The Pittsburgh Karate Championships made a triumphant return last year after a nearly decade-long hiatus.

More than 300 competitors of all ages flocked to the Quality Inn in New Kensington to compete and celebrate a myriad of martial art styles and practices.

Event organizers, led by Caliguri’s Academy of Martial Arts in Lower Burrell, are excited for this year’s championships, set for a return to the Quality Inn on Saturday.

“We’ve been pretty busy making sure everything is ready,” said championships organizer Kelli Caliguri, the daughter of event founder Master Frank Caliguri, a staple in the Pittsburgh martial arts community stretching back to the early 1970s.

“Saturday is almost here.”

Kelli Caliguri said she would love to share Saturday’s competition arena with the hundreds of other competitors, but all the work and logistics of staging the large showcase of talent would make it difficult to pull double duty.

“When we go to the bigger national circuit events, I will compete, but with ours, I won’t jump in,” she said.

“But it is just great to witness everyone from the area and throughout the country come in and challenge themselves. We have 25 from (Caliguri’s Academy) competing Saturday. They are really excited. It means so much more to see the kids and others from around here take part. You see them from the youngest of ages start and improve their skills. It’s wonderful to see.”

In addition to those already registered to compete, martial artists hoping to be a part of the action and be in line for trophies and tournament points can register at the door. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and eliminations start at 10.

The competitors will test their mettle in the open tournaments featuring karate, kung fu, taekwondo and others.

Contestants from the youngest of ages (5 and under) to senior divisions (50 years and older) will be represented.

“We actually had a lot more responses this year,” Kelli Caliguri said.

“That, I think, is due to how successful last year’s tournament was. We have competitors coming in from New Mexico, New York, Tennessee, California, from everywhere. Indiana is a big supporting state. This is big for points and our ranking system as far as sanctioning bodies go. It is pretty humbling to see all the support, locally and throughout the country. The Quality Inn is pretty impressive, and we sold it out.”

Kelli Caliguri said it always is a unique dynamic when the youngest of competitors gain inspiration from watching the black belts and masters compete while the older and more experienced and accomplished competitors are able to give back with their talents on display, remembering back to when they started in their chosen martial arts style.

Masters and Grandmasters kata and weapons kick everything off at 10 followed by eliminations in self-defense and weapons kata divisions.

“We want to start in a big way with some of the best at the top so a number of the competitors can see what they are working towards,” Master Frank Caliguri said.

The tournament will continue with empty hand forms and all under-belt forms and progress into the afternoon with sparring for under-belt and black belt divisions.

There will be eight Grand Champion trophies awarded in the children and adult divisions.

All Grand Champions will be based on total points from kata, weapons, self-defense and sparring.

The Pittsburgh Karate Championships is a key point-earning event that will go to determining the Pennsylvania Karate Ratings Association state champions.

The state-champion awards and honors will be presented at the 50th annual PA Karate Championships on Nov. 10 and 11 in New Kensington.

“A lot of people are coming in this weekend from all over because it is a double-points tournament towards November and possible state titles,” Frank Caliguri said.

Spectators for Saturday’s championships will be able to purchase tickets at the door.

For more information on Saturday’s championships, contact Kelli Caliguri at kellicals@gmail.com or visit academyofmartialarts.org.

“We just strive for everyone to come, compete well, meet new friends, and just have a good time,” Kelli Caliguri said.

“That is our main goal, for everyone to enjoy themselves.”

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