Tournaments

Tournament Opportunities at Simba Dojo

At Simba Dojo, our students have wonderful opportunities to participate in martial arts tournaments both locally in Arizona and across the United States. We are proudly affiliated with two major governing bodies: the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and the Arizona State Karate Alliance (ASKA), both of which host high-quality competitive events throughout the year.

ASKA & USKA Competition ASKA frequently hosts local tournaments right here in Arizona. Because ASKA is also affiliated with the United States Karate Alliance (USKA), Simba Dojo students have the unique opportunity to compete in regional and national events on the USKA circuit as well. These events provide excellent competitive exposure while keeping travel manageable.

Click here for information on ASKA sanctioned karate tournaments.

AAU Karate Events The AAU organizes prestigious multi-sport events and Karate championships across the country. While regional AAU Karate tournaments are less frequent in our immediate area, often requiring a bit of travel to participate—they offer fantastic higher-level competition for dedicated athletes looking to travel and test their skills on a national stage.

Beyond local and regional tournaments, the Amateur Athletic Union hosts one of the nation's premier youth athletic celebrations: the AAU Junior Olympic Games. As the largest national multi-sport festival for young athletes in the United States, this prestigious event routinely welcomes over 15,000 competitors across more than 50 sporting disciplines. Designed specifically for U.S. athletes typically between the ages of 5 and 22, the Junior Olympic Games offer young martial artists a unique opportunity to test their abilities on a national stage, build lifelong memories, and gain valuable high-level competition experience.

Karate is officially confirmed as part of the lineup for the 2026 AAU Junior Olympic Games, which will take place from July 27 through August 8, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. The competition schedule features divisions for both traditional karateka and sport-focused competitors, ensuring a comprehensive showcase of talent. While the overall festival dates are set, specific daily event schedules for the Karate divisions will be published as the competition approaches.

Simba Dojo Eligibility & Karate at the 2026 Games Because Simba Dojo is an officially affiliated AAU club, our students are eligible to qualify and participate in the AAU Junior Olympic Games!

Click here for information on AAU karate events!

Sanctioned Events & Insurance Coverage There are various other martial arts tournaments held in Arizona hosted by independent organizations. Simba Dojo members are often eligible to participate in these external events; however, to ensure you are fully covered under our AAU liability insurance, any non-affiliated tournament must be officially reviewed and sanctioned by our club leadership beforehand.

Participation is Always Optional Please keep in mind that tournament participation is entirely voluntary and is never a requirement for belt rank or student advancement at Simba Dojo. Tournaments are a fun, engaging way to measure your personal growth, build camaraderie, and observe how karateka from other dojos train. Even if you do not plan to compete, we highly encourage all students and families to attend at least one local tournament as a spectator to cheer on your teammates and experience the energy of the event!