The International Martial Arts Festival (IMAF) is the premier global gathering for martial artists of all disciplines, ages, and experience levels. Held at the world-class Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, IMAF delivers an unforgettable experience through elite-level competition, cultural exchange, and personal growth. Whether you’re here to test your skills, support your team, or connect with the martial arts community, IMAF offers a dynamic platform for learning, excellence, and inspiration.
Competitors from around the globe come together to showcase their dedication across a variety of martial arts styles. Our tournaments are professionally run, inclusive, and designed to challenge and uplift all participants—from beginners to world-class athletes. With pathways to qualification-based championships and fully open categories, IMAF is your stage to shine.
Governing Entities
Usa Sport Karate
The competition guidelines ensure fairness, consistency, and clarity across all divisions. Scoring for Weapons & Forms follows a standardized range, with strict judging criteria emphasizing technique, control, and presentation. Deductions apply for major infractions, while divisions such as Traditional, Extreme, and Creative Forms & Weapons have specific rules to maintain integrity. Sparring divisions enforce contact regulations, point scoring, and penalties to promote safe and competitive matches. Recent modifications introduce stricter coaching rules and updated equipment requirements. These standards help maintain the quality of competition while ensuring athletes are judged fairly based on skill, discipline, and performance.
WAKO - World Association of Kickboxing Organizations
The Weapons & Forms Competition Guidelines establish the essential scoring criteria, judging standards, and penalty regulations to ensure fairness and consistency across all divisions. From Traditional to Extreme and Creative categories, these rules define the permissible techniques, required elements, and scoring methodology. In sparring divisions, point allocations, contact limitations, and penalty enforcement maintain a competitive yet controlled environment. Recent modifications introduce updated equipment guidelines, coaching conduct rules, and arbitration procedures. These structured regulations uphold the integrity of the competition while providing clear expectations for athletes, referees, and coaches to ensure a fair and professional sporting experience.
AAU - Amateur Athletic Union
For over a century, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has been shaping champions and fostering athletic excellence. Since its founding in 1888, AAU has stood as a pillar of amateur sports in the U.S., dedicated to its mission of “Sports For All, Forever.” As one of the world’s largest non-profit multi-sport organizations, AAU provides competitive opportunities across 45 sports, hosting premier events like the AAU Junior Olympic Games and the AAU National Volleyball Championships. Through partnerships, community initiatives, and a commitment to athletic development, AAU continues to empower athletes of all ages to reach their highest potential.
Usa Sport Karate
The competition guidelines ensure fairness, consistency, and clarity across all divisions. Scoring for Weapons & Forms follows a standardized range, with strict judging criteria emphasizing technique, control, and presentation. Deductions apply for major infractions, while divisions such as Traditional, Extreme, and Creative Forms & Weapons have specific rules to maintain integrity. Sparring divisions enforce contact regulations, point scoring, and penalties to promote safe and competitive matches. Recent modifications introduce stricter coaching rules and updated equipment requirements. These standards help maintain the quality of competition while ensuring athletes are judged fairly based on skill, discipline, and performance.
AAU - Amateur Athletic Union
For over a century, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has been shaping champions and fostering athletic excellence. Since its founding in 1888, AAU has stood as a pillar of amateur sports in the U.S., dedicated to its mission of “Sports For All, Forever.” As one of the world’s largest non-profit multi-sport organizations, AAU provides competitive opportunities across 45 sports, hosting premier events like the AAU Junior Olympic Games and the AAU National Volleyball Championships. Through partnerships, community initiatives, and a commitment to athletic development, AAU continues to empower athletes of all ages to reach their highest potential.
Disciplines & Rules
A fully open Sport Karate tournament featuring Creative and Traditional Forms, Weapons, and both Point and Continuous Sparring. Available for ages 5 & under through 50+, across all experience levels. A premier platform for competitors to showcase speed, precision, and high-performance martial arts skills.
USA Sport Karate International Championship
A refined test of precision, technique, and mental focus. Competitors showcase mastery of traditional Japanese sword arts through Iaido Kata performance and Tatami cutting challenges. This championship honors samurai tradition while testing control, alignment, and cutting accuracy with every strike.
Tameshigiri Cutting and Iaido Kata Championship
Represent your region or school in this exciting team-based event. Showcase synchronized performance and teamwork across various disciplines to earn points and national recognition in a dynamic and professionally organized competition.
National Team Championships
Featuring ITF-specific formats, this division includes traditional Tul (forms), sparring, and technical demonstrations. A true test for ITF martial artists to demonstrate authentic style, control, and technical precision in a professionally structured championship setting.
ITF America Championship
Olympic-style Taekwondo sparring, Sport Poomsae, Traditional Forms, and Board Breaking in a sanctioned and highly respected tournament open to Taekwondo practitioners of all ages. Designed to deliver an authentic competitive experience under recognized IMAF standards.
IMAF International Olympic Style TKD Open
A premier Isshinryu Karate championship open to all ages and rank levels. Athletes compete in Kata, Kumite, and Kobudo divisions under respected IMAF regulations in a professional, structured, and family-friendly environment designed to highlight traditional technique and competitive excellence.
IMAF Isshinryu Championships
A competitive breaking event emphasizing power, precision, spirit, and technical execution. Open to all ages and belt levels, this championship allows competitors to test their limits through dramatic individual and team breaking divisions under IMAF standards.
IMAF Kokoro Breaking Championship
Dedicated to classical karate styles, this division features Kata and Kumite competition for all belts. Participants demonstrate discipline, technique, and traditional spirit in a respectful and focused championship environment.
IMAF Traditional Karate Challenge
A dynamic striking event featuring Light Contact, Kick Light, and Point Kickboxing divisions. Open to all ages and experience levels, this competition emphasizes speed, control, timing, and technical execution in a structured and safety-focused format.
Sport Kombat Light Contact, Kick Light and Point Kickboxing
A dynamic striking event featuring Light Contact, Kick Light, and Point Kickboxing divisions. Open to all ages and experience levels, this competition emphasizes speed, control, timing, and technical execution in a structured and safety-focused format.
IMAF Daytona Open Grappling Championship
An invitation-only martial arts event open to qualified US Team members. International teams must request an official invitation. Divisions include Forms & Weapons, Individual and Team Point Sparring, Grappling (Jiu-Jitsu), Breaking, Light Contact, and Kick Light—focused on skill, control, and elite-level competition.
USA State Games Invitational Championship
Registration is now open! Choose your division and secure your spot in one of the most exciting martial arts festivals in the world. All ages and experience levels are welcome.
IMAF Specially Gifted Divisions
Specially designed divisions that celebrate the achievements of specially gifted martial artists. A powerful display of heart, courage, and perseverance on the tournament floor.
Coaches Registration
Required for all coaches attending IMAF. Registration includes access credentials, coaching area privileges, and eligibility to accompany and corner athletes during competition matches.