Time for some kicks: National Karate Championships is here

The man known “as the best kicker in the world” will be in Warwick this weekend.

In fact, Zsolt Moradi from Hungary is no stranger to Warwick or the Don Rodrigues whose karate academy bearing his name will present the 37th Annual Ocean State Grand National Karate Championships at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Rodrigues has known the 29-year old Moradi, considered to be one of the biggest stars in Sport Karate, for years. Moradi is vying to capture the Men’s Heavy Weight Grand Championship for the third consecutive year.

And, as it turns out, Rodrigues personally knows many of the more than 1,000 competitors coming from across the globe for the grand nationals, one of 12 competitions sanctioned by the North American Sport Karate Association. Competitors will be coming from South Africa, Guatemala, Venezuela, Italy, Germany, Canada, Croatia, Russia, Peru, England, Bella Russia, Poland and Mexico to name a few.

Competitors from other countries have also sought to be here, but Rodrigues is careful.

“If I don’t know who they are I don’t bring them in,” he said. He pointed out, “once they are here, I don’t know where they are going to go.”

Staging the competition is no small feat. Rodrigues said it takes $100,000 to stage the event. Of the total, $20,000 is for prize money while an equal sum is spent on trophies that stand seven feet high. The event also receives a broad base of support from John Paul Mitchell Haircare Systems, the city’s division of tourism and economic development, Ocean State Collision, Macho Martial Arts and the Crowne Plaza.

Rodrigues said year after year they manage to come up with the funding although he can’t pinpoint why he does the tournament.

“It’s just something we do every year,” he said. “We hate doing it when we’re doing it, but we love to have done it,” he said.

Pulling the event all together involves about 150 volunteers, he said.

Spectators are welcome all three days of the championships, but Rodrigues recommended Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. in particular when the best performers of the day events vie for the championships.

“It’s a show. They’re going to see the best martial arts in the country,” he said. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door.

Now 62 years old, Rodrigues said he has been involved in the martial arts for 50 years. He got his start with the late Nick Cerio.

As for the competitors, Rodrigues said they range in age from 3 to 70.

On Saturday the Ocean State Grant Nationals will also induct members to its hall of fame. One of the inductees this year is Col. Ann Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police. A 5th Degree Black Belt, Assumpico has been named Ocean State Grand National Champion several times.