- George Chung
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 7
The sport karate scene in 2024 has been nothing short of thrilling, with groundbreaking achievements, game-changing moves, and plenty of high-stakes action.
From historic career milestones to major team changes and jaw-dropping victories, the year has seen sport karate athletes push the limits of what’s possible in competition. Let’s take a look back at a handful of the big stories and moments that made 2024 a standout year.
1. NASKA's Rule Changes and Quebec Open News
In a significant announcement for 2025, NASKA confirmed that forms and weapons competitions at the Quebec Open will be fully sanctioned, but sparring will not be. This means that while athletes can earn NASKA points in forms and weapons, sparring divisions will follow a different set of rules and not contribute to the overall rankings.
This decision, announced just before the 2024 holiday season, promises to spark ongoing discussions as we enter the 2025 season.
For a full look at the rules for 2025, you can visit naska.com
2. Luca Ricotti Makes History
In an impressive display of skill and poise, Luca Ricotti of Team DMND G3 became the youngest athlete to win the Adult Traditional Forms Overall Grand Championship at the Quebec Open. His victory was a testament to his incredible talent and set the stage for a bright future in sport karate.
3. Big Money at the Battle of the Martial Arts
The Battle of the Martial Arts delivered an unforgettable night for athletes as Diego Rodriguez Florez, Paola Fonseca, and Bailey Murphy all walked away with $15,000 after clinching their respective grand championships.
Rodriguez Florez, who claimed both the Adult Forms and Weapons Grand Championships, shared his gratitude for the opportunity, reminding everyone that “it’s not about winning, it’s about showing up and giving it everything you’ve got.”
For more insight into how this tournament is bringing back the old school karate tournament scene, be sure to check out our article!
4. Record-Setting Achievements at the Diamond Nationals
The Diamond Nationals lived up to its reputation with incredible performances from some of sport karate's top stars. Sammy Smith tied the record for the most Diamond Rings ever won, capturing her eighth ring before announcing her retirement.
In a dramatic moment, Jake Presley set a new record by winning four consecutive traditional weapons rings.
Meanwhile, Enrique Letona stunned the crowd by scoring 7 points in the final minute of his lightweight sparring final to secure his first-ever Diamond Ring.
5. A Historic Move: Team Paul Mitchell Signs Enrique Letona
In one of the year’s most talked-about moves, Enrique Letona, one of the top lightweight point fighters globally, joined Team Paul Mitchell in a blockbuster acquisition.
His incredible kicking abilities and fierce competitive spirit made him an ideal fit for the team, with coach Damon Gilbert calling him “the missing piece” to their fighting squad.
6. Tyson Wray Signs with Fighters Inc.
The standout lightweight point fighter of Team Next Level, Tyson Wray, signed an exciting new deal with Fighters Inc. and Top Ten, taking his talents to the next level. Known for his explosive kicks and strategic game, Wray’s move promises to bolster his already impressive career.
7. Karate Combat's Ross Levine Calls It a Career
One of the greatest sport karate athletes of all time, Ross Levine, announced his retirement after defending his Karate Combat Middleweight Championship at KC46.
Levine’s knockout victory over Adrian Hadribeaj solidified his legacy, as he transitions from competition to a new phase in his life. His career was marked by groundbreaking performances in both sport karate and professional kickboxing, including a Glory Kickboxing Knockout of the Year in 2019.
8. The Rise of Sport Karate Media: Sport Karate Zone Launch
In an exciting development for the sport, Sport Karate Zone (SKZ) was launched by Jackson and Gabrielle Rudolph, bringing much-needed media coverage to the sport.
The platform aims to showcase the incredible talent in sport karate through interviews, event coverage, and podcasts, including "Kick Chicks", hosted by world champions Gabrielle Rudolph and Sammy Smith.
This new venture promises to bring the sport to a wider audience and shine a spotlight on the athletes who have dedicated their lives to it.
9. Record-Breaking Performances and Career Milestones
Throughout the year, athletes continued to break records and achieve career-defining moments. Some of the noteworthy moments include:
Kaitlyn Vong of Team CBR made history by becoming the first athlete to win forms, weapons, and sparring overall grand championships under the current format at the Cowboy Up Martial Arts Championships
Kevin Walker had a dramatic comeback at the Cowboy Up Martial Arts Championships after overcoming a 10-4 deficit to win the lightweight grand championship.
Bailey Murphy and Francesca Ceci dominated the Hungarian Kickboxing World Cup, taking home open weight grand championships.
10. New Team Changes and Athlete Signings
2024 also saw a series of strategic team changes that are sure to impact the competitive landscape in the coming years. Notably:
Team Paul Mitchell made a splash by signing Phillip Brumme, the reigning ISKA Men’s CMX Forms Champion from Team Competitive Edge, to bolster their already stellar forms roster.
Team Revolution signed Shaquan Parson, a renowned extreme forms competitor known for his tricking skills, adding depth to their roster ahead of the Diamond Nationals.
Team ATL signed highly decorated point fighter Ryan George, known for his impressive career in NBL, NASKA, and Pro Point.
Conclusion: An Unforgettable Year for Sport Karate
As we look back at the 2024 sport karate season, it's clear that this was a year of significant growth and evolution for the sport. From record-breaking performances and career-defining moments to exciting team changes and the launch of new media coverage, sport karate continues to rise in prominence.
With all the excitement and talent on display, 2025 promises to be another year full of incredible performances, fierce competition, and a bright future for sport karate.
