A Tradition of Competition, Sportsmanship & FUN
For more than two decades, Sensei Brian Pena and The Karate Dojo have shared a proud history in sport martial arts competition—and few events represent that history, vision, and tradition better than the Carolina Open, originally known as the Carolina Martial Arts Open.
Built upon Sensei Pena’s vision of creating a tournament that is super-organized, competitor-focused, professional, and FUN, the Carolina Open has welcomed martial artists of all ages, ranks, styles, and experience levels.
The goal has never been simply to run another tournament.
It has been to create an experience—one where competitors are respected, families feel welcome, events run efficiently, sportsmanship matters, and every martial artist who steps onto the floor has an opportunity to be part of something special.
Over the years, competitors and families from throughout the Carolinas and across North America have come together to compete in Forms, Weapons, and Fighting.
But competition has always been only part of the story.
From the beginning, tremendous emphasis has been placed on organization, fairness, sportsmanship, hospitality, and creating an atmosphere where everyone—from a first-time beginner to a seasoned champion—feels that their effort matters.
Tournament of the Year
In 2008, the Carolina Martial Arts Open received one of the greatest recognitions in its history when it was named the NBL/SKI Tournament of the Year.
The award represented far more than the success of a single event.
It reflected years of work by Sensei Pena and an incredible tournament staff, Blackbelts, volunteers, families, officials, and supporters—as well as the friendship and loyalty of thousands of sport karate competitors who supported the event over the years.
The philosophy was simple:
Be organized. Respect the competitor. Start on time. Create opportunities. Reward effort. And make it FUN.
Those principles became part of the identity of the Carolina Open—and remain at the heart of its vision today.
A New Chapter
After its original run, the tournament was temporarily retired.
In 2014, Sensei Pena and The Karate Dojo hosted the Battle of the Midlands, welcoming nearly 100 competitors and their families into the Dojo for a smaller, family-oriented competition.
The success of that event reminded us of what we had always loved about martial arts competition.
With the support of family, Blackbelts, students, and friends, the tournament returned in 2015, beginning another chapter in its history.
Once again, the goal was never simply to host another tournament.
It was to create an experience.
An event where a beginner could step onto the competition floor for the first time.
Where experienced competitors could challenge one another.
Where families could cheer.
Where martial artists from different schools, backgrounds, and styles could compete fiercely—and shake hands afterward.
And where Tradition, Discipline, Sportsmanship, Opportunity, and FUN could exist together under one roof.
More Than Trophies
Medals and trophies eventually collect dust.
What lasts are the experiences.
The nervousness before stepping onto the floor.
The friendships formed between competitors.
The lessons learned from winning.
The lessons learned from losing.
The coaches standing in the corner.
The parents cheering from the sidelines.
The officials and volunteers giving their time.
And the courage it takes to simply step forward and compete.
Those moments become memories.
Those memories become part of our history.
That is the legacy of the Carolina Open.
The Legacy Continues
The Carolina Open represents decades of friendships, competitors, families, volunteers, Blackbelts, judges, promoters, and memories that have become part of the history of Sensei Brian Pena, The Karate Dojo, and sport martial arts throughout the Carolinas.
But legacy isn’t simply about remembering what happened before us.
It is about deciding what we carry forward.
As the Carolina Open looks toward its next chapter, the vision remains remarkably similar to the one that started it:
Create an event competitors want to attend.
Treat people with respect.
Be organized.
Provide opportunities.
Honor traditional martial arts values while embracing the excitement of sport competition.
Give the next generation a place to challenge themselves.
And never forget to have FUN.
The tournament floor may look different.
The competitors will change.
A new generation will eventually take its place.
But the principles that built the Carolina Open will remain:
SUPER ORGANIZED.
COMPETITOR FOCUSED.
TRADITION. DISCIPLINE. SPORTSMANSHIP. OPPORTUNITY.
And above all—
FUN.
The history has already been written.
The next chapter is still waiting to be written.
#NEVERGiveUp – EVER.
Testimonials
CMAO in Words
CMAO in Pictures
CMAO Hall of Fame
