Events
We offer a variety of competitive events throughout the year that are open to all,
from the first time competitor to the veteran experienced martial artist.
Winter Cup
January 26th, 2025
The Winter Cup is a unique event where participants compete in three disciplines - forms, weapons, and creative breaking. They earn points, rather than trophies, in each discipline. After completing all three disciplines their points are added up. The competitor with the most points wins the Winter Cup.
It is held the last Sunday of January at the Albany Jewish Community Center.
Rules
- Competitors in these divisions will perform ANY Forms (patterns, kata, poomse, etc.) traditional or creative in nature.
- These forms may be a traditional forms from a style or system, devised in their entirety by the competitor, or be a traditional form in which modern aspects were added.
- In this division, the competitor may perform any movements whether they originate from traditional or contemporary martial arts systems or otherwise. However, at least half of the form should originate from martial arts techniques.
- Emphasis is placed on the quality of execution of techniques and movements, martial arts skills, balance, speed, power, degree of difficulty, and showmanship, solid stances and focus. Spinning
kicks, jump spinning kicks, flying kicks, multiple kicks, splits and other creative martial arts techniques are permitted, but not weighted more then solid basics. - Competitors should limit the techniques to only those movements that portray a definite offensive or defensive martial arts purpose, or are included to illustrate extreme flexibility or agility.
- Weapons forms will be judges based on the competitors use of the weapon, as well as standard universal principals.
- In the case of a tie, judges may use their discretion and possibly ask for a repeat performance to determine a winner.
Capital District Open
Rules
- All Forms & Weapons Events will be Judged on a 1 – 10 Scale, with 1/10 point increments. Scores from all Judges will be added together, and the highest total will win. In the case of a tie, judges may use their discretion and possibly ask for a repeat performance to determine a winner.
- Competitors in these divisions will perform ANY Forms (patterns, kata, poomse, etc.) traditional or creative in nature.
- Forms may include an array of techniques. These forms may be a traditional forms from a style or system, devised in their entirety by the competitor, or be a traditional form in which modern aspects were added.
- In this division, the competitor may perform any movements whether they originate from traditional or contemporary martial arts systems or otherwise.
- However, at least half of the form should originate from martial arts techniques.
- Emphasis is placed on the quality of execution of techniques and movements, martial arts skills, balance, speed, power, degree of difficulty, and showmanship, solid stances and focus. Spinning kicks, jump spinning kicks, flying kicks, multiple kicks, splits and other creative martial arts techniques are permitted.
- In addition, competitors should limit the techniques to only those movements that portray a definite offensive or defensive martial arts purpose, or are included to illustrate extreme flexibility or agility.
- In addition, Weapons forms will take into consideration heavily the use of the weapons, including, striking & blocking with the weapon as well as weapon manipulations.
Hudson Valley Regionals
June 8th, 2025
The Hudson Valley Regionals is the newest competition in the 518 Martial Arts circuit, Open to all styles, martial artists can compete in forms, weapons, point sparring and creative breaking.
It is held in June at the Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties.
Rules
- All Forms & Weapons Events will be Judged on a 1 – 10 Scale, with 1/10 point increments. Scores from all Judges will be added together, and the highest total will win. In the case of a tie, judges may use their discretion and possibly ask for a repeat performance to determine a winner.
- Competitors in these divisions will perform ANY Forms (patterns, kata, poomse, etc.) traditional or creative in nature.
- Forms may include an array of techniques. These forms may be a traditional forms from a style or system, devised in their entirety by the competitor, or be a traditional form in which modern aspects were added.
- In this division, the competitor may perform any movements whether they originate from traditional or contemporary martial arts systems or otherwise.
- However, at least half of the form should originate from martial arts techniques.
- Emphasis is placed on the quality of execution of techniques and movements, martial arts skills, balance, speed, power, degree of difficulty, and showmanship, solid stances and focus. Spinning kicks, jump spinning kicks, flying kicks, multiple kicks, splits and other creative martial arts techniques are permitted.
- In addition, competitors should limit the techniques to only those movements that portray a definite offensive or defensive martial arts purpose, or are included to illustrate extreme flexibility or agility.
- In addition, Weapons forms will take into consideration heavily the use of the weapons, including, striking & blocking with the weapon as well as weapon manipulations.
North East Open
August 9th, 2025
The North East Open is the premiere event in the 518 Martial Arts circuit and one of the biggest tournaments in the North East. It offers individual and team competition in traditional and creative forms, traditional and creative weapons, point sparring, creative breaking, and power breaking. All martial arts styles are welcome.
It is held the second Saturday in August at the Albany Capital Center.
Golden Eagle Challenge
September 20th, 2025
The Golden Eagle Challenge is a forms only competition. Competitors perform multiple times, each time against a different competitor. Advanced and black belt competitors must perform a different form each time. Winners of the medal rounds, compete in the champion rounds and the champions then compete for the grand championship. Grand Champions are crowned in the black belt and under black belt groups. This event is open to all martial arts styles and forms can be traditional and creative.
It is held in September at the Galway Jr/Sr High School.
Capital District Taekwondo
October 27th, 2025
The Capital District Taekwondo Tournament ofers forms, weapons, team sync forms/weapons, point sparring, olympic style sparring, and creative breaking. It is run in conjunction with the Capital District Karate Tournament.
It is held at the end of October at Gavin Park in Wilton.
Rules
Forms
- Forms will be judges on a Point Scale.
- We realize that every school does different forms at different ranks and there will be no judging based on the form performed in comparison to the rank.
- We realize that every school does the same forms a little differently and will not be judging on the exact technical accuracy of one particular school. Forms judging will be based on universal principles we all know, not the technically way each of us do a form at our own school, it is a known fact each local school does each form differently.
Weapons
- Limited Divisions (based on registration, most likely Child, Teen, Adult).
- This event is for fun.
- Any weapon, any style form, traditional, creative, extreme anything goes.
- Point system of judging.
Team Forms & Weapons
- Divisions created based on best possible similarities, not all will be perfectly definable.
- Mirroring or Cascading is allowed
- Must be Synchronized 75% of the time. (Limited Staggering or solos allowed)
- Synchronization and creativity are key additional points looked for, in addition to standard forms principles, balance, snap strength, breathing, sharpness, etc.
- Normal Point system.
Capital District Karate
October 26th, 2025
The Capital District Karate Tournament offers kata, weapons, team sinc kata/weapons, point sparring, olympic style sparring, and creative breaking. It is run in conjunction with the Capital District Taekwondo Tournament.
It is held at the end of October at Gavin Park in Wilton.
Rules
Kata
- Katas must be of a traditional karate system genre.
- Katas will be judges on a Point Scale.
- We realize that every school does different katas at different ranks and there will be no judging based on the kata performed in comparison to the rank.
- We realize that every school does the same katas a little differently and will not be judging on the exact technical accuracy of one particular school. Katas judging will be based on universal principles we all know, not the technically way each of us do a kata at our own school, it is a known fact each local school does each kata differently.
Weapons
- Weapons kata must be of a traditional karate system genre.
- Only Traditional Japanese/Okinawan weapons are permitted; bo, tonfa, eku (oar), sai, kama, swords, nunchukus. If in doubt, ask.
- Weapons kata will be judged on a Point Scale.
- Weapons kata will be judges first and foremost on the effective use and handling of the weapons for distinct offensive and defensive actions.
Team Forms & Weapons
- Divisions created based on best possible similarities, not all will be perfectly definable.
- Mirroring or Cascading is allowed
- Must be Synchronized 75% of the time. (Limited Staggering or solos allowed)
- Synchronization and creativity are key additional points looked for, in addition to standard forms principles, balance, snap strength, breathing, sharpness, etc.
- Normal Point system.