32nd American International Karate Championships

Osu! The 32nd American International Karate Championships (AIKC) took place on November 9th, 2024, in Holley, New York. As one of the longest-running knockdown tournaments in North America, the AIKC continues to stand as a premier Kyokushin Karate event, bringing together top competitors from across the United States, Canada, and abroad.

This year's tournament featured participants from 31 dojos across five countries. With karateka from the USA, Canada, Mongolia, Israel, and Kyrgyzstan, the event was a great day of competition and camaraderie.

With 364 event entries, the competition offered numerous opportunities for participants to showcase their skills. Divisions included Knockdown, Semi-Contact, Open-Hand Kata, and Weapons Kata. Full-contact Knockdown fighting, for which Kyokushin is renowned, was particularly thrilling for spectators as fighters demonstrated exceptional endurance, technique, and resilience.

Knockdown Results

Male Open Lightweight Division (-70kg):

• 1st Place: Taylor Haug (S&S Fitness and Martial Arts Center, USA)

• 2nd Place: Nathan Smyl (Kanku Dojo, USA)

• 3rd Place: Jack Dunphy (Fighting Spirit Karate Dojo, USA)

Male Open Middleweight Division (-80kg):

• 1st Place: Francois Presseault (Karate Mascouche, Canada)

• 2nd Place: Jack Sweeney (S&S Fitness and Martial Arts Center, USA)

• 3rd Place: John Brownridge (Kyokushin Karate Club, USA)

Female Open Division:

• 1st Place: Audrey Bartholomay (S&S Fitness and Martial Arts Center, USA)

• 2nd Place: Berenisse In (McCreery Karate-Do Kyokushinkai, USA)

• 3rd Place: Veronica Williams (American Vital Karate, USA)

Male Veterans Heavyweight Division (+85kg):

• 1st Place: Hassan Jomaa (Maximum Training Centre, Canada)

• 2nd Place: Daniel In (McCreery Karate-Do Kyokushinkai, USA)

Male Open Super Heavyweight Division (+90kg):

• 1st Place: Joel Bilodeau (Karate Mascouche, Canada)

• 2nd Place: Байэль Шерматов (Shevchenko, Kyrgyzstan)

USA-IFK President, Shihan Michael Monaco, and AIKC Tournament Director, Sensei Karl Biedlingmaier, wish to express their appreciation to the many volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything possible. They also thank the numerous martial arts schools and organizations that have supported and continue to support the American International Karate Championships each year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2025 for another unforgettable day of karate excellence at the 33rd AIKC!

The USA-IFK’s next event is the 7th Annual United States International Kyokushin Championship, set for February 1st, 2025, at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. For more information and registration, please visit uskyokushin.com. Don’t miss it!

Osu!

Osu! The 32nd American International Karate Championships (AIKC) took place on November 9th, 2024, in Holley, New York. As one of the longest-running knockdown tournaments in North America, the AIKC continues to stand as a premier Kyokushin Karate event, bringing together top competitors from across the United States, Canada, and abroad.

This year's tournament featured participants from 31 dojos across five countries. With karateka from the USA, Canada, Mongolia, Israel, and Kyrgyzstan, the event was a great day of competition and camaraderie.

With 364 event entries, the competition offered numerous opportunities for participants to showcase their skills. Divisions included Knockdown, Semi-Contact, Open-Hand Kata, and Weapons Kata. Full-contact Knockdown fighting, for which Kyokushin is renowned, was particularly thrilling for spectators as fighters demonstrated exceptional endurance, technique, and resilience.

Knockdown Results

Male Open Lightweight Division (-70kg):

• 1st Place: Taylor Haug (S&S Fitness and Martial Arts Center, USA)

• 2nd Place: Nathan Smyl (Kanku Dojo, USA)

• 3rd Place: Jack Dunphy (Fighting Spirit Karate Dojo, USA)

Male Open Middleweight Division (-80kg):

• 1st Place: Francois Presseault (Karate Mascouche, Canada)

• 2nd Place: Jack Sweeney (S&S Fitness and Martial Arts Center, USA)

• 3rd Place: John Brownridge (Kyokushin Karate Club, USA)

Female Open Division:

• 1st Place: Audrey Bartholomay (S&S Fitness and Martial Arts Center, USA)

• 2nd Place: Berenisse In (McCreery Karate-Do Kyokushinkai, USA)

• 3rd Place: Veronica Williams (American Vital Karate, USA)

Male Veterans Heavyweight Division (+85kg):

• 1st Place: Hassan Jomaa (Maximum Training Centre, Canada)

• 2nd Place: Daniel In (McCreery Karate-Do Kyokushinkai, USA)

Male Open Super Heavyweight Division (+90kg):

• 1st Place: Joel Bilodeau (Karate Mascouche, Canada)

• 2nd Place: Байэль Шерматов (Shevchenko, Kyrgyzstan)

USA-IFK President, Shihan Michael Monaco, and AIKC Tournament Director, Sensei Karl Biedlingmaier, wish to express their appreciation to the many volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything possible. They also thank the numerous martial arts schools and organizations that have supported and continue to support the American International Karate Championships each year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2025 for another unforgettable day of karate excellence at the 33rd AIKC!

The USA-IFK’s next event is the 7th Annual United States International Kyokushin Championship, set for February 1st, 2025, at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. For more information and registration, please visit uskyokushin.com. Don’t miss it!

Osu!