Dear Karate Friends,

On behalf of the Organizers: Polish Karate Union, KSA Atemi, the Municipality of Bielsko-Biała, I have the honour to invite you to participate in the 17th POLISH OPEN – Grand Prix Bielsko-Biała in Karate, which will be held from 7th to 8th of October 2023. Over a dozen years, POLISH OPEN, from a small tournament for children and youth, has grown into one of the largest karate tournaments in Europe, which was entered into the calendar of the European Karate Federation since 2019.

The competition will take place as every year in the modern sports hall "Pod Dębowcem" – the same venue as for the European Games 2023, and will be played on 10 tatami. It will be an international ranking tournament for athletes associated in the Polish Karate Union and qualification tournament for many national federations.

The honorary patronage over the event was taken by Mr Jarosław Klimaszewski the President of Bielsko-Biała, Mr Kamil Bortniczuk Minister of Sport and Tourism, and Polish Olympic Committee. 

Very strong representations, members of national teams with the best karatekas from around the globe, medallists of the European Championships and the World Championships have already announced their participation in POLISH OPEN. The Chief Referee of POLISH OPEN is Mr Robert Hamara. Many judges and referees with international licenses (EKF/WKF) will work in the referee panel.

All members of WKF are admitted to participate in Bielsko-Biała, at the foothill of Beskidy Mountains. We will do our best to make you feel like at home. I wish competitors successful performances, coaches and officials satisfaction with the results, and spectators many sports emotions.

Best regards,

Paweł Połtorzecki
President
Polish Karate Union 

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE:

- Friday 06.10.2023:

Official registration session and weigh-in for Kumite Juniors, U21 and Seniors will take place at the sports hall on Friday (06.10.2023) from 3 pm to 8 pm.

- Saturday 07.10.2023:

08:00 – 13:00 – Kata Cadets, Juniors, U21, Seniors, Masters
13:00 – 14:00 – Para-karate
13:00 – 22:30 – Kumite Juniors, U21, Seniors, Masters

Weigh-in for Kumite Cadets and U14 will take place at the sports hall on Saturday (07.10.2023)  from 7 am to 8 pm.

- Sunday 08.10.2023:

08:00 – 12:00 – Kata U8 – U14
12:00 – 21:00 – Kumite Cadets, U14, U12, U10