University of Virginia Club

COVID UPDATE:
The UVA Shotokan Karate Club will hold rigorous in-person trainings for fall 2021, see Schedule.  Members can also use space in the gyms on an ad hoc basis.  Masks are required for all participants, regardless of vaccination status.

Club
The Shotokan Karate Club at UVA was founded in 1997, and we train year-round. Members include undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty of the University. The club practices traditional Japanese Shotokan karate, and fosters strength and confidence in a friendly, controlled environment.

In addition to regular training, the Shotokan Karate Club offers other activities like going out after class, movies, bowling, parties, and beach trips. We have gone kayaking and even sky-diving! We travel to optional camps and tournaments, host guest instructors, and have rank tests three times a year.
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Students learn and develop blocking and striking techniques, forms and sparring, with an emphasis on strong basic techniques and body connection. Classes include warm-up exercises, kihon (basic techniques), kumite (sparring and partner combinations), and kata (series of blocks and attacks against imaginary opponents.) The classes offer cardiovascular and strength training, and benefits include self-defense, confidence, focus, and fitness. Frequent repetition is required to progress in any study of martial arts, so students should be able to attend two classes per week.

Visit the UVA Karate Facebook page.

Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts or omissions.