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Who We Are

The AAKF is an established non-profit organization with the mission to benefit the physical and mental health of its members through development of Traditional Karate (also known as Shotokan Karate). For more than 40 years, the AAKF has been:

  • Developing the technical skill level of coaches, officials, and judges.
  • Setting guidelines and sanctions for local, regional, and national Traditional Karate events.
  • Sponsoring the USA Team annually to participate in international tournaments.
  • Serving as the USA representative to the World Traditional Karate-do Federation (WTKF) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

AAKF was founded in 1979 by Master Hidetaka Nishiyama. The organization is a National Traditional Karate governing body in the United States and operates as a nationwide tax-exempt organization established under the U.S. Act of 1979 sanctioning sports governing bodies.

Our Story

Our story is one of tradition and evolution....

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What is Traditional Karate?

As its most basic description, Traditional Karate....

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Instructors

Our instructors are dedicated male and female practitioners....

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Events

We are also very proud to annually support a USA Traditional Karate Team composed of adult and youth national champions to compete at Pan American or World Championship events.

Feedback from Our Clients

  • “AAKF has provided more than just karate training to my son. Over the last 10 years, he has gained a second family, mentorship, and a deep dive into the discipline of karate. The organization has offered a nurturing environment where our son has grown as an athlete and as a person. The experiences and values he has gained from instructors and fellow athletes are ingrained in him and continue to influence his approach to life and challenges. From opportunities to travel/compete across the US, 3 continents, and 6 countries, to the friendships we have watched him forge, our son has learned values of respect, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.

    As parents, we are immensely grateful for the role AAKF has played in our son’s life, providing him with a robust foundation in both the art and personal development.”

    - Mr. and Mrs. Kotamraju

  • “Having trained for almost 30 years in Shotokan karate I can say that the physical and mental benefits are numerous from increased strength to maintenance of good posture to improved confidence.  Feeling good physically and mentally keeps me coming back.  Basic training, kata, and kumite helps improve your mobility, flexibility, coordination, and response reflexes. Our students train year long to be able to compete at a National and International level. We teach our students to deliver punches and kicks that have power but are controlled so when they compete they come away for the most part injury free. As a medical judge an injury free tournament is a successful competition.” 

    - Donna Lee, MD

  • “AAKF is a great organization. It provides its members with opportunities to learn from amazing, highly experienced teachers. There are also seminars and tournaments where we can train and test ourselves with traditional karate practitioners from across the country and the globe.”

    - Bryan Hays

  • “I have been Karate training for nearly 40 years. Karate has pushed me beyond my limits and has been a constant in my life. The discipline which is a central component of it helps me to be the best I can be in other aspects of my life. My Karate training has been there when I have been at my busiest and helped to keep me focused and grounded. I believe my training helps balance my busy life, keeps me strong, and feeling young.”

    - Lynne Emanuel