40th EUROPEAN SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO CHAMPIONSHIPS

We are very happy to invite you to the 2026 ESKA championships which represents the 40th anniversary of the foundation of ESKA. This championship will be hosted by JKA Shotokan Federation of Serbia in the city of Niš. This city has a historical significance which puts our heritage of 40 years into perspective. It is believed to have been founded over two thousand years ago and was the birthplace of several Roman Emperors.

We have enjoyed the hospitality of our hosts in Serbia on two previous occasions and the event was based in Niš in 2018. We very much look forward to renewing our appreciation of traditional Serbian Hospitality.

Thank you to Mr Marko Tomic and the organizing committee of JKA Shotokan Federation of Serbia for all their hard work in staging these championships.

We look forward to welcoming member delegations along with their competitors, officials and spectators to Niš. On several occasions over the past 40 years we have been priviledged to witness some very talented karateka who have become grand champions by winning both individual kata and kumite categories. As part of our 40th Anniversary celebrations we have commissioned a special trophy and cash award for future grand champions.

Every year at these championships we are privileged to witness the most outstanding examples of traditional Shotokan karate from the many countries comprising ESKA. We expect the same in 2026.

Our championships are characterised by the fiercely competitive nature of matches on the tatami and the high value placed on mutual respect and standards of etiquette. Once more we look forward to an exciting event which will bring to Niš the very best of traditional European Shotokan karate.

ESKA home

The European Shotokan Karate-do Association was founded in 1986 in Ghent, Belgium at the request of the member countries of the former European Amateur Karate Federation. ESKA is a fully democratic, non-political organization formed to foster and develop traditional Shotokan competition around Europe. ESKA championships are held every year at the end of November or beginning of December.

The future schedule of championship

2026 - Almerin, Portugal - 12th September
Information you will find at EUROPEAN SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO ASSOCIATION

We look forward to seeing you.