnings to its world-rated status today, the Diamond Nationals continues to represent excellence, tradition, and competitive spirit in martial arts.
A Signature Team Tournament for National Karate Students
The National Karate Sport Karate Challenge is a signature team tournament held exclusively for National Karate students.
Each spring, schools from across the region come together for an exciting day of competition, performance, sparring, and school spirit. Students of all ranks participate while representing their school and contributing points toward their team’s overall standing.
The event is designed to celebrate teamwork, skill development, and the strong sense of community that defines National Karate.
The 2026 Sport Karate Challenge took place on March 9, 2026, bringing together students and families for a full day of competition and excitement. The event will return again in Spring 2027.
Tournament Format
- Schools compete in A, AA, or AAA divisions based on active student count
- Approximately one-third of schools are placed in each division
- Students competing in Performance or Team Performance divisions earn one Form point toward their school’s team total
- School Champions are awarded Championship Flags to proudly display at their schools
Competition Events
Events include a wide variety of divisions designed for students of all ranks and ages.
Performance Events
- Family Performance
- Black Belt Team Forms
Little Masters
- Basics Performance (All Ranks)
- Basics Competitive (All Ranks)
- Sparring
Youth / Teen / Adult – Black Belts
- Weapons
- Open Hand Form (Immediately following Weapons)
- Black Belt Sparring
Visit the official website for more information about the organizations, competitors, and schools involved.
Sport Karate Challenge Official Page
Why Tournaments Matter
Competition gives students the opportunity to test their skills, gain confidence, and develop resilience in a supportive environment.
Whether students are stepping onto the competition floor for the first time or pursuing advanced competition goals, tournaments are an important part of the growth journey at National Karate.
Students who participate often gain:
- Increased confidence
- Stronger focus and discipline
- Team pride and camaraderie
- Leadership and performance skills