United States National Karate Association
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The United States National Karate-do Association (USNKA) is one of the oldest martial arts organizations in the USA.[citation needed] Founded in 1961 by Jim Mather, it has long been committed to the advancement and preservation of true Japanese/Okinawan Karate-do and in maintaining the traditional goals and values of this art.
The USNKA recognizes those martial artists who have achieved the absolute highest possible levels of skill and knowledge within their art and/or made major contributions to the betterment of our arts by issuing what many feel is the most prestigious title a martial artist can receive – that of Living Martial Arts Treasure. Recipients also serve as Senior Advisors to the USNKA. Those who have received this high award to date are WKF (formerly WUKO) President Jacques Delcourt, Takayuki Kubota, Richard Kim , Tatsuo Suzuki, Sig Kufferath, Zenpo Shimabukuro, and Rob Zwartjes.
[edit] Certification, Titles, & Positions
One of the USNKA’s primary focuses is the creation of unique educational opportunities for martial artists of divergent arts and styles. These opportunities include the education and certification of qualified instructors, coaches, and tournament officials and the issuance of appropriate certification, positions, and titles.
The USNKA awards the traditional instructor titles of Shihan, Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi to those who reach exceptionally high levels as instructors.
The USNKA also trains and certifies State, Regional, Coastal, and National Coaches in Kata, Kumite, and Kobudo. These men and women are charged with training and leading official USNKA teams into national and international competition. The organization also trains and certifies several levels of tournament officials in Kata, Kumite, and Kobudo.
