George Kotaka has a lot of plans for 2008.

Namely, win another world karate title.

He has decided that no matter what happens at the World Karate Federation Championships next November, it will likely be his last. He plans to retire from competition by the end of 2008, gold medal or not.

"I've been really struggling with the decision about when to retire, when not to retire," said Kotaka, 30. "I still have that fire in me to compete."

While he may still have that fire to win, his passion to teach burns even stronger. He's been teaching karate full time for the past four years at the International Karate Federation, the dojo his father — and renowned sensei and champion — Chuzo started in 1966.

And he loves teaching just as much, if not more, than competing.

"For me, it's more gratifying to produce quality kids who are well-mannered and can compete at a high level," Kotaka said, after wrapping up a private lesson with two boys at the studio in Mo'ili'ili. "It's so rewarding ... I was always really passionate about competing, about being the best. This kinda crept up on me."

Still, Kotaka wants to compete for that world title one more time, erasing the past two attempts — 2004 and 2006 — since becoming only the second American to take home the gold medal. (The WKF Championship is held every two years and is considered the Olympics of the sport.)

He didn't get off to the best start this year, only competing in two events. He tore his medial collateral ligament during a competition in Mexico in May and didn't compete again until November, when he took home the kumite division title at the 48th annual All Hawaii Karate-do Championships at Manoa Valley District Park.

It was his 12th title in 13 years. (He didn't compete in 2002.) He also earned the most outstanding award in the black belt kumite division at the tournament.

The event, considered the largest karate tournament in the state and hosted by the International Karate Federation, featured about 700 competitors from around the country, Japan, Canada and Australia.

The win was a boost for Kotaka, who will begin serious competitive training next month, practicing six days a week in the studio. His first meet is the USA Open/Junior Olympics Championships in March.

Already he's hitting the weights and conditioning with friend and former University of Hawai'i cornerback Kenny Patton, working out with him at least twice a week.

"He's faster and stronger than me, so it's perfect," Kotaka said. "He really pushes me."

It will be six years since he won his world title — eons in the competitive karate world. But he's not looking to just take his final bow in Tokyo, where next year's championships will be held.

"It's not enough to just go there and represent your country," Kotaka said. "You gotta go there to win it ... I'm not going to go there to place third."

48TH ANNUAL ALL HAWAII KARATE-DO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hosted by the International Karate Federation

Nov. 24

Manoa Valley District Park

For complete list of results, visit www.ikfhawaii.com

WOMEN

Kata, black belt open: 1. Eimi Kurita. 2. Nikki Takemori. 3. Sarah Hori. Kumite, 18 and older (A): 1. Elisa Au. 2. Ansley Hanger. 3. Megan McKenzie. 4. Amanda Smith.

MALE

Kata, black belt open: 1. Keita Hasegawa. 2. Ryan Miyazaki. 3. Shota Tsuchido. Kumite, black belt, 18 and older: 1. George Kotaka. 2. Kent Hori. 3. David Nolte. 4. Mark O'Relly.

MOST OUTSTANDING AWARDS

8 and younger: Yuka Shitara and Shinnosuke McGerity

9-11: Kyra Uramoto and Joshua Crimmins

12-14: Amy McNeill and Cody Takara

15-17: Keri Matsushima and Kent Hori

Brown belt: Mika Mizuno and Asuka Mizuno

Black belt, kata: Eimi Kurita and Keita Hasegawa

Black belt, kumite: Elisa Au and George Kotaka

Overall black belt: Mika Twining and Keita Hasegawa

Overall tournament competitors: 1. Rumi Kinoshita. 2. Nikki Takemori. 3. Jarryd Dote.

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.