Ep. 190 - ATA Goes Global: 2026 ATA European Championships

The central theme of today's podcast revolves around our enlightening discourse with Chief Master Schreiber regarding the upcoming European Championships, scheduled to transpire from May 1st to 3rd, 2026, in Portugal. This prestigious event, which has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, is not merely a tournament but a grand assembly of training and competition, featuring over 500 participants in its previous iteration. We delve into the nuances of the newly introduced "A plus" tournament category, which aims to elevate the status of international competitions and encourage a broader participation from competitors globally. Furthermore, we highlight the significance of the European Championship title, which, while primarily awarded to black belts, also fosters a spirit of inclusivity by allowing competitors from outside Europe to claim this esteemed accolade. Through our conversation, we aim to inspire our listeners to embrace the opportunity to partake in this monumental event and further cultivate the ATA community across borders.

Takeaways:

1. The upcoming European Championships will be held in Portugal from May 1st to 3rd, 2026, marking a significant event for ATA Europe.
2. The European Championships will feature two days of training and one day of competition, alongside black belt testing and legacy certification.
3. The introduction of the A plus category will allow competitors to earn points that are more than regional tournaments but less than national events.
4. The ATA Nation podcast encourages listeners to subscribe to stay informed about upcoming events and episodes, fostering a sense of community.
5. Participants are welcome from around the globe to join the European Championships, making it a truly international gathering of martial artists.