2026 Franco Cup

The Franco Cup, is scheduled for May 16, 2026. We are excited to announce that this year's tournament will be held at Carmichael Middle School located at 620 Thayer Dr, Richland, WA 99352.

**Important Details:**
Saturday May 16th, 2026
Doors Open:8:00 AM

Registration Deadline:
Pre-Registration: Closes May 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Best Value)
Late Registration: May 14, 2026
No On Sight Registration: To help expedite tournament schedule and help it run smoothly we ask that all registration be completed prior to the day of tournament. Registration on day of tournament will be subject to an additional $30.00 administrative fee.

Tournament Schedule
8:00 AM – Doors Open
9:00 AM - Referee/Coaches Meeting (Required to get coaches pass)
9:30 AM –Adult & Senior Black Belt Divisions Begin
10:30 AM – Jr Black Belt Divisions & youth divisions will begin with ring availability at 10:30am.

ALL REFEREE & JUDGES
While on the competition floor, all Referee/Judge must
1. Wear a complete karate uniform, with a tournament Hoari (vest)
   • School patches are allowed
   • Any color gi is allowed
2. Official AAU referee attire
   • Grey slacks
   • Blue blazer & white dress shirt
   • AAU tie if possible
   • Black non-marking shoes with black socks
3. Have an official Referee/judges lanyard

ALL COACHES
While on the competition floor, all Coaches must
1. Wear acceptable coaching attire
   • Track suit with team logo
   • Gi pants with jacket or shirt with team logo
   • Coaches lanyard
2. Have completed the online registration form.
3. Have attended the coaches meeting.
4. Paid all coaches fees.
5. Have an official coaches lanyard.

Schedule is subject to adjustment based on participation numbers.

Registration Verification (Required)
All competitors must verify that their date of birth and rank are entered correctly during registration. Division placement is determined by this information.
Any division changes requested on the day of the event will incur a $30.00 administrative fee.

**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 34 and under = Flag (1st, 2nd, 3rd place Awards)
Kata 35 + = 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