World Oyama American Cup Knockdown Karate Championship 
to Benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research

Birmingham, AL — One of the world’s premier martial arts championships will take place at Samford University on Saturday, May 7th. The tournament is sponsored by the World Oyama Karate Organization headed by Co-founder and Director Saiko Shihan Y. Oyama. Competitors are asking friends and family to sponsor them. All sponsorship money and other donations will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The American Cup will begin at 10:30 a.m. in Samford’s Seibert Gymnasium with kata competition and semi-knockdown events. Knockdown Championship bouts will follow. There will be light- and heavyweight knockdown divisions for men. In semi-knockdown competition, there will be divisions for children, women, men, and senior men.

Director Oyama said, “We are pleased to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. World Oyama competitors everywhere are seeking sponsors and donations  – money that will go to JDRF. The competitors and the World Oyama Karate Organization are fighting for all kids with juvenile diabetes. We want to support them and the great research team that works so hard to end this terrible disease.”

Karate styles vary greatly, but this full-contact, knockdown competition is always electrifying. The American Cup fighters compete bare-footed, bare-knuckled and without protective headgear. Because of the nature of this competition, only the world’s most highly skilled karate fighters are invited to compete for the coveted American Cup. Protective gear is allowed for men, women and children in the semi-knockdown bouts.

The internationally acclaimed American Cup draws karate competitors from many countries. Past American Cup knockdown fighters have come from Poland, Greece, England, Canada, Uruguay, Russia, Japan and the United States. The tournament, founded in 1976, was originally held in Atlanta, GA. It was relocated to Birmingham in 1997. The headquarters of the World Oyama Karate Organization, originally located in New York, NY, is now located in Birmingham.

The World Oyama Karate Organization is supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in several ways. American Cup competitors are soliciting friends, family and coworkers to sponsor their fight or kata competition. Donation checks made out to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or JDRF may be sent to World Oyama Karate at 1804 29th Avenue South, Homewood, AL 35209-2616. All sponsorship money and contribution checks will be presented to JDRF following the American Cup. Contribution can also be made online at www2.jdrf.org/goto/worldoyama.

All day tickets for the American Cup Karate Championship are $20. Call 205 879-4841 or go to www.worldoyama.com for further information about tickets, sponsorships or program ads.

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