WKGB Welsh Open Karate Championships 2024

Kata categories

Kumite categories

INFORMATION

1. Coaches
2. Officials
3. Rules
   1. Kumite
   2. Kata
4. Other information
5. Entry fees
6. Rules of the day
7. Hotels & parking
8. Athlete operating procedure
9. Arena layout

1. COACHES

Only National Governing Body-accredited coaches are permitted in the tatami area. Coaches must be in their association tracksuits and a current National Governing Body Tatami Coach ID badge must be visible.

The coach is responsible for competitor behaviour, correct entries, ensuring competitors are licenced, and ensuring they have the correct equipment.

2. OFFICIALS

We request that all associations provide a nationally qualified referee/judge and/or table official.

All officials are to report to the Chief Referee at 09:30. The tournament will start promptly at 10:00, with Kata.

3. RULES

The competition will be held under WKF rules with some minor changes. In all instances, the Chief Referee’s decision will be final. Note, that competitors’ weights, ages, and licences may be checked randomly on the day. The event is open to members of WKF governing bodies.

All competitors and coaches would benefit from reading and familiarising themselves with the rules & statutes pertaining to tournament.

World Karate Federation Rules

• KUMITE Competition Rules for 2024
• KATA Competition Rules for 2024
• PARA-KARATE Competition Rules for 2024
• WKF Anti-Doping Rules
• WKF full list of statutes & rules

3.1 KUMITE

Protective equipment, compulsory

• Red/blue gloves and boots, gumshield, groin guards (males), chest guards (female), and shin guards are required for kumite at all ages. Females Cadet / Junior / U21 / Senior, the chest guard is also compulsory. Equipment must be WKF-approved for Cadet/Junior/U21/Senior. Can be WKF ‘style’ for U14.
• For U14 kumite, helmets and body protectors are mandatory;
  • Helmets - White WKF-style. Must have attached face covering. Open headguards are not permitted.
  • Body protector - can be the type worn under or over the gi jacket.

Duration of bouts

Repechage

Will be used for Cadet, Junior, U21, & Senior individual kumite categories. If timings become critical, the tournament organiser may withdraw the repechage.

Note to all competitors

Competitors are not permitted to compete outside of their category; age or weight. Members of Kumite Teams and Kata Pairs must be from the same association.

3.2 KATA

• U10 & U12: Minimum of 2 kata, alternating each round [added 13.11.24]
• U14: Different kata must be performed each round, to a max of 4 kata; can then repeat.
• 14 years+: WKF Rules - different kata each round to a max of 5 kata then non-consecutive repeat.
• Disability: At a minimum, must alternate between 2 kata.

4. OTHER INFORMATION

COMPETITOR & COACH REGISTRATION - 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.

All coaches must register online via Sportdata before the closing date. The event is not open to members of non-WKF bodies.

5. Entry fees

The closing date for entries and payment of entry fees is Friday 15th November 2024.

Payment should be made at the time of entry, via BACS. Entries will remain on the waiting list until payment has been received. If entry fees are not received by the closing date, entries will be removed.

When paying by BACS, please use your club/association name. Please also provide a payment receipt as confirmation of your BACS payment via email to events@welshkarate.org.uk.

TOURNAMENT ORGANISER, CONTACT

Sensei Chico Mbakwe events@welshkarate.org.uk

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 competitions 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, please contact the Tournament Organiser.

Photography

We may use photographs/video footage of the event for promotional material for our social media platforms and website. By participating in the event, you are consenting to your image being used for this purpose. Individuals taking photographs etc. must remain on the spectator side of the safety barrier.

6. Rules of the day

The doors will open at 9:30am and the event will start 10.00am prompt. Later in the day, (i.e. for categories starting from 12pm onward), athletes should aim to arrive at least an hour 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: With a view to smooth and timely running of this championship, Kata will be judged using the flags system.

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.

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.

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.

7. Hotels & parking

A variety of hotels are within easy walking / driving distance of the Sport Wales National Centre.

HOTELS

PARKING

Finding space to park nearby can add 20 minutes to your journey / arrival time.

Because spaces in the sports centre car park and nearby roads run out quickly, you should plan your journey with enough time to reach the venue after finding a parking spot.

📍 View parking options on Google Maps
Parking nearby

8. Athlete Operating Procedure

Categories
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 Tatami (i.e. if you’re scheduled to be on Tatami 1 – wait in holding area 1).

Coaches
Coaches should ensure that their competitors have assembled in the correct Tatami / area.

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 Tatami 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.

9. Arena layout

Sport Wales National Centre
Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9SW
Locate on Google Maps

WKGB Tournament Organiser
Sensei Chico Mbakwe 

Contact
E-mail: events@welshkarate.org.uk
Telephone: 02920 567114 / 07941 106984

SportData tournament page
Visit SportData

Welsh Karate Governing Body
www.welshkarate.org.uk