MAY 16-17th 2026

Pittsburgh Power Open

May 16-17th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222).

The PITTSBURGH POWER is an “OPEN” martial arts tournament. All schools, styles, organizations and clubs are welcome to attend from karate, tae kwon do, tang soo do, kung fu, wushu, kenpo and more. Anyone who places gold 🥇 or sliver 🥈 will also be named STATE CHAMP Competition: All styles FORMS, SPARRING, and WEAPONS. #feelthepower

• Forms (kata) — solo routines demonstrating technique and precision

• Point Sparring (kumite) — controlled one-on-one fighting scored on technique and points

• Weapons — traditional martial arts weapons forms

Tournament competition forces athletes to:

• Step outside their comfort zone

• Perform under pressure

• Face unfamiliar opponents

Winning builds pride.
Losing builds resilience.
Both build real confidence.

Build Confidence

Competition teaches:

• Focus under stress

• Emotional control

• Strategic thinking

• Recovery after setbacks

Athletes learn to manage nerves, adapt mid-match, and stay composed — skills that align directly with high-performance environments.

Goal Setting & Discipline

Preparing for tournaments requires:

• Structured training cycles

• Weight management (for advanced competitors)

• Conditioning and skill refinement

• Time management

Athletes learn to set measurable goals and work daily toward them — a cornerstone of elite performance.

Character Development

Tournaments reinforce:

• Respect (bowing, etiquette, officials)

• Sportsmanship

• Accountability

• Integrity

Win with humility.
Lose with grace.
Both outcomes reveal character.

Community & Camaraderie

Tournament weekends create:

• Team bonding

• Shared victories

• Collective resilience

• Lifelong friendships

Students represent their dojo, building identity and pride.

Teaches Performance Under Pressure

Anyone can perform in practice.
Competition reveals who can execute when it matters.

Athletes learn:

• Timing

• Strategy

• Adaptability

• Reading opponents

These are advanced tactical skills that cannot be fully developed without live competition.

Provides Measurable Growth

Belts show progression.
Tournaments test it.

Competition offers objective feedback:

• Technical effectiveness

• Conditioning gaps

• Tactical awareness

• Rule-set understanding

It accelerates development.

Life Memories

Podium finishes, travel, national anthems, team jackets — these moments shape identity.

For young competitors especially, tournaments become defining milestones.

How to Win — and How to Lose

Perhaps the greatest lesson:

• Winning teaches confidence.

• Losing teaches humility, adjustment, and hunger.

Both are essential to growth.