2026 Kobudo Warrior

Hanshi Piddington's AKANA American Open Kobudo Warrior Test

Saturday, March 14, 2026

SideKick Karate of Salisbury

2600 Cottage Street

Salisbury, North Carolina 28147

Perform your American Open Weapon Kata and receive an AKANA Kobudo Warrior Patch and Certificate.

Schedule:

Screaming Eagles Test:  12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Junior and Solid Rank Test:  2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, & Black Belt patches will be awarded. Please read and decide which weapons category you will perform. If you have any questions, consult with your Sensei. All applications must be improved by Kyoshi.

Beginner (2 Kata)

Two Weapons (White AO Kobudo Patch)

1. Bo Pivot Form
2. Nunchuck Pivot Form

Intermediate (5 Kata)

Three Weapons (Blue AO Kobudo Patch)

1. Bo Pivot Form
2. Nunchuck Pivot Form
3. Tonfa Pivot Form
4. Butterfly Bo Set 1 (A & B)
5. Bo Kata 1

Advanced (7 Kata)

Four Weapons (Red AO Kobudo Patch)

1. Bo Pivot Form
2. Nunchuck Pivot Form
3. Tonfa Pivot Form
4. Butterfly Bo Set 2 (A & B)
5. Bo Kata 1
6. Sai Pivot Form
7. Nunchuck Kata 1

Black Belt (10 Kata)

Five Weapons (Black AO Kobudo Patch)

1. Bo Pivot Form
2. Nunchuck Pivot
3. Tonfa Pivot Form
4. Butterfly Bo Set 3 (A & B)
5. Bo Kata 1
6. Sai Pivot Form
7. Nunchuck Kata 1
8. Tonfa Kata 1
9. Sai Kata 1
10. Kama Pivot Form

Advanced Black Belt (17 Kata)

Five Weapons (Gold/Black AO Kobudo Patch)

1. Bo Pivot Form
2. Nunchuck Pivot Form
3. Tonfa Pivot Form
4. Butterfly Bo Set 4 (A & B)
5. Bo Kata 1
6. Sai Pivot Form
7. Nunchuck Kata 1
8. Tonfa Kata 1 
9. Sai Kata 1
10. Kama Pivot Form
11. Kama Kata 1 
12. Bo Kata 2
13. Butterfly Bo Set (4) 
14. Nunchuck Kata 2 
15. Tonfa Kata 2 
16. Sai Kata 2 
17. Kama Kata 2 

Test Procedures:

1. Substitution of any Kobudo Kata must be approved by the Head Sensei. 
2. If a Kobudo Kata is not performed to belt rank standard, it will not count. 
3. Kobudo Kata may have to be performed more than once to pass.
4. Kobudo Kata may be performed in a group or solo depending on the participants.
5. If a Kobudo Kata is not counted, the student can try again at a later date.
6. Students who pass will receive an AOKS patch for the level they have attained.
7. Students will also receive an AOKS certificate for the level they have attained.
8. Certificates will be signed by GM Jerry C. Piddington, founder of our system. 

Helpful Hints:

1. Make sure you have practiced the kata you select so that you will feel confident performing it.
2. Judges will be looking for things such as strong stances (no bouncing), proper body alignment (posture), proper positioning of the weapon, directing the gaze (focus), and rhythm of the kata (proper speed).
3. Make sure you perform your salutation before and after each kata and remember to “Kiai” at the proper places.