CWU Karate Club To Host Local Tournament

March 17, 2005

Contact: Ian Quitadamo (509-963-2745/fax 509-963-2730/e-mail: iq@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - A variety of martial arts, including karate, kung fu, tae kwon do, kickboxing, judo and jujitsu, will be displayed at the Kyokushin Challenge Tournament. Sponsored by Central Washington University's Kyokushinkai Karate Club, it will take place Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ellensburg High School.

The tournament will include male, female, junior and childrens' divisions across novice, intermediate, advanced, black belt and senior black belt skill levels in kata (with or without weapons), self-defense, sparring and traditional full-contact kumite. First, second and third place finishes will be awarded in all divisions. Special awards will also be given to participants that show the strongest Kyokushin spirit.

Kyokushin is a traditional Japanese martial art founded by Masutatsu Oyama, who considered one of the most powerful martial artists in history. Through the teachings of Sosai Oyama, Kyokushin students develop their physical and mental abilities through basic, self-defense and kumite (fighting) training. Students of this type of martial arts benefit from increased stamina, strength, flexibility, greater confidence and self-discipline.

Weigh-ins for full-contact kumite will be held Friday, April 1 at 6 p.m. in the Ellensburg High School gymnasium. The base entry fee is $25 with an additional fee of $5 for each competition entered. The fee for spectators is $5 for adults, $3 for students and children and $10 for a family of three or more.

For more information contact Sensei Ian Quitadamo at (509) 963-2745, or via e-mail at iq@cwu.edu. Additional information is also available at www.cwu.edu/~iq/NWKyokushinkai.