The legendary full-contact martial arts tournament World Sabaki Challenge has announced its return in 2026. This event, considered one of the oldest and most prestigious knockdown karate competitions in the USA, will take place in Denver, Colorado.

What Makes the Tournament Unique

The World Sabaki Challenge stands out for its uncompromising format: fights are conducted in full contact without protective pads or gloves. Organized by Enshin Karate headquarters under the leadership of Joko Ninomiya (founder of the Enshin style), the tournament is open to fighters of all martial arts styles.

The central philosophy of the competition is the Sabaki method—a technique that uses the opponent’s momentum for a counterattack from their blind spot. The tournament rules emphasize standup fighting, grabs, sweeps, and throws, which distinguishes it from many modern competitions.

Details of the Upcoming Event

According to the announcement, the tournament is tentatively scheduled for May 2026. The organizers from Enshin Honbu promise to provide additional information soon, emphasizing that the event is open to all experienced martial artists.

The revival of the tournament after a hiatus has generated significant interest in the international full-contact budo community. European dojos are already posting information about their preparation for participation, indicating an expected high level of competition.

Significance for Martial Arts

The World Sabaki Challenge attracts attention through its toughness and universality, providing a platform to test skills under conditions as close to real combat as possible. The tournament traditionally attracts elite fighters from various styles, including Enshin, Kyokushin, and other knockdown karate directions.

For martial arts enthusiasts around the world, this return represents a rare opportunity to witness the highest level of skill in one of the most demanding competition formats.