2024 NZ Cup Updates

We regretfully announce changes to the format of the 2024 New Zealand Cup hosted by KNZ and Karate Auckland. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the tournament will now be condensed to a single day on Saturday 6th April. Unfortunately, this means several divisions will be removed to ensure the competition can be completed on time.

We understand the disappointment this may cause, especially for competitors who will miss out on participating. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. We hope to organise another tournament later in the year to accommodate those unable to compete this time.

The divisions' categories will be modified on Monday 11th March, and the entry deadline will be changed so entries must be completed by Sunday 17th March. We still want to complete the competition timetable and draws two weeks before the competition. Payments for entries will now be due Monday 18th March. If any entries have already been paid for cancelled categories, reimbursements will be made to the club.

We carefully decided to reduce the number of divisions, acknowledging that some competitors may wish to elevate their level for this tournament, e.g. from development to intermediate (where available) or premier, aiming to challenge themselves against higher-ranked players. To support this, we offer an amnesty: competitors switching divisions won't face penalties if they return to their usual division later in the year.

Once again, we apologise for the late notice and any disruption this may have caused to your plans. If you have any concerns or questions, please email Keith Crawford at kcrawford@karatenz.org.nz. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

Note: Kindly be advised that this information is subject to updates as we advance toward the tournament. For the most recent updates, please refer to the footer for the latest records. While Sportdata may not reflect these updates, this serves as the official notification regarding the proceedings.

Clubs submit entry requests to ensure members compete under the correct affiliation, facilitating fair draws by keeping teammates apart whenever feasible. Individual athlete registrations without club affiliation have been confused in the past. After receiving entry confirmation, clubs can proceed to register their players for the waiting list. This list is essential for verifying KNZ membership for the 2024 National Championships, a prerequisite for participation.

Premier grades for Cadet, Junior, and U21 – age on 9th October 2024; to assist with the WKF Cadet, Junior & U21 World Championships selections. This age will include Team Kata 14-17 YO.

Other grades including Development and Intermediate, ages as of 6th April.

Please consult the draw and timetable on the Sportdata website for final times closer to the tournament when competitor numbers are confirmed.

Provisional:

Saturday 6th April:          Premier competitions - Bow in at 8:45 am

If there are insufficient entries for separate intermediate grades, these may be merged with the Premier grades.

A delegate from each club must complete all entries and payments. When paying entry fees by Internet banking, please note that the payment is for NZ Cup. 

Individual competitors do not permit payment; clubs pay as a single combined payment. Refunds, if required, will be paid back to Clubs.

NZ Cup - Individual Entry     (Fees for the first individual event as below; plus $10 per additional individual event) 

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE ENTERED ONLINE IN SPORTDATA VIA YOUR CLUB INSTRUCTOR OR DESIGNATED PERSON. Whoever registers the athletes for their club in Sportdata is responsible for informing players, coaches, instructors, parents, and supporters of the Terms and Conditions | Health and Safety | Code of Conduct as written in the disclaimer - this can be seen in the DISCLAIMER. It is each club's responsibility to make their athletes aware of the contents of the DISCLAIMER.

• All entries, players, coaches and referees, must be entered on Sportdata by 6:00 pm SUNDAY 17th MARCH 2024. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS BY CLUBS NEED TO BE ACCEPTED by the Tournament Organising Committee.  This will enable the tournament organisers to plan more effectively and publish the final timetable earlier. If there are insufficient entries in a particular division, then divisions may be combined or not held. 

• All entry fees are paid as one club payment by 6:00 pm MONDAY 18th March 2024 – three weeks before the competition. PAYMENT OF ENTRY FEES BY INTERNET BANKING TO KARATE NEW ZEALAND [Internet Banking Westpac Account:  03 0180 0177734 00] - add your ‘club name’ with 'NZCUP24' in the bank reference.

Please note:

• New Zealand karate clubs need to register with Sportdata to enter players.

• Only Karate-ka within New Zealand is eligible to compete.

• Athletes and spectators may be photographed, or filmed for live web streaming and may be used on a highlights package (with international viewing options). So anyone attending the venue on Saturday may be filmed. By attending, you give consent to potentially being filmed or interviewed.

• Competitors competing in Premier individual Kata or Premier individual Kumite categories in this event cannot compete as a Development or Intermediate in that discipline (Kata and/or Kumite) in future competitions; i.e. after competing at this event, they are now referred to as Premier competitors in either one or both of Kata and Kumite.

• During the bow at the beginning of the tournament, all players must be in Gi or Club tracksuits and present themselves correctly.

• Coaches must wear their club tracksuits.

• Coaches will need current photo identification on Sportdata (similar to the NZ passport requirement), as the photo ID will be on the above certification. Coaches registered must be 16 years or older.

• No unauthorised persons will be allowed on the tatami at any time.

• Registered coaches should be able to practice First Aid and be aware of the signs of concussion  https://www.accsportsmart.co.nz/concussion/.

• The Organising Committee reserves the right to withdraw, combine or change Event Categories if and when required up to 48 hours before the Competition Opening.

• All players must present themselves to the Registration Table and register before their competitions. (Kumite players may be weighed) - Registration times will be posted once the timetable is finalised.

• Coaches will require an up-to-date photograph in Sportdata. See the guidelines for the checklist for photos.

• WKF Rules will be applied for Premier Grades in this tournament.

• All entries are final. Ensure all entries are completed correctly as incorrect age or weight information may result in disqualification from the tournament.

• Coaches/Clubs, please update your player and coach information in the Sportdata system; athletes get older, heavier/lighter and change grades. (The Sportdata system will only adjust age – not weight or grade).

KATA: 

The judging of the Kata competition for the competitors will follow the WKF flag system.

REQUIREMENTS 

• Premier Kata - any approved WKF Kata. No Repeats as per WKF rules. We will be using the Elimination System with a repechage for individuals. 

• Intermediate - ABAB... minimum requirements - can be repeated but not consecutively. Kata from the Development and Intermediate lists can be performed non-style specific. Kata outside of your style can be used on the provided Kata list. Competitors perform their Kata two at a time, including the final. If a round robin with three competitors, rounds are performed two a time. Intermediate Kata - Kata lists are provided in Downloads.

• Open Male and Female Kata for ages 10-11 Years and 12-13 Years - competitors may perform Kata ABAB… minimum requirements. Competitors perform their Kata two at a time, including the final. If a round robin with three competitors, rounds are performed two at a time.

Team Kata 

• 10 – 13 years Kata can be repeated but not consecutively, Bunkai required for medal rounds

• 14 – 17 years Kata can be repeated but not consecutively, Bunkai required for medal rounds

• 16 years+ Free Kata in all rounds, no repetition permitted, Bunkai required for medal rounds

NB: Competitors must announce the name of the kata they will perform before they start performing it. They must also bow inside the competition area before starting and bow after completing the Kata. The competitor will be disqualified for failing to do so.

Depending on the number of teams entered, different age grades, including male and female, may be combined, with teams performing Bunkai in a single pool format. Teams performing Bunkai have five minutes from the first to the final bow to complete their performance.

KUMITE: 

For ages 13 and under, techniques to the head can score, but absolutely NO contact to the head will be allowed. Any contact (unless by self-endangerment—Mubobi) including skin touch will be penalised. 

WKF points, warning, and penalty systems will be used for all Kumite Events.


For ages 14 and over, the WKF rules will apply.

If there's a high volume of entries within age grades, competitors will be grouped into divisions based on the weight they provided in Sportdata. Please note that these weight categories may not necessarily align with the specific weight classes defined by the World Karate Federation (WKF). However, we aim to avoid creating divisions with only two competitors whenever possible.

KUMITE BOUT DURATION for Male and Female

• 10 – 13 years old 1.5 minutes (Stop Clock)

• 14 – 17 years old 2.0 minutes (as per WKF rules)

• 18 years and older (U’21 and Senior) 3.0 min (as per WKF Rules)

• Veteran & Super Veterans 2.0 minutes

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• All competitors (Kumite and Kata) must wear a clean white Gi in good condition. 

• As competitors, players must follow the WKF rules, i.e. white karate gi without stripes, piping, or personal embroidery.

• ALL KUMITE COMPETITORS MUST WEAR Mouthguards, Body protectors (protection), Red and Blue belts, and Red and Blue hand mitts (matching their competing belts). Foot protectors must match the belt colour. 

• KNZ, Oceania, or WKF must approve all equipment.

• Male Kumite competitors must wear their own groin protectors (KNZ-approved or WKF type)


• Female Kumite 11-year-olds & above – advised to wear an approved chest protector (breast protector) underneath the body protector.

• Head protection is mandatory with the use of a "KNZ approved" or  “WKF Helmet” or “WKF Face Mask” for all U14 categories starting from January 1, 2024

EVENT MANAGEMENT:

Kumite events: 

• With categories with only 3 competitors, a ROUND ROBIN DRAW will be made if time allows.

• With categories with 4-8 competitors, there will be a repechage for a single third place.

• With categories with 9 or more competitors, there will be a repechage for two third-places.

PLEASE NOTE: The players are responsible for listening to the events being called and reporting to the Marshall on time. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.