KJA Member and Parents,

Registration for our in-house Shiai on Sunday, March 3, 2019 is now available through the "Member's Portal" on them "Members Page" of www.kokushikai.com. (Paper applications are also now available at the dojo and PDF downloadable forms will be on the website). Please register by Friday, March 1 to aid with planning this event. No applications will be accepted after midnight of March 1.

Attachment: March 3, 2019 KJA Shiai (2pages).pdf (275.9kB)

Spectators associated with students may also register online when registering a competitor or pay at the door during the day of the event. ( actual charges for spectators are done after March 3.)

The ESTIMATED times for each Shiai session are as follows:
Pre-K/Pee Wee Judo Shiai (4-6 yrs): 10:00am - 11:30am
Children Judo Shiai and Jr. Newaza Shiai (7-9yrs): 11:15am - 1:30 pm
Youth Judo Shiai and Jr. Newaza Shiai (10-12yrs): 2:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Teen/Adult Judo Shiai and Sr. Newaza Shiai (13-16yrs): 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Pizza Party (All ages welcome): 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Please note that the Newaza (ground/grappling) portion of the Shiai is held within each age group session of the Judo Shiai, but participation in each require separate registrations. Regular Judo Shiai are matches that start standing and include both standing and ground techniques. Newaza Shiai are matches that start on the ground with opponents facing each other with one knee up. Players must stay on the ground and execute winning ground skills. Submissions techniques are allowed in the Teen/Senior Newaza onlyONLY.

The estimated time frames include check-in/weigh-in, warm-up, Shiai and Newaza matches, and awards presentation. Exact times may need to be adjusted according to the final number of registrants. A final e-mail will be sent to the participants late on Dec. 10 confirming registration and actual competition times for each player.

Players will be grouped in divisions of 3-4 players based on age, weight, rank and ability. If a player registers and can not be matched with appropriate opponents at the instructors discretion, registration fees will NOT be charged.

Registration and Spectator Fees are as follows:
1st Division (Shiai or Newaza): $40 (includes pizza party for competitor)
2nd and 3rd Divisions (Shiai or Newaza): $20 each
No applications accepted after midnight of March 1.
Spectator Fee: $5
Fees include Pizza party and drinks for Competitors and Spectators.
(No Charge for Volunteer Staff)

All participants will receive an award for 1st , 2nd or 3rd. In addition, to the Shiai awards, a players from each category of the Shiai will be recognized for the 2018 "Most Improved", "Fighting Spirit" and "Leadership" awards.

We aim to make a positive experience for all and recommend to those students who have not competed to try this in-house event. Students who have a desire to compete at local tournaments must start here so Sensei Matsumura and I know if a student is ready to compete elsewhere. But there is not pressure on any player to compete. If a student chooses not to compete, we highly recommend attending as a spectator to build confidence and enjoy the award presentations and join us at the pizza party.

Teens, brown and black belts members are asked to volunteer to help-out with certain assignments such as timekeeper, scorekeeper, referee, check-in etc. during the Shiai for our younger members. Please speak with Celita if you are available to volunteer.

If anyone has any difficulty registering online through the Member Portal, please notify Celita for assistance. (If you do not have a password, use your contact e-mail on file and click "forgot password" and one will be sent to your e-mail automatically. You can change once you are in the portal.)

Fundraising Raffle Baskets to support our 2019 athletes competing nationally and internationally will be displayed either prior or on the day of the Shiai. Tickets will be available for purchase at the reception desk. If anyone would like to donate gift certificates or items to the baskets for the raffle, please contact Celita or Tamara Hemingway to include your donations.

We hope that as many of you as possible will participate on any level to help make our Kokushikai Shiai a success for all!

Sincerely,
Sensei