Attending the NYC KARATEDŌ INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Tournament

Everyone is excited to see you at the Tournament! That includes all of the hardworking men and women who volunteer their time to organize the amazing event; all the competitors who train hard to prepare to compete; and everyone else who participates in the tournament to support such a wonderful cause, including our generous and supportive sponsors.

Here's some handy tips for everyone – competitors and spectators – attending the Tournament:

Getting to the Tournament

714 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022

The Tournament is held at 714 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10065. Our host is Goju Karate: please use the door button (to the left side of the main entrance) to access the main building door. Follow the signs and proceed to the FOURTH FLOOR for registration (spectators and competitors).

The Tournament is at the corner of 57th Street and Lexington Avenue. It is accessible by all major subway and bus lines. There is plenty of parking in almost every direction within a few blocks.

At the Tournament

Spectators and Competitors

Space is limited: strollers, large bags, etc. are not permitted. Purses, diaper bags, and small bags are permitted. Please don't bring anything that will cause an issue for fellow spectators.

No animals of any kind under any circumstances are permitted. We regret that the Tournament is not service-animal accessible. We're working on this for next year!

Proper Dress: All spectators and competitors are expected to wear appropriate clothing for a traditional karatedō tournament. Clothing with offensive language, political language, or is otherwise inappropriate is not permitted. We assume you know what appropriate dress entails, but hats are inappropriate for men indoors, and clothing should be casual but not tattered. No face masks are permitted in any area of the Tournament.

Note also that shoes are not permitted on the competition floor nor in the spectator area (spectator seating is located on a dojo floor). Leave shoes in designated areas.

No food or drink: Food and Drinks are not permitted anywhere on the competition floor, or in the spectator area. Please respect the space donated for the Tournament and abide by this. This includes water bottles or other liquids, and applies to all age ranges.

Note that light snacks and beverages are available at the Tournament for purchase, and there are areas where you can enjoy them: but not on the competition floor or the spectator areas.

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: You may bring any cell phone or mobile electronic device that you wish, but under no circumstances may they make noise of any kind. Assume you are in a movie theater, and turn off any ringers or audible tones.

Noise: Make noise! Applaud, cheer, and shout positive encouragement! But do so when it is appropriate: during a kata, which requires intense concentration, keep noise to a minimum. After a successful break, cheer! And after an unsuccessful break, cheer louder – it takes courage to get up and attempt a break in Tameshiwari and competitors deserve all the accolades that you can give them!

Please keep conversation volume to reasonable level, especially during events like kata. Again, just imagine you are in a movie theater, and you'll be fine.

Re-Entry is Permitted: Spectators are free to leave and return at any time during the event day for which they have a ticket. Please keep your wristband – it's your entry and re-entry ticket.

Photography: You may photograph your own children but you may not photograph other parent's children without their explicit permission. Please respect the privacy and safety of minors.

Photography is permitted during the Tournament otherwise. However, flash photography is never permitted under any circumstances.

Also understand that Tournament staff will photograph and video many of the events and competitors and spectators may be in these photos and videos; these will be used in future editions of the official Tournament website and in marketing materials for the Tournament.

Respectful Behavior: Please remember this is a karatedō tournament, and not a prize fight. We want you to cheer and applaud for the competitors you are supporting, and for all the competitors in general. Negative comments, disrespectful behavior, or conduct inappropriate for a karatedō event are not permitted, and may result in penalties applied to competitors or spectators being removed from the tournament (see the official rules for the various events for details on this). Please note this especially applies to "coaches" or instructors: some tournaments allow or even encourage inappropriate behavior. We do not.

Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco: The use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs of any kind is contrary to spirit of karatedō, regardless of their legality. Do not, under any circumstances, bring or possess drugs or alcohol of any kind at the Tournament. This includes marijuana or marijuana-related products. In the event you do so, you will be ejected immediately. The Tournament is a non-smoking area and no tobacco consumption is permitted in any form.

Competitors

Helpful Hints for a Successful Tournament

In addition to the guidelines and rules for Spectators, Competitors are advised of these rules and recommendations as well:

Be On-Time: On Saturday, the Tournament opens at 10AM. Plan to be here by that time: competition will start at 10:15AM for Adults.

On Sunday, the Tournament opens at Noon. Plan to be here by that time, especially if you are competing in the Juniors Division: it starts at 12:15PM.

Limited Locker Room Space: There are locker rooms for Men and Women; however space will be extremely limited. You should expect to have an equipment bag with your uniform and rank belt, any other clothing you need, kumite equipment if your are competing in kumite events, and tameshiwari equipment (spacers, boards, etc.) if you are competing in those events. You may leave your equipment bag in the locker room areas. DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR BAG.

Uniform: All competitors must be in full uniform to compete. Consult the specific rules for what constitutes a valid uniform, but in short, it consists of a standard white Gi with a rank belt. If your dojo uses a black uniform, you must get prior approval for its use from Tournament staff.

Note that all the various event rules make provision for wearing head-covering and other articles of clothing that are connected with the observance of one's religious beliefs. The Tournament strongly supports practitioners of all variety of religious beliefs and permits the wearing of such clothing. This is also explicitly permitted in every event's official rules.

First Aid: Limited first aid is available, and the Tournament has medical professionals in attendance that can provide basic assistance. This includes bandages and antiseptic washes and antibiotic ointments, but anything above that will require off-site medical attention.