We are excited to introduce this year’s Uechi Convention, more affectionately known as UechiCon.

The 2026 Uechi Convention will take place September 11th, 12th, and 13th at the DoubleTree by Hilton. This annual event brings together students, instructors, families, dojo owners, senior teachers, black belt graduates, and master candidates for three days of training, tradition, and celebration.

UechiCon is the biggest Uechi event of the year. It is a weekend designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of their karate, connect with the larger Uechi family, and experience the strength of a martial arts community that extends far beyond the walls of any one dojo.

A Weekend of Training

At its heart, UechiCon is a training event.

Students will have the opportunity to train with outstanding martial artists and instructors, including senior Uechi teachers and presenters with experience in other martial arts disciplines. These seminars are designed to help students see their training from new angles, refine their basics, deepen their understanding, and leave with material they can bring back into their regular classes.

Training is available for both junior and adult students. Whether a student is newer to karate or has been training for years, UechiCon offers a chance to learn, improve, and be inspired.

For junior students, UechiCon can be especially meaningful. It allows them to see that karate is much bigger than their regular weekly class. They get to train alongside students from other dojos, meet higher-ranking students and instructors, and see examples of where consistent training can lead.

For adult students, UechiCon is a chance to challenge yourself, ask deeper questions, train with experienced teachers, and reconnect with the larger purpose of your practice.

Tradition, Testing, and Celebration

In addition to training, UechiCon includes several major Uechiryu Butokukai events.

One of the highlights of the weekend is the Uechiryu Butokukai Master’s Testing. This is an opportunity for students and families to observe advanced martial artists who have dedicated decades to their training. Watching senior students test is a powerful reminder that martial arts is a lifelong journey.

The weekend will also include the Uechiryu Butokukai Black Belt Ceremony, where this year’s graduates will be recognized for their hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Friends, family members, fellow students, and instructors are encouraged to attend and support the graduates as they receive their new ranks and diplomas.

These ceremonies are an important part of our tradition. They allow us to honor the people who have put in the work, recognize the teachers who helped guide them, and inspire the next generation of students.

The Uechi Family

One of the most important parts of UechiCon is the sense of community.

Karate training is personal, but it is never meant to be done alone. UechiCon gives students a chance to meet people from other dojos, train with new partners, learn from new teachers, and see the wider family that they are part of.

Many students spend most of their time training with the same group of classmates. That is valuable and important. But stepping into a larger event can be eye-opening. You see students of all ages, ranks, backgrounds, and experiences working together toward the same goal: getting better.

That is one of the great strengths of Uechiryu Karate. It brings people together.

More Than a Seminar

UechiCon is not just a seminar. It is a full weekend experience.

The event includes martial arts training, Master’s Testing, the Black Belt Ceremony, the NEMAF Charity Banquet, and time for students, families, instructors, and seniors to gather together.

The DoubleTree by Hilton provides a convenient location for the weekend, with training spaces, banquet areas, restaurants, and nearby attractions all in one place or within easy walking distance.

For some students, attending UechiCon may be their first time seeing the larger Uechi community. For others, it has become an annual tradition. Either way, it is a weekend that can leave students excited, motivated, and proud to be part of something larger.

Who Should Attend?

UechiCon is for junior students, adult students, black belts, families, instructors, and anyone who wants to better understand and support the Uechi community.

Students who attend can expect to gain new ideas, improve their training, meet new people, and see examples of long-term martial arts dedication.

Families are also encouraged to take part in the weekend, especially during the ceremonies and special events. These moments help show the depth of what our students are working toward and give families a chance to support the people being recognized.