The Work Made Visible

Nakata Dojo hosts the AAU Iowa District Championship. Our students showed up.

On Saturday, March 28, Nakata Dojo had the honor of hosting the AAU Iowa District Karate Championships, and our students showed up in a big way.

Seventeen competitors from our dojo stepped onto the mat and came away with 27 medals: 5 gold, 15 silver, and 7 bronze across both kata and kumite divisions. More than the hardware, though, what stood out was the way our students carried themselves. With discipline, respect, and quiet confidence.

A special congratulations to our gold medalists:

Zlatko D.: 1st Place, Kata (Boys Under 14 Beginner)

Destiny G.: 1st Place, Kata (Girls Under 12 Intermediate)

Yancye L.: 1st Place, Kata (Girls Under 14 Beginner) AND 1st Place, Kumite (Girls Under 13 Beginner)

Jace V.: 1st Place, Kumite (Boys Under 9 Beginner)

Every single one of our competitors earned at least one medal. A testament to the hours of practice and perseverance they put in week after week.

Here are the full results for Nakata Dojo:

Victor M.: Bronze (Kata) + Bronze (Kumite)

Jace V.: Silver (Kata) + Gold (Kumite)

Alan D.: Bronze (Kata) + Silver (Kumite)

Zaire S.: Silver (Kumite)

Swan T.: Silver (Kata) + Bronze (Kumite)

Xavier B.: Silver (Kata) + Silver (Kumite)

Zlatko D.: Gold (Kata)

Lucca M.: Silver (Kata) + Bronze (Kumite)

Logan G.: Bronze (Kata) + Silver (Kumite)

Juanpablo S.: Silver (Kata) + Silver (Kumite)

Jose S.: Silver (Kata)

Emina V.: Silver (Kata)

Destiny G.: Gold (Kata)

Grace W.: Silver (Kata)

Athena G.: Bronze (Kata)

Yancye L.: Gold (Kata) + Gold (Kumite)

Carson D.: Silver (Kata) + Silver (Kumite)

We are also deeply grateful to the schools who traveled to compete and helped make this event what it was. Thank you to Hutchinson Shotokan Karate Club, Shorin Ryu Minnesota, The Village Karate, Japan Karate Organization, Iowa Shotokan Karate Do, Genbu Kai Minnesota, Genbu-Kai Kansas, The Garden Dojo, and Shito-Ryu Karate Association. Your dedication to the art of Karate-Do strengthens our entire community, and we are honored to share the mat with each and every one of you.

To our students and their families: thank you for trusting us with this journey. Every early morning drop-off, every practice, every word of encouragement from the sidelines matters more than you know.

Inspired by what you see here? We are launching a brand new Foundations class starting April 13. It is designed for beginners of all ages who want to take their first steps in traditional karate. No experience needed: just a willingness to learn. Visit www.nakatadojo.com to learn more.