2021 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONS & CONTENDERS
The International Sport Karate Association’s U.S. Open is one of the largest and most prestigious martial arts tournaments in the world. Competitors travel from around the globe to compete in divisions that include traditional and open forms, weapons, point fighting, self-defense and breaking. Some of those competitors will test their skills against the best of the best during the Night of Champions, while others will be inspired by the performances and train harder for next year so they might secure the crown jewel of sport karate: an ISKA world championship
This was my story. I attended the Night of Champions for the first time in 2006 when I was just 8 years old. I watched legends light up the stage, then looked at my father and told him that one day I would do the same. Seeing those champions changed my life. Looking back, I realize that I had that experience only because I was fortunate enough to watch the competition in person at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Florida.
That is precisely why I’m writing this article — to give more martial artists an opportunity to get to know the champions of today, as well as the contenders vying for their titles, so they might be inspired. Inspiration is especially important at a time like this, when the sport karate community, like many other communities, is starting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
There was a 17-month period from the 2020 Compete Nationals to the 2021 Battle of Atlanta during which no events sanctioned by the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA), which co-sanctions the U.S. Open, took place. Only time will tell whether the defending champions are still at the top of their game. New contenders also have arrived. Talented young stars have turned 18 and are ready to test themselves in the adult divisions. Competitors have risen to prominence in regional or national leagues that managed to keep their events running through the pandemic — such as ProMAC and USA Sport Karate — and are prepared to perform. Some top-tier point fighters have sharpened their skills in pay-per-view events promoted by the likes of Pro Point and the Virtual Fight Tour.
In December 2020, unveiled its official sport karate rankings inspired by the ratings of the 20th century. The defending 2019 U.S. Open world champions were selected to
