North American Sport Karate Association
Join the premier karate organization in North America or sanction your next elite tournament. Transparent pricing, secured by Stripe.
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Memberships & Sanctions
From annual memberships to world-stage tournament sanctions — find the right tier for you or your event.
2026 Season
Official rules governing all NASKA sanctioned competitions for the 2026 season. Download the complete rulebook and clarification summary below.
The complete official rules of the North American Sport Karate Association for the 2026 season. Covers all aspects of competition including sparring, forms, weapons, team events, judging procedures, penalties, seeding rules, and the NASKA Code of Ethics. Updated January 2026.
⬇ Download Rule Book (PDF)A concise summary of the key clarifications and changes to NASKA rules for the 2026 season, including penalty point distinctions, the 10-point spread rule, and World tournament rating updates.
⬇ Download Clarification Summary (PDF)It has come to the attention of the NASKA Board of Directors that competitors participated in age divisions for which they were not eligible in early 2026. This notice serves as the only communication that this is a rule infraction and will not be tolerated.
The age rule will be enforced with no exceptions. A competitor must compete in the division for which they are eligible.
If proof of age is requested, a physical copy — not a photo on a phone or digital copy — must be presented. Accepted forms of ID include a legal birth certificate, a valid driver's license, REAL ID, or a valid passport.
All adult black belts must present a valid physical photo ID that includes the date of birth before being allowed to weigh-in for competition.
If anyone falsifies a document to compete in a division for which they are ineligible, NASKA will take immediate action, including but not limited to disqualification from the event, loss of all points earned for the year, and suspension from future events.
Rules are subject to change. Always refer to the official NASKA rulebook for complete and current regulations. Visit naska.com for the latest updates.
Ratings
View current standings and competitor rankings on the official NASKA ratings portal.
View Ratings →2026 Season
Tournament dates and ratings are subject to change. New tournaments may be added. NASKA will notify all members of any changes. Gold = World Tour (6A) event
Tournament dates and ratings are subject to change. Visit naska.com for the most current schedule.
Est. 1986
North American Sport Karate Association — shaping competitive karate since 1977.
The origins of the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) can be traced back to 1977, when Karate Illustrated Magazine — under the leadership of executive editor Renardo Barden — introduced a national ratings system for tournament competitors. At a time when competitive karate lacked structure and consistency, this system created a unified method to recognize top athletes across the United States.
Initially, competitors were ranked across 12 regions, with national standings determined through evolving criteria. Over time, the system expanded to include divisions for men, women, and juniors in forms, weapons, and fighting. Tournaments themselves were also evaluated and rated (A, B, or C) based on level of competition, organization, hospitality, and overall event quality.
By 1986, after nearly a decade of shaping the competitive landscape, Karate Illustrated discontinued its ratings program. Rather than allow the system — and the unity it brought to the sport — to disappear, the promoters of the top-rated "A" tournaments came together to preserve and expand the concept. This collaboration led to the official formation of NASKA.
NASKA was established by a coalition of premier tournament promoters, including representatives from:
Together, these promoters created a unified league dedicated to sanctioning elite tournaments, ranking competitors, and advancing the sport of karate. Over the years, NASKA has grown to include a dynamic World Tour, featuring many of the most prestigious events in North America, along with regional, national, and international competitions.
The first elected Presidents of NASKA were Cesar Borkowski and Jim Lantrip. In 1988, Larry Carnahan was elected the 3rd President of NASKA through a full board vote, beginning a historic leadership tenure that spanned nearly four decades. Under his direction, NASKA became one of the largest and most respected sport karate organizations in the world, setting the standard for tournament structure, judging, and athlete rankings.
In 2026, Larry Carnahan officially retired from his role as President and was honored with the title Chairman of the Board, Emeritus, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the sport. Following NASKA's long-standing tradition of democratic governance, the Board of Directors elected Mike McCoy — one of the original founding members of NASKA — as the new President. Mr. McCoy brings over 40 years of experience as a promoter, director, and leader in sport karate, and continues the mission of advancing the league into the future.
Since its founding, NASKA has remained the leader in open tournament sport karate, providing:
NASKA continues to evolve with the sport, supporting competitors, schools, promoters, and officials while expanding its reach across North America and internationally.
As NASKA moves forward under new leadership, the organization remains committed to:
To honor the many athletes who have shaped the sport, NASKA is also developing a NASKA Champions Hall of Fame, celebrating decades of excellence and achievement.
Official Policy
Official NASKA & Event Promoter Attendee Admissions Policy for all NASKA sanctioned, approved, or otherwise affiliated events.
Participation in NASKA-sanctioned or NASKA-approved or affiliated events, as a competitor, coach, team leader, spectator, sponsor or vendor, or any other role that would bring a person into the space that is under the control of the event promoter (including those delegated this control by the promoter) is open to all persons regardless of age, martial arts skill rank, nationality, race, gender, religious preference, language, culture, or experience in or with the martial arts of any style, type, system, affiliation, association, company, or martial arts philosophy (herein "attendees", prior to, during, and after any admission to the "event"). This attendance is considered a privilege that exists at the pleasure of the promoter and may be revoked at any time for any reason by the promoter.
In the above foregoing paragraphs, and in the overall statement and intent of the Official NASKA & Event Promoter Attendee Policy above, the term "Promoter" refers to the legal entity, usually but not limited to a corporation or LLC, that is the owner and/or organizer and operator, of each event. Any action or omission by any "promoter" is solely an act or omission by the legal entity owning, organizing, and/or operating that particular event, and cannot be considered actions or omissions by any individual person outside of the legal entity.
Likewise, any action or omission by an "official NASKA representative" is considered an action not in any capacity by an individual, but rather by World Tour Promoters, LLC or by a NASKA organization that is recognized and authorized by World Tour Promoters, LLC to carry out actions and omissions solely on behalf of World Tour Promoters, LLC and no other entity or individual.
The term "attendee" refers, as noted above, as a person or persons or group of persons who has or is attempting to, attend an event such as a martial arts tournament or other event that is organized, operated, and promoted by the "promoter" as defined above; and sanctioned or approved by, or affiliated to, NASKA as defined above.
2026 Season
Minimum prize money requirements for World Tour sanctioned events. All Adult Grand Champion divisions are eligible for the amounts listed below.
Prize money amounts are minimums per World Tour sanctioned event. Actual payouts may exceed these figures at the discretion of the tournament promoter.
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