News & Events

IMA Karate-ka heading to Pan-American (Brazil) & World Championships (Malaysia)

As you all are aware, the IMA Competition Team did a wonderful job at the USA National Karate championship and team trails in early July. The result of hard work and dedication of our team brought victory to their competition and now Michael Ford and Kamran Madani are eligible to represent United States Karate team in the upcoming Pan American Championships to be held Sept. 1-3, 2011 in Brazil as well as the World Karate Championship in Malaysia on Oct. 13-16, 2011.

The average cost of each trip for each one of these young athletes is about $3,000.00.
Once again, we are turning to our Dojo family to help them raise as much as possible so they are able to afford this trip and compete in these prestigious competitions. We are organizing several fund raising events that requires everyone’s support. Here is a summary of these events:

  1. We have made a special “Strong Karate” bracelet that is for sale at the front desk for following prices: 1 for $3.00 or 4 for $10.00.
  2. A garage sale is scheduled for Saturday, August 20th at the Dojo. Your donation of gently used household items and clothing, toys, games, tools, small appliances & electronics, housewares, and all sort of accessories are in need. Please drop all items at any time before Saturday to the basement of the Dojo.
  3. We have gift certificates and tokens from local restaurants that are for sale for the listed price or for the best offer. Please see Mrs. Madani for details.
  4. The competition team is selling butter braid dough for another week. You can store the frozen dough for 6 months or give them as a gift to your friends and relatives. The cost of each dough is $12.00 and we have several varieties to choose from.
  5. As always, your cash donations will be greatly appreciated. Please make your check payable to “IMA competition team” and remember that your donation is tax deductible.

Thank you for all your help and support. We all know this is not the best time for our economy and we look forward to see Michael and Kamran coming back home with bright medals around their neck to prove that they deserved all the support from their big IMA family.

17th Annual Rocky Mountain Gasshuku

The International Martial Arts Association would like to invite you and your students to our exciting and memorable 17th Annual Gasshuku (Karate Summer Camp) the weekend of September 23-25, 2011 in Keystone, Colorado.

2009 Rocky Mountain Gasshuku in Keystone, Colorado
Gasshuku is a traditional retreat designed to allow a Karate-ka to focus on karate without the daily distractions that interrupt the learning process. By participating in this camp, you will learn many skills and form a better understanding of Martial Arts. This year’s theme is “Tradition in Karate” and will be extra-special as I.M.A. continues celebrating our 20th anniversary!

Training will be held in four separate training areas with guest instructor/s and students will be separated into four levels based on age and belt status. Please refer to the training schedule for specific levels and training times.

This camp is open to all martial arts students, coaches, and instructors who wish to learn traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate as well as sport Karate.

Please feel free to call 303-665-0339 or contact us with your questions.

Please download our information packet and mail your applications to: 1340 Main Street Louisville, CO. 80027, USA before September 15th 2011.

American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks Will Perform At Rocky Mountain States Games Opening Ceremony

Taylor Hicks, a favorite son of Alabama whose singing earned him the Season Five American Idol crown, will be the featured performer at the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 Rocky Mountain State Games on July 29 at 7:00 p.m.

Past celebrity athletes lighting the torch include Olympians Steve Holcomb (bobsled), Rulon Gardner (wrestling), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), Apolo Ohno (short track speedskating), Derek Parra (speedskating) and Henry Cejudo (wrestling).

Athletes may still register to compete and get full details at: www.coloradospringssports.org.

The deadline for registration for the karate competition is July 27,2011. Don’t miss the opportunity of marching in the opening ceremony at the world arena center, meeting the Olympians and being a part of Olympic sports in our state.

I.M.A. at the USA Karate National Championship


I.M.A. Honbu dojo was represented with 6 athletes at the 2011 USA Karate National Championship and Team Trial. Since the end of the school year, Michael Ford, Jax Martinelli, Kamran Madani, Jacob Peters, Lily Martinelli and Kelara Madani spent many extra days at the dojo and trained to prepare themselves for this intense competition.

The outstanding performance by each one of them resulted of placing in the USA Team for the upcoming Jr. Pan American championship in Brazil and World championship in Malaysia. Michael Ford placed gold medal in 18-20 years old -68kg, Jacob Peters placed bronze medal in 12-13 years old -35kg, Jax Martinelli placed silver medal in 16-17 years old elite Kata competition and Kamran Madani placed gold medal in 14-15 years old -70kg. Kelara and Lily did a wonderful job in their division but their age category did not allow them to be eligible to place for the USA team trial.

An unfortunate incident in the kumite matches made Jax forfeit his match. In the semi final, during a take down exchange with another fighter, Jax Martinelli broke his leg bone and could not continue his match. We are very proud of his and everyone’s performance and wish Jax a speedy recovery.

Our congratulations go to all members of our national team who did a fantastic job!

IMA Karate Louisville
1340 Main St.
Louisville, CO 80027
(303) 665-0339

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