Kyokushin Karate USA Dojo

🥋 ROAD TO THE 34th AIKC
USA IFK 🇺🇸

MORE THAN A TOURNAMENT — A PIECE OF KYOKUSHIN HISTORY

For more than three decades, karateka have traveled to Rochester, New York and the surrounding area to take part in the American International Karate Championships.

Founded and hosted by Shihan Michael Monaco, the AIKC has grown from its early years into one of the longest-running Kyokushin tournaments in the United States.

Its history includes some remarkable chapters.

In 1992, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama came to Rochester as Guest of Honor at the AIKC—one of his final visits to the United States.

In 1998, Hanshi Steve Arneil was hosted in Rochester for the American International Karate Championships, adding another important name in Kyokushin history to the tournament’s story.

And then there were the Riverside Convention Center years—years when competitors, instructors, families and spectators filled the downtown Rochester venue for kata, weapons, semi-contact and the unmistakable intensity of Kyokushin Knockdown. The 24th AIKC was still being held at Riverside in 2014.

Over the years, competitors have come from throughout the United States, Canada and countries around the world.

Different generations.
Different dojos.
Different countries.
Different venues.

But the tradition continued.

And now, in 2026, we prepare for the 34th American International Karate Championships.

Some competitors stepping onto the floor this year will have competed at AIKC many times before.

For others, it will be their very first.

Either way, when you bow onto that floor, you become another small part of a history that has been more than three decades in the making.

🥋 34th American International Karate Championships

The history is already there.
Now it is your turn to become part of it.

Uskyokushin.com
Register here.
Sign up before September 8th to receive a discount.
Look 👀 under events

Osu!

USA-IFK Kyokushin Karate | Traditional Full-Contact Karate | USA-IFK Kyokushin Karate Learn about USA-IFK Kyokushin, the official U.S. branch of the International Federation of Karate. USA-IFK Kyokushin promotes the full-contact karate style founded by Mas Oyama.

Don’t forget to register before the 8th to get the early discount for the 34th AIKC tournament
Uskyokushin.com

If you only compete where you are comfortable — against the same people, under the same rules, in the same environment — you limit your own growth.

Tournaments are part of your education, your journey, your experience — and ultimately, your story.

Support your local events. Travel when you can. Enter open tournaments. Compete outside your own organization. Face different styles, different judging, different timing, and different pressure.

That is where growth happens.

You may win.
You may lose.
You may get pushed beyond your comfort zone.
You may surprise yourself.

Every experience teaches you something.

A trophy 🏆 sits on a shelf.

Experience stays with you — the good and the bad.
Both teach you.
Both help you grow.

Real confidence is not built by always knowing what to expect. It is built by stepping onto an unfamiliar floor, facing an unfamiliar opponent, and discovering that you can adapt.

Test your karate.

Watch and Learn from other organizations and styles.

Respect different approaches.

Bring that knowledge back to your dojo.

Because if your karate only works in one room, under one set of rules, against one familiar group of people, then it has never truly been tested.

Train hard. Travel. Compete often. Learn. Grow.
Not every correction is criticism.
Don’t mistake a lesson as an insult
(One of my favorite lines)

It’s not always about the win.

It’s always about the experience.

Osu!

Registration is now open
The USA 🇺🇸 IFK Kyokushin Presents ~
34th American International
Karate Championships
October 24th 2026

Uskyokushin.com
Look under events. 👀

Go ahead, check us out.
We have a special discount if you register early!!

Hope to see YOU there!

Osu!

uskyokushi.com

The USA-IFK is proud to announce that registration is officially OPEN for the 34th American International Karate Championships! 🥋

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Albion High School — Albion, New York

For more than three decades, the AIKC has brought martial artists together for outstanding competition, friendship, sportsmanship, and the spirit of Kyokushin. Now entering its 34th year, we are excited to once again welcome competitors from across the United States, Canada, and beyond.

The tournament is open to all styles and organizations. Whether this is your first time stepping onto the tournament floor or you are a seasoned competitor, the AIKC is an opportunity to challenge yourself, represent your dojo, gain experience, and share the day with fellow martial artists who have the same passion for Budo.

Competition divisions include:

🥋 Knockdown Kumite
🥊 Semi-Contact Kumite
👊 Open Hand Kata
⚔️ Weapons Kata
🏆 Junior & Adult Divisions

The 34th AIKC is hosted by Shihan Mike Monaco, 8th Dan, and co-promoted by Shihan Karl Biedlingmaier, 5th Dan.

Different dojos. Different organizations. Different styles. One tournament floor.

Come compete. Come challenge yourself. Come be part of a tradition that has continued for 34 years.

Registration is now available through Smoothcomp, with additional tournament information available on the USA-IFK Events Page.

We look forward to seeing everyone in Albion!

Train hard.
Prepare well.
Bring your best.

Osu!

Visit

Uskyokushin.com
Go to events for registration!

Sensei Joe Diliberto,

We are so very sorry for the loss of your mother. There are simply no words that can take away the pain of losing someone who has been such an important part of your life.

Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and hearts during this difficult time. The friendship and bond you and Shihan Monaco have shared over so many years makes your loss felt deeply within our Kyokushin family as well.

May the memories of your mother, the love she gave, and the life she shared with all of you bring comfort in the days ahead.

With our deepest sympathy, love, and respect.

Shihan Monaco
Shihan Stokelin
USA IFK

Obituary of Maria G. Diliberto | Falvo Funeral Home Maria G. Diliberto Spencerport: August 6, 2026. Predeceased by her husband Peter, her parents, Charles and Providenza Trapani and siblings: Salvatore, Antonio, Vincenzo, and Joseph Trapani, Carolina Lubberts, and Michela DiRisio. Survived by her sons Joseph and Carl Diliberto, daughter Marisa Dilibe...