Founded 2019 · New York City

The Global Governing Body for Jeet Kune Do

IJKDF lifts Jeet Kune Do from a street-level self-defense system into a codified, tournament-level combat sport through universal rules, certified officials, and an Olympic-facing development pathway. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in New York City, the federation connects 34 member nations across five continents under one disciplined competitive standard.

Membership Details Federation History
  • 34 Member Nations
  • 10 Nationally Recognized Bodies
  • NYC Not-for-Profit Standing
Main tournament action scene with two Jeet Kune Do athletes exchanging strikes in a lit competition arena
Main Scene
Seminar training support scene with coach demonstrating partner drills to a focused class
Training
Federation ceremony support scene with officials presenting medals and certificates to athletes
Ceremony

Federation highlights

Documented global standing for modern Jeet Kune Do competition.

A fast proof-point overview of IJKDF credibility, mission, and institutional milestones.

Federation standing

IJKDF operates as a global federation with a mission to standardize Jeet Kune Do as a tournament-level combat sport.

Its framework aligns member bodies, competition pathways, and governance benchmarks across international participation.

  • Global federation governance model
  • Tournament standards development focus
  • Cross-border school and official coordination
  • Publicly stated institutional milestones
View federation profile

International footprint

34 member nations across five continents

A broad network connecting athletes, coaches, referees, schools, and supporters.

National recognition

10 nationally recognized JKD bodies

Ten member nations are officially registered through their Sports Ministry as the national JKD representative.

Global presentation

Presented at the 27th TAFISA World Congress (2022)

Federation credentials were presented in Portorož, Slovenia, during the 2022 congress program.

Legal record

New York not-for-profit incorporated since July 2020

A USPTO application for the “International Jeet Kune Do Federation” mark was filed in 2021.

Membership Pathways

One federation. Four ways to belong.

Whether you compete, coach, officiate, or support the community, your profile and tools align with your role inside the international Jeet Kune Do network.

Athletes & Fighters

Built for competitors preparing for federation events with clear eligibility checks and progressive development.

  • Competition readiness and category eligibility tracking
  • Federation pathway progression, rankings, and bout records
  • Seminar participation logs that support athlete development

Coaches

For instructors and school leaders advancing through certification tied to federation standards and athlete preparation.

  • Certification delivered through IJKDF-affiliated seminars
  • 2021 model: 7 seminars across 6 countries with each nation’s registered JKD body
  • Program planning aligned to federation competition pathways

Referees

Designed for officials building certified, consistent, and safety-led officiating practice across federation competitions.

  • Referee certification delivered through IJKDF-affiliated seminars
  • 2021 benchmark: 7 seminars in 6 countries with registered national JKD bodies
  • Assignment readiness, evaluations, and rule-standard updates

Supporters & Community

Open to national federations, volunteers, and supporters who strengthen the wider Jeet Kune Do community.

  • Open, free membership access for the broader JKD community
  • Direct federation updates, event notices, and seminar announcements
  • Community initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and national collaboration

IJKDF pathways combine competition readiness with seminar-based certification. Coaches and referees certify through affiliated seminars delivered with each country’s registered JKD body, and role-specific profile fields are requested only where needed for eligibility, safety, and event operations.

Membership Details

About the Federation

IJKDF is building Jeet Kune Do into a standardized, tournament-level combat sport with global prestige.

Our long-term mission is to give JKD the same international standing as judo, taekwondo, and wrestling through universal rules, certified officials, and world-stage competition.

Universal Rules

We are establishing one tournament framework for JKD—covering formats, scoring, safety, and officiating standards—so events run consistently across every federation.

Certification Pathway

IJKDF certifies coaches, referees, and instructors through shared criteria and continuing development to protect athlete welfare and competitive integrity.

Global Tournaments & Membership

We coordinate tournaments around the world and keep federation membership open and free for national JKD bodies committed to shared standards.

Learn About the Federation

Federation Leadership

Federation officers guiding international Jeet Kune Do governance.

This leadership preview highlights four current officers. Visit the About page to view the complete 12-member IJKDF board directory.

  • Portrait of Ahmed Mohamed, President and CEO

    President & CEO

    Ahmed Mohamed

    United States · Founder of the IJKDF, leading federation strategy and global development.

  • Portrait of Thomas Keplar, Honorary President

    Honorary President

    Thomas Keplar

    Australia · Co-Founder of the IJKDF, supporting long-term federation vision and leadership continuity.

  • Portrait of Lion Vikas Gihara, Co-Secretary General

    Co-Secretary General

    Lion Vikas Gihara

    India · Coordinates federation administration and cross-border operational alignment.

  • Portrait of Kevin Nishantha, Treasurer

    Treasurer

    Kevin Nishantha

    Sri Lanka · President of the Sri Lanka Jeet Kune Do Federation and steward of federation finance.

Meet the Board

Flagship Event Framework

1st International & World Clubs JKD Championship

A documented federation snapshot from August 29–September 1, 2021 in Adana, Turkey, showing how IJKDF competition standards are delivered in practice.

Browse Events Archive

Event Identity

Adana championship staging

  • • Held in Adana, Turkey, from August 29–September 1, 2021.
  • • Hosted at Sarıçam Sports High School with the Turkish Wushu Federation.

International Field

Athletes across 10 nations

  • • Participating nations: Hungary, Turkey, Ethiopia, Algeria, and Morocco.
  • • Also represented: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Comoros, and Burkina Faso.

Federation Proof

Tournament model in action

  • • Demonstrated IJKDF’s ability to run a unified international competition format.
  • • Confirmed practical delivery of cross-nation participation, officiating structure, and event operations.

Seminars & Federation Updates

Documented seminar activity with clear guidance for live scheduling.

IJKDF's 2021 international seminar program is presented here as historical federation activity. For future live seminar dates, use the current IJKDF events calendar rather than reusing 2021–2022 booklet dates.

View Current Events Calendar
International Jeet Kune Do seminar training floor with coaches demonstrating partner drills to athletes in modern dojo lighting

2021 Seminar Series Record

Seven-program pathway for instructors, coaches, and referees

The federation delivered seven seminars in 2021: six virtual sessions across member regions plus one in-person track aligned with the Adana championship framework.

Historical seminar documentation only — check current calendar for live dates.

International Hosts

Algeria and Turkey seminar coordination

North Africa and Anatolia anchors supported the 2021 virtual instruction cycle, with Turkey also tied to the in-person Adana championship track.

International Hosts

Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and Kyrgyzstan/Russia participation

East Africa, South Asia, and Central Eurasian participants advanced referee and coaching standards through documented virtual seminar modules.

International Hosts

India delivery and federation-wide archive access

India's host role completed the six-country spread, and all seminar references are maintained as archive records, not as current upcoming listings.

Membership FAQ

Quick answers before you join

Everything you need to know about membership, eligibility, and profile setup.

Where can I review membership terms and registration details?
Membership details and current registration terms are provided on the membership page during the join process.
Who can join the federation?
Athletes, fighters, coaches, referees, school owners, and supporters can all apply.
What information do members provide?
You share basic contact details, location, role, and relevant training or club affiliation.
How do athlete or fighter details differ from coach or referee details?
Athletes and fighters add competition-focused data, while coaches and referees provide certification and officiating or teaching credentials.
What is the members-only area used for?
It centralizes your profile, federation updates, event participation context, and role-based member resources.
Membership Details

Membership Access for the International Jeet Kune Do Federation

Explore membership pathways, participate in federation programs, and manage your member profile and dashboard in one place.

Membership Details Explore Members Area