The US Open was created as a promotional entity for karate tournaments and televised kickboxing events. Pro-Kick Productions purchased the US Open in 1984. It was 11 years old and 2015 will mark 42 years.

Started in 1973 by Ted Kresge – It was originally named The USKA East Coast Grand Nationals and was held each October in St. Petersburg Florida. I 1978 he changed the name to the US Open to attract more competitors than just the USKA membership.

He sold it to Charlie Brown in 1979 when he thought the world was coming to an end in 1980. Mike Sawyer and I, with help from a few others, ran the event for Charlie for 4 years until he sold it to us.

In 1984 we moved it to the Orange County Convention Center and incorporated PKA Full Contact Karate on the nighttime show and it was televised on ESPN. In 1985 we moved to the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. This was the last year we were on ESPN.

We moved back to the Orange County Convention Center in 1991.
In 1995 we moved the event to the Sheraton Twin Towers
In 1998 we signed a new agreement with ESPN2 and Paul Mitchell Products became our major sponsor. Asian World of Martial Arts also signed on as a sponsor.

In 1999 the event moved to the Coronado Springs Resort where it has remained except for 2002 when we held the event at the Contemporary Resort. It also moved to around the July 4th weekend and will be held in 2015 the weekend of July 3-4.

Contacts:
1-844-4USOPEN
help@usopen-karate.com
http://www.usopenkarate.com/