About
518 Martial Arts
Who We Are
Master Adam Grogin
518 Martial Arts Founder/Promoter
Hanshi Chris Malley
518 Martial Arts Website/Registration Administrator and Promoter
Sensei Mike Leffler
518 Martial Arts Promoter
Mission Statement
- 518 Martial Arts exists to deliver high-quality martial arts competitions and a unified annual circuit for martial artists throughout New York’s Capital Region. We are committed to creating events that elevate local talent while fostering camaraderie over rivalry—celebrating the competitors, the friendships they build, and the community they strengthen.
- Our competitions are fair, honest, and professionally run, guided by clear and consistent rules without unnecessary complexity. We strike a balance between the heart of a hometown martial arts gathering and the energy and professionalism of a national-level event—blending atmosphere, structure, and showmanship to create an experience that feels both authentic and exceptional.
- Every event on our circuit is intentionally unique, designed to stand out and feel special, yet always grounded in our shared values and competition standards. We welcome both traditional and contemporary martial artists of all backgrounds, lineages, and disciplines—united by mutual respect, passion, and the pursuit of personal excellence.
- 518 Martial Arts is more than a competition organization—we are a stage, a circuit, and a community where athletes are honored, relationships matter, and martial arts thrives in its many forms.
Registration & Pricing
518 Martial Arts uses a simple and fair registration model designed to reward early commitment and help competitors save money across the entire circuit.
Each event offers three pricing phases:
Early bird
Available when registration opens, this is our lowest and most affordable rate. This phase gives martial artists the biggest savings and is ideal for those planning ahead.
Discounted
Begins one month before the event date. This tier still offers a valuable discount, but at a slightly higher rate than Early Bird.
Regular
Goes into effect two weeks before the event. This is our standard registration rate.
Our system is built to benefit the competitors who register early. If you want the best pricing, the greatest savings, and access to all available discounts, the message is simple: Register early. Save more.
Taking advantage of Early Bird and discounted pricing not only helps you save money, it also supports better event planning, smoother divisions, and a stronger competition experience for everyone involved.
No Refund Policy
All registrations are non-refundable. Each entry directly affects divisions, scheduling, staffing, and event preparation. This policy allows us to run fair, organized, and consistent competitions for all participants.
Competition Age Rule
Since 2025, ALL competitors compete in 518 Events with their “518 Age”, the age they will be on the day of the North East Open that year!
For 2026 your 518 Age is your age as of August 8th 2026. This is the age you will compete at for the Entire Competition Year of 2026.
Official Communication Policy
To ensure accuracy, fairness, and timely support for all competitors, coaches, and event staff, 518 Martial Arts maintains one official channel for all event communication.
We kindly ask that you do not send event questions, change requests, adjustments, or competition inquiries through:
- Facebook Messenger (business or personal)
- Instagram or other social media DMs
- Social media business or organization pages
- Personal text messages or phone calls
- Any non-email communication platforms
While we value connecting with our community on social media, these platforms are not monitored for official event support, and information shared there may be missed, delayed, or incomplete.
The only official method of communication for all event-related questions, updates, or requests is via email:
mastergrogin@518martialarts.com
This policy helps us provide:
- Clear, documented responses
- Consistent information for all participants
- Fair and organized event administration
- Reliable support without confusion or miscommunication
Thank you for helping us keep the circuit running smoothly, professionally, and in service to the martial artists we celebrate.
Competition Floor Access
To ensure safety, flow, and professionalism, the following floor rules will be enforced at all events:
- Competition floor barriers will be used
- Only competitors and judges will be allowed on the competition floor
- Breaking divisions only:
- Holders will be permitted on the floor
- Holders must be in full uniform
- Holders are allowed only during the breaking event
No exceptions will be made.