Presidents

J.B. "Jo" Mirza

J.B. (Jo) Mirza, the 49th President of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), has dedicated more than five (5) decades of service to the AAU at the local, national, and international levels. President Mirza got his start in AAU as an athlete in the sport of karate in 1972, competing in the Central AAU Association (now District), though he’s been a student of martial arts since 1967. His roles with the AAU have been many throughout the years, including AAU Karate National Chair, District AAU Governor (Central and Florida Gold Coast), and District Lieutenant Governor (Central) as well as instructor, official, and dedicated volunteer. In 1987, President Mirza was recognized for his many efforts on behalf of the AAU Karate program, winning election as AAU Karate National Chair and being named the AAU Junior Olympic Games Karate Chairman, positions he has held ever since. President Mirza has been a member of the AAU Board of Directors since 1994, and also served as the National Adult Sports Chair from 1994-2004. From 2004-2014, he served as the National Law and Legislation Chairman. Elected as AAU National Treasurer in 2014 and 2018 respectively, President Mirza served with the previous AAU national officer group before being elected as President in October 2022. In addition to his dedication and responsibilities to the AAU, President Mirza was elected First Vice President of the World Union Karate Federation (WUKF) in 2017, President of United World Karate (UWK) in 2019, and was appointed the International School Sport Federation’s (ISF) Technical President in 2020. He also served as Regional President for Pan-America World Karate Commission (WKC) from 2000-2009, and was Vice President of the World Karate Organization (WKO) from 1995-2000. President Mirza was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1994. He received his 8th degree black belt in Shotokan karate in 2004 and in the same year was awarded an honorary 8th degree in Shito-Ryu karate from Mabuni Sensei, the eldest son of the founder of the style of karate.

J.B. "Jo" Mirza

J.B. (Jo) Mirza, the 49th President of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), has dedicated more than five (5) decades of service to the AAU at the local, national, and international levels. President Mirza got his start in AAU as an athlete in the sport of karate in 1972, competing in the Central AAU Association (now District), though he’s been a student of martial arts since 1967. His roles with the AAU have been many throughout the years, including AAU Karate National Chair, District AAU Governor (Central and Florida Gold Coast), and District Lieutenant Governor (Central) as well as instructor, official, and dedicated volunteer. In 1987, President Mirza was recognized for his many efforts on behalf of the AAU Karate program, winning election as AAU Karate National Chair and being named the AAU Junior Olympic Games Karate Chairman, positions he has held ever since. President Mirza has been a member of the AAU Board of Directors since 1994, and also served as the National Adult Sports Chair from 1994-2004. From 2004-2014, he served as the National Law and Legislation Chairman. Elected as AAU National Treasurer in 2014 and 2018 respectively, President Mirza served with the previous AAU national officer group before being elected as President in October 2022. In addition to his dedication and responsibilities to the AAU, President Mirza was elected First Vice President of the World Union Karate Federation (WUKF) in 2017, President of United World Karate (UWK) in 2019, and was appointed the International School Sport Federation’s (ISF) Technical President in 2020. He also served as Regional President for Pan-America World Karate Commission (WKC) from 2000-2009, and was Vice President of the World Karate Organization (WKO) from 1995-2000. President Mirza was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1994. He received his 8th degree black belt in Shotokan karate in 2004 and in the same year was awarded an honorary 8th degree in Shito-Ryu karate from Mabuni Sensei, the eldest son of the founder of the style of karate.