Business Details
45 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Martial Arts Tournament Sanctioning & Competition
Founded in 1981, the USA Intl Martial Arts (IMAC) has established itself as the oldest and most respected martial arts tournament sanctioning organization in the world. Our mission is to restore fairness and integrity to competitive karate by eliminating political bias and ensuring unbiased scoring for all competitors. With decades of combined experience from our leadership team, including founder Grand Master Stan Witz who began his martial arts journey at age 14, we have developed a comprehensive system that rates competitors from every organization while maintaining free membership for athletes. Our network of certified instructors spans multiple martial arts disciplines, united by a commitment to quality instruction and fair competition.Through our annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas and comprehensive rulebook, we provide a standardized framework that elevates the sport and protects competitors' rights. Our unique approach allows athletes to compete across organizations without restriction, ensuring that IMAC Champions are recognized as true world champions. We maintain strict safety standards for equipment and competition practices while continuously evolving our regulations to meet the needs of modern martial artists.
Services
Tournament Sanctioning
Awards Ceremony
Rulebook Development
Competitor Ratings
Instructor Certification
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- We offer free competitor membership and rate athletes from all organizations
- Our network includes certified instructors from diverse martial arts disciplines
- We maintain standardized rules adopted by tournaments worldwide
- Our annual Las Vegas awards ceremony recognizes global martial arts excellence
- We pioneered unbiased scoring systems for fair competition across organizations
Services
Tournament Sanctioning
IMAC provides official sanctioning for martial arts tournaments worldwide. Our comprehensive oversight ensures standardized rules, fair judging, and safety compliance across all events. Competitors benefit from our impartial rating system that recognizes achievements across multiple organizations while maintaining strict quality control standards for tournament operations.
Awards Ceremony
Our annual Las Vegas awards ceremony honors top martial artists from around the globe. Free awards are presented to qualified competitors who demonstrate exceptional skill and dedication. The event serves as a unifying celebration of martial arts excellence, bringing together athletes from diverse disciplines for recognition and networking.
Rulebook Development
IMAC maintains an industry-leading rulebook adopted by tournaments worldwide. Our comprehensive guidelines ensure consistent judging criteria and safety protocols across all competitions. The evolving standards address modern martial arts practices while preserving traditional values, creating a fair environment for all participants.
Competitor Ratings
We offer a unique rating system that evaluates competitors across multiple organizations. This impartial assessment helps athletes track progress, compare skills with peers, and qualify for championship recognition. Ratings consider technical proficiency, sportsmanship, and competitive achievements in various martial arts disciplines.
Instructor Certification
IMAC certifies qualified instructors through rigorous evaluation of technical expertise and teaching methodology. Our network connects students with reputable schools worldwide while maintaining high educational standards. Certified instructors gain access to professional resources and event participation opportunities.
People
Grand Master Stan Witz
Founder
With over 50 years of martial arts experience, Grand Master Stan Witz established IMAC in 1981 to promote fair competition. He developed the Universal System of America (Uchu Do) and created the Women Against Rape (WAR) organization in 1982.
Questions
What makes IMAC different from other martial arts organizations?
IMAC uniquely combines free competitor membership with cross-organization recognition, allowing athletes to compete without restrictions while maintaining standardized judging criteria.
How do I qualify for IMAC awards?
Compete in any recognized tournament during the year to qualify for free IMAC awards presented annually at our Las Vegas ceremony.
Are IMAC rules mandatory for tournaments?
We encourage all organizations to adopt our rulebook, but it's not mandatory. Our standardized system helps ensure fair judging and consistent competition practices.
How are divisions determined for competitors?
Divisions consider age, rank, and weight categories with flexibility for special circumstances. Detailed requirements ensure fair matchups while accommodating various skill levels.
What safety equipment is required?
IMAC mandates approved headgear, hand/foot pads, mouthpieces, and groin protection. Additional safety gear recommendations help prevent injuries during sparring and forms competitions.
Can I compete in multiple organizations?
Yes, IMAC specifically allows competitors to participate in any tournament without restriction, maintaining your eligibility across different martial arts associations.
