By Mike McCombs
The Island News
Beaufort’s Club Karate will host its 31st annual Goodwill Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 at the Beaufort High School gymnasium.
“We invite participants, enthusiasts, and spectators to join us for an exhilarating showcase of martial arts talent, camaraderie, and friendly competition,” Club Karate founder and owner Chuck Elias said in a release announcing the tournament.
Participants can pre-register for the competition online at clubkartellc.com. According to Elias, pre-registering helps manage the event more efficiently and ensures participants have a smooth experience on the day of the tournament.
Those who prefer to register in person can do so at Club Karate at 10 Sams Point Road, Suite B-3, on Lady’s Island. Staff will be available to assist with the registration process and answer any questions.
Payments can be made during pre-registration online, in person at Club Karate, or at the event for an additional $10, cash only.
The fee for spectators is $8, cash only, for individuals ages 6 and older.
Elias said getting participants this year has been more of a challenge as there was more difficulty than usual working out a contract with the Beaufort County School District to use the Beaufort High gym.
But Elias chose to keep a positive attitude.
“Karate people are kinda known for being last minute people,” he said. “I’ve learned to not stress over it.”
According to Elias, the event, which he said usually has a pretty good crowd of participants, around 170 or 180, usually sees roughly half its participants register in advance and half register at the door on the day of the event.
Elias touts the tournament as more than just a competition, but a celebration of martial arts and community. It has become a platform for martial artists of all ages and skill levels to showcase their talents, learn from each other, and foster a sense of camaraderie, he said.
“Nothing but happiness, a good experience,” Elias said when asked what he hoped a first-time participant would take home from the event. “It’s an opportunity to find out their strengths, their weaknesses and what they need to work on, to find out that there are people out there who train hard. Can they be one of them?”
Elias said tournaments played a big part in his own development in the martial arts.
“I know that if I had not attended a tournament, I’d have never been past a white belt,” he said. “I got to see how big martial arts really was. Tournaments are about seeing people of all ages, ability and ranks. About getting inspired, getting motivated.”
Even about making friends.
According to the release, “the tournament features multiple categories and divisions to ensure fair and exciting competition. Participants will be grouped based on age, skill level, and martial arts discipline.” Participants can learn more about the categories and divisions during the registration process.
The release also stresses that the event’s judges and officials are “experienced martial artists and coaches who are dedicated to ensuring fair and unbiased judging. Their expertise and commitment to integrity are crucial to the success of the tournament.”
Winners in each category will receive ribbons as a token of their achievement, and all participants will receive a plaque as a recognition of their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship.
For any inquiries or additional information, contact Chuck Elias at 843-252-7283 or Clubkick@gmail.com.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
