The Funakoshi Open has a proud history dating back to 1996 when it began as an event for Warrnambool and surrounding districts Karate Schools.  This year marks our 25th annual face to face tournament.  The tournament has evolved and grown over the past 25 years and now welcomes Karate students from all over Australia.  The tournament includes an "all abilities demonstration event" and a demonstration event for kinder karate students.  This year due to Covid 19 we request that all participants provide their own safety equipment.  Their will be no sharing of equipment.  There will be canteen facilities available over the lunch period only.  

VKL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION TOURNAMENT RULES WILL BE USED AT THIS EVENT AS OUTLINED BELOW

 Competitors must have approved protective equipment to enter sparring divisions - including AKF/WKF gloves, shin guards and instep protectors which MUST cover the toes, mouth guard, groin guard for males and chest guard for female cadets and above.

◊ Approved white head protectors are compulsory for children’s divisions.

◊ Body protectors are compulsory for all competitors including seniors. 

◊ Blue and Red belts must be used throughout the Championships.

◊ Competitors will only need either red or blue protective equipment NOT BOTH.

 ◊ 4 & 5 Years kata and 6 & 7 Years kata are “Everyone Wins” events. Competitors perform their kata and ALL receive a medal.

◊ Development Kata Divisions – All categories: ROUND 1 & 2 Shitei Kata (Heian/Pinan/Gekisai/Saifa/Kanshuwa/Taikyoku).  KATA from WKF list.  Funakoshi Kata allowed include Shisome, Enkatsu, Kyuko, Kigai

TOKUI/FREE kata ROUND 3 and after.  WKF list Kata.  Funakoshi Kata allowed include Shisome, Enkatsu, Kyuko, Kigai 

Regardless of number of rounds the FINAL round is always TOKUI-FREE.

Competitors will perform simultaneously in all categories, all rounds. 10th–7th KYU can repeat the same kata every round.

All other divisions can repeat but not consecutively i.e A-B-A-B.

◊ Team Kata Divisions – All categories: TOKUI-FREE kata. Can repeat but not consecutively i.e A-B-A-B NO Bunkai required.

◊ Kumite Bout Times – Development Divisions – 1.5 minutes for ALL divisions with stop-start timer.

◊ Please note: some events may be combined due to insufficient numbers