2025 The Franco Cup

The Franco Cup, is scheduled for May 17, 2025. We are excited to announce that this year's tournament will be held at Leona Libby Middle School located at 3259 Belmont Blvd, West Richland, WA 99353.

Seminar:
3 Seminars Available
With special guest Kyle Gough
Friday May 16th:
5 - 6pm: Beginner Sai Seminar - Learn the traditional kata Kyan no Sai - perfect for those new to sai or looking to build strong fundamentals.
6:30 - 8pm: Advanced Sai Seminar - Dive into Kishaba no Sai Shou, a dynamic and challenging form for experienced practitioners.

Sunday May 18th:
10am - 12pm: Tonfa Seminar - This seminar is designed for martial artists who currently train with tonfa and want to enhance their technique, flow, and application. A great opportunity to deepen your kobudo knowledge!

**Important Details:**
Saturday May 16th
Doors Open:8:00 AM
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 16, 2024, at midnight.
Please note that there will be NO REGISTRATION AT THE DOOR.

**Schedule:**
8:00 AM - Doors open
8:00 AM - 11:30 AM** - Pre-registration check-in for Under Black Belt
8:30 AM - Judges/Coaches meeting
9:00 AM - Black Belt divisions begin
11:30 AM - Under Black Belt and Youth divisions begin

**Please Verify Your Registration Details:**
You must verify your registration information. Ensure the participant's birthday and rank are correctly entered as these will determine the competition divisions. Changes to division placement on the day of the tournament will be limited, if possible at all.

**Weapons Divisions:**
Dedicated Weapons Divisions - Show your skills with new and exciting challenges, long and short for black belts.
Split Women’s and Men’s Kumite Grand Champion Divisions - Compete in categories tailored to showcase the best in each group.

**Spectator Information:**
Fee: $5 for ages 7 and older, free for ages 6 and under.

**Safety Protocol:**
This is a non-contact tournament. All competitors are required to wear the necessary protective gear, including gloves, helmets, mouth guards, and groin protection (for males). Additional equipment may be allowed subject to the chief referee’s approval.

**Inclusive Categories:**
• Group A: Competitors have full mobility of arms and legs (competitors can kick above the waist and extend arms fully for hand techniques) or have a higher level of cognitive skills. Competitors perform patterns with assistance from the instructor/coach. Instructor/Coach assists from outside the ring.
• Group B: Competitors have limited mobility of arms and/or legs (do not kick above the waist, do not extend arms fully for hand techniques) or have a lower level of cognitive skills. Competitors perform basic skills such as blocking, striking, and kicking techniques with direction from an instructor/ coach. The instructor/coach may be in the ring with the competitor and perform technique/form alongside of the competitor.
• Group C: Competitors compete in wheelchairs. Competitor performs techniques/ forms on their own.

**Division Scoring:**
Kobudo = Scorecard (1st, 2nd, 3rd place Awards)
Kata 29 and under = Flag (1st, 2nd, 3rd place Awards)
Kata 30 + = Scorecard (1st, 2nd, 3rd place Awards)
Kumite (Sparring) = Single Elimination - (Double 3rds)

**Rank Description/Key:**
Beginner = 0 - 1 yr experience
Novice = 1 - 2 yr experience
Intermediate = 2 - 4 yr experience
Advanced = Black Belt
*Divisions may be combined to make sure there is competition in the divisions.
*Kata and Kobudo may have male and female genders combined in addition to rank and age.

**Awards:**
Competitors can look forward to winning beautifully crafted 3D die-cast medals across all divisions. Special awards will be given to the Most Supportive School, Grand Champion Kata & Kumite, and Jr. Grand Champion Kata & Kumite.

**Dining and Leisure in Richland:**
Enjoy a variety of dining options and unwind with a stroll through Howard Amon Park after the tournament.

For more details on rules and registration, please visit our [tournament website](https://www.tmaakarate.com/tournaments).

**Contact Us:**
For any questions, feel free to reach out at:
- senseimikefranco@gmail.com
- thefrancocup@gmail.com
- nwtournament.info@gmail.com

Thank you for your participation, and we look forward to seeing you shine at the Franco Cup!

Warm regards,
Shihan Mike Franco