IPPON SPORTS
CHICAGO
Karate · Sportić · Youth Performance

ONE CLUB.
THREE PROGRAMS.

Karate, mini sports and athletic development for kids in Chicago, led by Coach Uroš Kaličanin.

Register your child → Explore programs
Ippon Karate Team kids with their medals and Coach Uroš
20 MEDALS2026 USA Open · Fort Worth, Texas
Our programs

PICK THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOUR CHILD

IPPON KARATE TEAM

Focus, respect and confidence on the mat, from first belt to national podium.

Ages 4+ · Lyons & St. Sava →

SPORTIĆ

Mini sports for the little ones: running, ball games and teamwork, all through play.

Saturdays · St. Sava →

YOUTH PERFORMANCE

Physical development for young athletes: stronger, faster and better coordinated.

Ages 5–16 · St. Sava →
Karate · 空手道

IPPON KARATE TEAM

Traditional karate and a competition team. Kids build strength, focus and confidence, from first belt to national podium.

  • Ages 4+
  • Lyons · Tue & Thu
  • St. Sava · Mon & Wed
Schedule & details →
A Little Dragon kicking a pad held by the coach Silver medal in kumite at the 2025 Nationals
Sportić · Спортић

SPORTIĆ

Mini sports for our youngest athletes. Running, jumping, balls and team games, all through play.

  • Saturdays
  • St. Sava Academy
  • $100 / month
Schedule & details →
Sportić kids playing the parachute game with Coach Uroš
Youth Performance

YOUTH PERFORMANCE

Athletic development that makes kids stronger, faster and better coordinated, whatever sport they play.

  • Ages 5–16
  • St. Sava Academy
  • Speed · Strength · Balance
Schedule & details →
5–16years old
Results

SMALL ATHLETES. BIG RESULTS.

20medals · 2026 USA Open
9medals · 2025 USA Nationals
Young karateka with gloves and medal Coach Uroš with two medal winners Silver in kumite at the 2025 Nationals Coach celebrating with a young fighter
About us

ONE COACH. ONE TEAM. THREE WAYS TO MOVE.

Ippon Sports brings Coach Uroš Kaličanin’s programs together under one name: the Ippon Karate Team, the Sportić mini sports program and Youth Performance. Kids train in Lyons at St. Nikola Serbian Orthodox Church and in Chicago at St. Sava Academy.

Whether a child is three steps into their first sport or chasing a national medal, the goal is the same: kids who move well, feel confident and love being active.

3programs
2locations
4–16years old
29national medals in 2025–26
Coach Uroš Kaličanin with a young medal winner
Your coach

UROŠ KALIČANIN

Head coach of Ippon Karate Team Chicago and PE teacher at St. Sava Academy. Uroš leads all three Ippon Sports programs and has taken his athletes to the podium at the USA Open and the USA Karate National Championships.

  • Karate coach, Ippon Karate Team Chicago
  • PE teacher, St. Sava Academy
  • Youth athletic development
Registration

ONE FORM FOR ALL PROGRAMS

Choose a program from the list, fill in your child’s details, and Coach Uroš will contact you to confirm a spot and the first training.

  1. Pick the program and group.
  2. Tell us about your child.
  3. We confirm by email or phone.
Pick a program to see the day and time.
← All programs
Karate · 空手道

IPPON KARATE TEAM

Traditional karate and a competition team for kids from age 4. Two locations, two levels, one coach.

Ippon Karate Team kids with their medals and Coach Uroš
Ages4 and up
LyonsTue & Thu
St. SavaMon & Wed
StyleWKF karate
Groups

TWO LEVELS, ONE TEAM

Beginners

LITTLE DRAGONS

LYONS · TUE & THU · 5:00–6:00 PM

The starting group. Kids learn stances, punches, kicks and their first kata, and get used to training in a group with clear rules and lots of encouragement.

Experienced

ADVANCED GROUP

LYONS · TUE & THU · 6:00–7:00 PM

For kids who already know the basics. More kata, more sparring and preparation for belt exams and tournaments with the Ippon competition team.

St. Nikola Serbian Orthodox ChurchTUE & THU 4315 Joliet Ave, Lyons, IL Little Dragons5:00–6:00 PM Advanced group6:00–7:00 PM
St. Sava Academy · After HoursMON & WED 5650 N Canfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60631 All levels4:00–5:00 PM
What your child learns

MORE THAN KICKS

  • KihonStances, blocks, punches and kicks done right.
  • KataSet forms that train memory, precision and calm.
  • KumiteSafe, controlled sparring with gloves and gear.
  • RespectBowing in, listening and helping teammates.
  • FocusConcentration that carries over to school.
  • ConfidenceBelt by belt, kids see their own progress.
A typical class

HOW TRAINING RUNS

  1. Bow in & warm-upLine up, greet the coach, get moving with games and stretching.
  2. TechniqueBasics drilled together, corrected one by one.
  3. Kata or sparringForms practice or controlled kumite, depending on the group.
  4. Game & bow outA short team game, then the class ends together.
What to bring
Comfortable sports clothesWater bottleKarate uniform (gi) later
Results

SMALL ATHLETES. BIG RESULTS.

20medals · 2026 USA Open, Fort Worth
9medals · 2025 USA Karate Nationals
Coach Uroš with a medal winner at the USA Nationals Young karateka with gloves and medal Silver in kumite at the 2025 Nationals A Little Dragon kicking a pad Sparring practice on the mat Coach with two kids in sparring gear Coach celebrating with a young fighter
Questions

PARENTS ASK

My child has never done karate. Where do they start?

In Little Dragons, the beginners group in Lyons, or in the St. Sava After Hours group. No experience is needed.

How do I know which group is right?

Pick the one you think fits in the registration form. Coach Uroš will check and move your child to the right group after the first trainings.

How much does karate cost?

Email ipponkarateteam@gmail.com or send the registration form and Coach Uroš will send you the current monthly price for your location.

READY FOR THE FIRST BOW?

See SportićSee Youth Performance
← All programs
Sportić · Спортић

SPORTIĆ

Mini sports for our youngest athletes. Balls, running, games and teammates, once a week at St. Sava Academy.

Coach Uroš leading a Sportić cone course
WhenSaturdays
Session45 minutes
Price$100 / month
RegistrationOpens in November
What your child learns

PLAY FIRST, SPORT FOLLOWS

  • RunningStarts, stops, relays and chasing games.
  • JumpingOver hurdles and through hopscotch rings.
  • Balance & strengthCrawling on the beam and hanging on the bar.
  • Ball & balloon gamesThrowing, catching and kicking, with soccer balls and volleyballs.
  • TeamworkParachute games, taking turns and cheering each other on.
  • Joy of movingRibbons, music and play: a healthy habit that starts early.
A typical session

45 MINUTES OF FUN

  1. Warm-up togetherArm circles, stretching and floor exercises with Coach Uroš.
  2. Obstacle courseHurdles, rings, the balance beam and the bar, one station after another.
  3. Play with equipmentRibbons, balloons and balls for coordination and fun.
  4. Parachute finaleThe whole group together, then high fives until next Saturday.
What to bring
SneakersComfortable clothesWater bottle
Where

SATURDAYS AT ST. SAVA

St. Sava Academy · GymSATURDAYS 5650 N Canfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60631 45-minute sessionsbetween 3:00 and 5:00 PM Price$100 per month
Parachute game with the whole group Jumping over a hurdle Hopping through the rings Kids dancing with ribbons Coach Uroš spotting a boy on the bar A girl playing with a ribbon Bear crawl along the balance beam Warm-up with Coach Uroš Balloon relay Cone course with the coach
Questions

PARENTS ASK

When can I register?

Registration opens in November. Send the form now and we will contact you as soon as spots open.

Does my child need sports experience?

No. Sportić is made for first steps in sport, everything is taught through play.

LET’S PLAY ON SATURDAY!

See KarateSee Youth Performance
← All programs
Youth Performance

YOUTH PERFORMANCE

Athletic development for kids and teens from 5 to 16. Stronger, faster and better coordinated in every sport they play.

A young athlete jumping a hurdle at St. Sava
Ages5–16
WhereSt. Sava Academy
WhenComing soon
PriceAsk us
Four building blocks

WHAT WE TRAIN

SPEED

Sprint technique, reaction time, quick feet and change of direction.

STRENGTH

Age-appropriate bodyweight and core training, done with good form.

BALANCE

Stability and body control that protect against injuries.

COORDINATION

Agility ladders, jumps and movement skills for every sport.

Jumping over a low hurdle Coach Uroš spotting a boy on the bar Group warm-up with Coach Uroš Crawling along the balance beam Coordination drill with balloons
Who it is for

ANY SPORT, ANY LEVEL

  • Team-sport kidsSoccer, basketball, volleyball and more.
  • Martial artistsExtra power and speed for karate athletes.
  • New to sportKids who want to get fit and confident.
  • TeensA safe start to strength training up to age 16.
A typical session

HOW TRAINING RUNS

  1. Dynamic warm-upMobility and activation games.
  2. Speed & agilitySprints, ladders and reaction drills.
  3. Strength & coreBodyweight exercises adapted to each age.
  4. Game & stretchA team challenge, then cool down.
What to bring
SneakersSports clothesWater bottle
Where

AT ST. SAVA ACADEMY

St. Sava AcademyCOMING SOON 5650 N Canfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60631 Monthly priceAsk Coach Uroš
Is strength training safe for kids?

Yes, when it is age-appropriate and supervised. Younger kids mostly use their own bodyweight and games; older kids learn proper technique step by step.

BUILD A STRONGER ATHLETE

See KarateSee Sportić