Pink Belt 25 Camp only Sep 20 update:
1. The 2025 annual Pink Belt Fundraiser for Am. Cancer Society features an intensive kumite camp Now OPEN TO ALL, ages 10+ (male, female, and non-binary athletes)
2. The tournament on Oct. 18 has been cancelled and replaced by more kumite training. Imagine getting 20+ matches instead of 1-2 matches!
>>>>> New Flyer
When: Oct. 17, 18, 19, 2025
NC and SC AAU Karate are pleased to announce a weekend karate camp tailored for elite and developing male, female, and non-binary karate athletes, ages1 10 to 50 (please inquire about other ages). The Camp will provide high-level technical instruction, personal development, mentorship and fellowship to strengthen competitive success and youth development. Featuring instructors and champions, the camp on Oct. 17,18, 19 in 2025 will focus on kumite, injury prevention, and mindset training to foster high performance culture among young and elite-level athletes. The hosts will be NCAAU Karate Chair and AAU Karate National Coaching Staff Cyndy Yu-Robinson, and SCAAU Karate Chair Tommy Hood, also former NKF national kumite coach. Confirmed instructors are Kaitlin Leslie (Nishime Karate, Cincinati, and Adamson Karate Studios) and Gidea Pretorius (Hiro Karate, Las Vegas).
What is the Pink Belt Fundraiser?
It is an AAU invitational event, open to all ages, federations, clubs, and sexes. Register at bit.ly/pinkbelt25 . For more than 15 years, Triangle’s Best Karate members wore pink belts during the month of October to build awareness of breast cancer and other forms of cancer. This local fundraiser started in 2023 to raise $5000 for the American Cancer Society of Central and Eastern North Carolina, has turned into a national event. Come for the competition, fun, and fellowship.
Each participant of camp will receive:
- a pink belt
- training led by AAUUSA Team leaders Kaitlin Leslie and Gidea Pretorius in specific drills
- guaranteed at least 20 matches against various opponents (on Saturday)
- a video review of each participant, by former NKF national coach Tommy Hood and current AAU National coach Cyndy Yu-Robinson (on Sunday)
Confirmed guest instructors:
Kaitlin Leslie (AAU athlete and coach, 2010-2025, Nishime Martial Arts and Adamson Karate Studios, Ohio/Indiana) 
Gidea Pretorius (AAU athlete, Hiro Karate, Las Vegas)
Tommy Hood (10X NKF kumite champion, former NKF National Coach, current SCAAU Karate Director)
Cyndy Yu-Robinson (NCAAU Karate Director, 5x AAU Kata Champion ’93-’98, current AAU National Coaching Staff)
Goals and Objectives of the Camp
- Advance the technical and tactical abilities of karateka.
- Address unique psychological needs of todays’ competitors and coaches.
- Build community and visibility of competitive karate.
- Foster long-term athlete development and retention in the sport.
Day 1: Strategy & Timing
- Evening (6-8:30 pm, at Triangle’s Best Karate Dojo):
- Motivational Keynotes by Kaitlin Leslie and Gidea Pretorius
- Kumite topic (strategy, ring work, promote your point)
- Timing drills
- Nutrition & Recovery for Karate Athletes
- Evening (8:30-9:30)
- Community Dinner + Roundtable: “Mental Toughness Stories”
Day 2: Application & Coaching
- Morning (10:00–2:00, at Triangle’s Best Karate Dojo):
- Group Warm-up and mobility
- Power & Plyometric Conditioning
- Peer-to-peer teaching: Elite athletes coach younger students
- One third of each registration fee will go 100% to American Cancer Society
- We will use AAU Karate rules for flag kata -two rounds-may repeat kata; sanbon kumite; rotational kumite; scored kobudo.
- We welcome officials and coaches from all dojos, federations, and ranks.
- Evening (5:30-8:00)
- Local Tour Option 1: NC State Fair
- Local Tour Option 2: Crabtree Valley Mall Scavenger Hunt
Day 3: Review and Growth Plan
- Morning (9:00-12:00, at Triangle’s Best Karate Dojo)
- Video review: Kumite feedback session with Sensei Tommy Hood
- Journaling, Mentorship, and other resources with Sensei Cyndy Yu-Robinson
- Certificates for participants, group photo