SPOKANE, Wash. — The first major karate competition in Spokane starts on Thursday.

USA Karate is hosting its national championship competition at The Podium.

For the next four days, top martial artists will be competing in a sport that just recently became a part of the summer Olympics in 2021.

The event is expected to bring 2,000 of the nation’s top Karate athletes to Spokane — from youth to adult age, even some Olympic competitors!

Spokane Sports says it anticipates an estimated economic impact of $4 million from both athletes and spectators.

The USA Karate National Championship is the qualifier for the Junior National Team for the Junior Pan American Championships and Junior World Championships as well as the pool of athletes for the Senior National team trials.

The competition will start at 8 a.m. each day from Thursday, June 30 to Sunday, July 3.

As part of the kickoff in Spokane, there will be a fun and colorful rally on the deck of The Podium on Thursday night at 6 p.m.

The USA Karate world team will be a part of the rally from the Centennial Hotel to The Podium with American flags waving, ice cream flowing and music from a local DJ.

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Source: KXLY.com