BKF International Open 2023

Saturday 2nd September 2023

KATA – INDIVIDUAL
Category	Code	Category	Code
Girls Kata 7-9 years	KA01	Boys Kata 7-9 years	KA04
Girls Kata 10-11 years	KA02	Boys Kata 10-11 years	KA05
Girls Kata 12-13 years	KA03	Boys Kata 12-13 years	KA06

KATA - PAIRS TEAM
Category	Code	Category	Code
Girls Kata 7-9 years	KA07	Boys Kata 7-9 years	KA10
Girls Kata 10-11 years	KA08	Boys Kata 10-11 years	KA11
Girls Kata 12-13 years	KA09	Boys Kata 12-13 years	KA12

KATA - TEAM
Category	Code	Category	Code
Girls Kata 7-9 years	KA13	Boys Kata 7-9 years	KA16
Girls Kata 10-11 years	KA14	Boys Kata 10-11 years	KA17
Girls Kata 12-13 years	KA15	Boys Kata 12-13 years	KA18

KATA - PARA INDIVIDUAL - ALL AGES
Category	Code	Para Category Description
Para Kata intellectually impaired - 14+ years	KA19	Athletes must have an IQ of 75 or lower on standard tests, having originated before the age of 18. Evidence of significant limitations in adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills.
Para Kata intellectually impaired - 14+ years	KA20	Athletes who have an intellectual impairment and Down Syndrome as caused by extra genetic material in chromosome 21’.
Para Kata intellectually impaired - 14+ years	KS21	Athletes who have Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A full-scale score of IQ of above 75, and/or no diagnosis of intellectual impairment (evidence of functioning cognitively at average or above average levels). A formal diagnosis of autism, ASD or Asperger’s syndrome, carried out by a qualified practitioner using accepted diagnostic techniques.
Para Kata intellectually impaired - 7-13 years	KA22
Blind/visually impaired - U18	KA23	Wheelchair users - all ages	KA25
Blind/visually impaired - 18+	KS24	Standing Class - all ages	KA26

KUMITE - INDIVIDUAL
Category	Code	Category	Code
Girls Kumite 7-9 years -25kg	KU01	Boys Kumite 7-9 years -25kg	KU07
Girls Kumite 7-9 years +25kg	KU02	Boys Kumite 7-9 years +25kg	KU08
Girls Kumite 10-11 years -35kg	KU03	Boys Kumite 10-11 years -35kg	KU09
Girls Kumite 10-11 years +35kg	KU04	Boys Kumite 10-11 years +35kg	KU10
Girls Kumite 12-13 years -40kg	KU05	Boys Kumite 12-13 years -45kg	KU11
Girls Kumite 12-13 years +40kg	KU06	Boys Kumite 12-13 years +45kg	KU12

KUMITE - TEAM
Category	Code	Category	Code
Girls Team Kumite (3) 7-9 years	KT01	Boys Team Kumite (3) 7-9 years	KT04
Girls Team Kumite (3) 10-11 years	KT02	Boys Team Kumite (3) 10-11 years	KT05
Girls Team Kumite (3) 12-13 years	KT03	Boys Team Kumite (3) 12-13 years	KT06

KATA - INDIVIDUAL
Category	Code	Category	Code
Female Cadet Kata	KA34	Male Cadet Kata	KA28
Female Junior Kata	KA35	Male Junior Kata	KA29
Female U21 KataFemale U21 Kata	KA36	Male U21 Kata	KA30
Female Senior Kata	KA37	Male Senior Kata	KA31
Female Veteran Kata	KA38	Male Veteran Kata	KA32
Female Super Veteran Kata	KA39	Male Super Veteran Kata	KA33
Open Senior Kata (all genders)	KA40

KATA - TEAM
Category	Code	Category	Code
Female Cadet & Junior Team Kata	KA41	Male Cadet & Junior Team Kata	KA44
Female Senior Team Kata	KA42	Male Senior Team Kata	KA45
Female Veteran Team Kata	KA43	Male Veteran Team Kata	KA46
International Kata Teams	KA27

Sunday 3rd September 2023

KATA - PAIRS TEAM
Category	Code	Category	Code
Female Cadet Pairs Kata	KA47	Male cadet Pairs Kata	KA51
Female Junior Pairs Kata	KA48	Male Junior Pairs Kata	KA52
Female Senior Pairs Kata	KA49	Male Senior Pairs Kata	KA53
Female Veteran Pairs Kata	KA50	Male Veteran Pairs Kata	KA54

CADET KUMITE
Category	Code	Category	Code
Female Cadet Kumite -47kg	KU13	Male Cadet Kumite -52kg	KU16
Female Cadet Kumite -54kg	KU14	Male Cadet Kumite -57kg	KU17
Female Cadet Kumite -61kg	KU15	Male Cadet Kumite -63kg	KU18
Female Cadet Kumite +61kg	KU54	Male Cadet Kumite -70kg	KU19
		Male Cadet Kumite +70kg	KU20

JUNIOR KUMITE
Category	Code	Category	Code
Female Junior Kumite -48kg	KU21	Male Junior Kumite -55kg	KU25
Female Junior Kumite -53kg	KU22	Male Junior Kumite -61kg	KU26
Female Junior Kumite -59kg	KU23	Male Junior Kumite -68kg	KU27
Female Junior Kumite -66kg	KU24	Male Junior Kumite -76kg	KU28
Female Junior Kumite +66kg	KU55	Male Junior Kumite +76kg	KU29

U21 KUMITE
Category	Code	Category	Code
Female U21 Kumite -50kg	KU30	Male U21 Kumite -60kg	KU35
Female U21 Kumite -55kg	KU31	Male U21 Kumite -67kg	KU36
Female U21 Kumite -61kg	KU32	Male U21 Kumite -75kg	KU37
Female U21 Kumite -68

DEMONSTRATION CATEGORY

INTERNATIONAL KATA TEAMS

With a view to affording our national teams an opportunity to stress test their Kata under competition
conditions, we will host a demonstration category (with separate medals):

International Kata Teams (teams need to be from the same country).
Male or female teams are welcome.
Any age from 14 years is welcome.
Bunkai is an option in the final only - as long as both teams wish to proceed on this basis.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT â€“ PARA ATHLETE

We have also introduced a category for carers, who will be assisting Para athletes in the competition areas. This category will be free of charge (including the spectator fee).

Please register on Sportdata under the category of Personal Assistant – Para athlete and write to the Tournament Organiser (raj@knowitall.co.uk) to confirm which Para athlete you are assisting. A badge will be waiting for you at Reception along with the warmest of welcomes.

Photography and Recording

The BKF plan to engage a photographer who will take action shots of the competitors. Video and photographs will be taken at the event for promotional purposes, however, should anyone have a concern please contact the event organiser prior to the event.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR COACHES

For BKF members, only NGB-accredited coaches are permitted in the Tatami area and must display their accreditation badges upon entry. If the badge is not shown, a spectator fee will apply. Anyone wishing to coach at the Tatami must have NGB accreditation to verify that they are aware of the required rules, responsibilities and expected conduct. Without this accreditation, a coach pass will not be issued by the event organiser to BKF members.

Coach dress code:
Coaches must be in association tracksuits and clearly display their coaching ID badge. Inappropriate dress, as deemed by the Chief Referee, will be refused access to the competition area. Only coaches adhering to the correct dress code and in possession of a coaching pass will be allowed in the competition area.

Coach medical:
We record every injury that gives us the slightest concern, however, symptoms often occur after the incident and we would ask that the coach or representative informs the medical team of any concerns he or she has at the time of the incident, or any time after, no matter how trivial it may seem.

Repechage

We fully intend to have Repechage for CADETS, JUNIORS and SENIORS Individual Kumite and Kata. However, the Chief Referee has the authority to withdraw the repechage if the time frame becomes critical. Competitors can only compete in their own categories and cannot move up to compete in another category. In the unlikely event of low-category entries, the organisers reserve the right to amalgamate categories.

Insurance

It is the responsibility of each individual, or parent/guardian of a competitor if under 18 years of age, to have their own insurance cover for the event. Please advise your competitors accordingly regarding insurance cover. It is the responsibility of the clubs/coaches to ensure that all competitors are aware of this and have been advised of adequate cover. Association/club parental consent to compete is also required. This is the responsibility of the association.

Health and Safety issues have been discussed and we try to plan for every eventuality. However, this is a busy tournament and due care and attention are required in all areas. Would all coaches/parents ensure that their children are properly chaperoned. Karate matches are performed in bare feet; please ensure proper footwear is used in the arena and surrounding areas, especially approaching the mats.

Disclaimer

Karate is a martial art and contact sport. People can and do get injured and we cannot accept responsibility for any such injury, loss or accident arising from your participation in our training, competitions or associated activities and ask that you are aware, agree and accept this by entering or giving permission to enter this event. We should also be notified, in writing, of any medical condition that may have relevance to their participation in Karate.

If you require any further information or assistance, then please contact the Tournament Organiser Raj Bhardwaj via tournaments@britishkaratefederation.com.

All Competitor & Coach Registration is via Sportdata

All entries are online only via Sportdata. For registration please visit: www.sportdata.org

It is the responsibility of coaches to ensure that all competitors are registered and are in the correct categories. Competitors are only allowed to compete in their own age/weight category and are not allowed to move up a category. Entries will only be accepted via your coach/association and not from individuals.

Coach Registration: All coaches must register online via Sportdata before the closing date. Coach passes will only be issued to coaches who are NGB accredited (for BKF members) and registered via Sportdata (for international and non-WKF coaches).

Volunteers can also register via Sportdata. Volunteers will be provided with: a BKF Official polo shirt; lunch; tea/coffee and an excellent vantage point to watch the Championships.

Entry fees

The closing date for entries and payment of entry fees is Friday 25th August 2023.

Competitor
Individual events	£30
Team events (2-3 person)	£40

Spectator entry fees
Family pass – weekend (2 adults and 2 children)	£50
Adult - 2 day pass	£15
Adult - 1 day pass	£11
Children - 16 yrs / concession - 2 day pass	£10
Children - 16 yrs / concession - 1 day pass	£6

No late entries will be permitted. Payment should be made at the time of entry. However, if entry fees are not received by the closing date entries will be removed from the draw.

Please ensure that if paying by BACS you have an identifying reference against your payment i.e. club or association name. Please also provide a receipt or confirmation of your BACS payment to the organiser via tournaments@britishkaratefederation.com.

All payments should be made using the PayPal link via Sportdata. This is the preferred method of payment.

Or by BACS payment direct to:

British Karate Federation
Bank	Santander
Account no	15891790
Sort code	09-01-29

Publication of the draw and timeline

A first draft of the draw will be published on Saturday 26th August via Sportdata. Coaches will be invited to check for any errors (these usually involve a change in weight category). A new draw will follow any addition / subtraction of an athlete in a given category.

The timeline for the Championships weekend will be published on Sunday 27th August 2023 on Sportdata.

Finals and Medals

Each category will run straight through to the final and medals will be announced and awarded on the mats immediately after each category.

Rules of the day

The doors will open at 8:00am and the event will start 8.30am prompt both days. Later in the day, (i.e. for categories starting from 10am onward), athletes should aim to arrive at least two hours before they are scheduled to compete.

Should the event run ahead of schedule category start times may be brought forward. Competitor check-in will be carried out prior to each category starting.

Kata - there will be no Kata Bunkai required (with the potential exception of the final of International Kata Teams).
With a view to smooth and timely running of this championships, Kata will be judged using the flags system.

13 years and under - alternate Katas; for individuals, pairs and teams.

13 years and under - AKA and AO will perform their Kata simultaneously i.e. on an area at the same time.

Kata and Kumite for 14 years and above will be held under WKF rules, which will be strictly applied (other than the flags system for Kata being deployed and Kumite team categories will have 3 athletes, with a minimum of two permissible).

Kumite weigh-in: We will operate spot weight checks. Any competitor found not to be the correct weight for the category they have entered will not be allowed to compete. We cannot move competitors to another weight category if they fail the weight checks. Athletes competing on the Sunday may volunteer to weigh in on the Saturday by reporting to the Tournament Organiser.

Pairs & Teams: All members of team must be from the same club/association.

Compulsory protective wear:
Red/blue foot protection and hand mitts, as well as gum shields are compulsory for all. Body protectors and chest guards are compulsory at 12 years and above.

14 years and above – all females must wear a chest protector.

Anyone with braces on the lower teeth MUST have a full upper and lower gum shield.

BKF Chief Referee: Mr Dale Gamble: REFEREES’ BRIEFING 8.00am

Housekeeping

Bags and equipment should not be left where they potentially present a trip hazard. Nor should they be left at the side of the Tatami whilst competing.

Spectators in the seating area should remain seated. Spectators should not stand by the barriers adjacent to the Tatami as this blocks the view of seated spectators and causes a potential health and safety hazard.

Official Hotel

The BKF recommends the following hotel, which is across the road from the competition venue:

Travelodge Sheffield Central, 1 Broad St W, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield. S1 2BQ.
Locate on Google Maps

Athlete Operating Procedure

Each category (or pool of a category) is scheduled to run on a specific Tatami. The category will be
clearly announced over the public address system and the athletes in that category should then make
their way to the corresponding holding area (i.e. if you’re scheduled to be on Tatami 1 – wait in holding
area 1).

Holding areas for each Tatami will be clearly designated. Coaches should ensure that their competitors
have assembled in the correct holding area.

A Tatami Official will then collect the competitors, one by one for each match. The first visit for any
category (or pool) will select competitors for the current bout plus the next bout. Bout competitors will
then take a seat in the allocated area awaiting their bout.

Coaches should consult the available draw sheets to determine the competitor's position in the draw.
(This is available via Sportdata and is also displayed within the arena area.)

Please note that once called, competitors should remain within the holding area to ensure that they
do not miss their bout. It is the coach's responsibility to have competitors available for the bout as it
is called.

Compliance with the above procedure will help to maintain a constant flow and avoid competitors
missing their bouts. Your support in this procedure is appreciated.