Eastern Regional Karate Championships (ERKC) | Tompkins Karate Association

General Info

The ERKC has been one of the largest martial arts tournaments in the region for over 50 years now. It’s a great chance for students to safely compete against students from both TKA and outside schools/styles. Students can compete in forms, sparring, weapons, one-step sparring, and breaking.

TKA students must compete in at least one ERKC prior to testing for brown belt.

The next ERKC will be in April of next year, so keep checking for updates

Registration

Registration for individuals must be done online. The cost is $55 for one or more events; $5 for all spectators, and $10 for 2 or more spectators. Bring the whole family! There is a $5 discount for any competitor who registers before April 27th. Groups of 5 or more from the same school will be eligible to receive a $5 discount code if they contact us directly. Click here for information on group registration.

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Divisions

We have plenty of divisions for you to compete in that span from White Belt to Black, all ages and weight classes for fighting. Figure out which is right for you by clicking on the button below!

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Rules

Some of the events have different rules so make sure you familiarize yourself and school before you compete. If you have any questions, make sure you email us at info@tkasudo.com.

Kumite

Matches will be two minutes or two points. All techniques are worth one point.
Protective mouth guard, head, foot & hand gear (dipped foam only) required. Foot gear must extend and cover the toe area. Hand gear must cover the knuckle area.
Matches are NO contact to the head, controlled touch to the body. Contact is not required to score. Headgear is considered part of the head.
Competitors may compete in any division for which they meet the requirements.
Faceguards attached to head gear are not permitted.
Axe kicks and panic chops are not permitted.
Sweeps of the supporting leg are not permitted.
The groin is not a legal target.
Kicks and gi pants may not be trapped or grabbed.
Judges must agree on which specific technique is being scored.

Kumite in Brown and Black Belt Divisions

All rules above apply (Kumite) with these exceptions:

Matches are three points or two minutes. Head kicks are worth two points.
Simultaneous exchange of a head kick and other technique will result in one point being awarded to the head kicker.
Controlled touch is allowed to any legal target except the face.

Kata

Competitors may compete at only one belt level.
Order of performance is determined randomly, not by registration order.
Ties will be broken by adding the high and low scores to the total. If there is still a tie, competitors will perform again.
Music is not allowed.

One-Step Sparring

Competitors are to demonstrate defenses against an opponent delivering a single technique with two steps.
Strikes, take-downs, throws, chokes, and locks are allowed. Weapons are not allowed for either attacker or defender.
Each competitor has a total of 2 minutes to complete their set from the time the competitor is called.
Only the defender will compete and receive a trophy. However, mistakes by the attacker will affect the defender's score.

Breaking

Each competitor has a total of 5 minutes (including set up, performance, and clean up) before they get their scores. Immediate disqualification for going over the time.
Boards and cinder slabs only (any other materials must be approved by the head judge prior to the start of the competition.)
Competitors are responsible for their own holders.
Competitors are responsible for supplying all materials including supports.
Competitors are responsible for cleaning up.

Judges & Ring Directors

Please complete this interest form to let us know how you want to support our event!

ERKC ring directors, judges, and volunteers can find the two training videos at the following links:
https://forms.gle/XvGjv8gbLG26zm3u7
https://forms.gle/91Dhk6wnqKr4qxxz6

Eastern Regional Karate Championship