Martial arts invitational comes to Round Lake Beach

The North American KiMudo Association will host a martial arts tournament on Sunday, Oct. 2, in Round Lake Beach.

The invitation-only tournament will feature competition in sparring, empty-hand and weapons forms, and board-breaking. More than 100 participants are expected converge on the Round Lake Area Park District's Sports Center to compete against martial artists of similar age and rank.

The Sports Center is at 2004 Municipal Way Blvd., Round Lake Beach. Tickets are $5.

Competition for black belts will begin at 9 a.m. with an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. and color belt competition following the opening ceremony.

KiMudo is a martial art that blends the core disciplines of tae kwon do, hapkido, jujitsu and judo. This traditional martial art also embraces weapons training, self-defense and board-breaking. At the same time, KiMudo prioritizes character development by encouraging all students to embrace the traditional tenets of courtesy, humility, integrity, perseverance and indomitable spirit. Almost all NAKA affiliates offer classes for families.

The North American KiMudo Association LLC was formed in August 2014. NAKA is a martial arts organization formed to promote training in KiMudo.

It currently includes more than 12 affiliate schools, mostly located in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The westernmost school is the Emerald Flying Dragons in Shelton, Washington. The easternmost school is the Flying Dragons of Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. NAKA also has a school in Juneau, Alaska.