Ozark Mountain Nationals

Climb the Mountain 🏔️

Why do competitors travel from across the region and the nation to compete at the Ozark Mountain Nationals?

✔ High-energy competition
✔ Divisions for all ages and skill levels
✔ An electric crowd that loves martial arts
✔ The chance to prove you belong at the top

Whether you’re chasing your first medal or defending your reputation, this is where warriors meet.

🥋 Challenge for this week:
Tag one competitor friend who has NEVER been to Ozark Mountain Nationals and tell them it’s time to climb the mountain.

Let’s see how many first-time competitors we can bring to OMN this year 👇

The underbelts showed up big in 2025 — by the hundreds! From adults to juniors, from advanced to beginners and even first-timers, everyone brought their best to OMN.

One of the most exciting divisions was Open Ranked Sparring, pairing some of the best of the best across divisions.

What makes OMN special is how we cater to what the athletes do best, especially our juniors — splitting Open and Traditional divisions and carrying that format into the Grand Championship round.

OMN has become a huge developmental event for athletes ready to take that next step, and 2026 will be no different.

👉 Join us for OMN 2026 — an event that celebrates every athlete, at every level.

🎯 Ozark Mountain Nationals Look Back — 2025 Junior Black Belts

As we roll toward OMN 2026, we’re taking a moment to highlight the 13 & Under Junior Black Belt Grand Championships — one of the most exciting and talented divisions of the event!

A few years ago, based on competitor feedback, we made the decision to separate Open and Traditional divisions — and the results have been incredible.

🔥 Open Grands:
This year’s champion, Ava Hemmer, brought unmatched energy and skill to the stage! Representing American Karate of Wentzville and the newly formed Sam Diaz Team, Ava may just be the best hype person in the sport right now.

🥋 Traditional Grands:
This division has long been a proving ground for rising stars — and Parker Gillespie from Long’s Shotokan Karate, under the guidance of former NBL & NASKA champ Mark Long, delivered a standout performance in a deep and competitive field.

🌟 Junior Black Belts — we want YOU in 2026!
Join the tradition, bring your best, and be part of one of the premier youth showcases in the country.

Mark Long American Karate Samuel Diaz III Mark Long Long's Shotokan Karate Academy Ava The Pink Dragon Hemmer

Demo Teams That Shook the House

Caption:
💥 Energy. Creativity. Precision.
Demo teams at the Ozark Mountain Nationals have delivered some of the most jaw-dropping, crowd-favorite performances in the last 15 years. From synchronized forms to explosive tricks, they always bring the fire. 🔥

👉 What’s the best demo performance you’ve ever seen here?

Counting down the top moments in OMN history!

Grand Champion Battles

🔥 The crowd on their feet. The energy at its peak. The chase for the title.
Over the last 15 years, the Ozark Mountain Nationals has been home to some of the most unforgettable Grand Champion showdowns in the region. 🏆

💬 Comment below if you’ve witnessed one of these epic battles!

We are counting down the top moments of OMN as we count down to our date launch for 2026!

#1 The Beginning

🥋 Throwback to where it all began…
15 years ago, the very first Ozark Mountain Nationals brought martial artists together in the Ozarks for an event that would grow into a tradition. From humble beginnings to packed rings, the journey has been incredible.

👉 Were you there for the very first one? Share your memory below! 👇