The Funakoshi Karate Open has been held as an annual event in the regional town of Warrnambool in South West Victoria for the past 27 years.  Warrnambool is a great place to spend a few days visiting, beaches, bushland, hot springs at Deep Blue Resort, cafes and resteraunts.  Warrnambool is close by the Great Ocean Road and is a 3-4 hour drive from Melbourne.

Date:  Sunday July 21st.  Development events start after elite events.  

Venue:  Warrnambool Stadium (ARC Stadium) 71-77 Caramut Road Warrnambool Victoria 3280

Tournament Entry:

All Entries via SET Australia Online website.

Entry Costs:

$85.00 for the first Event

$15.00 for each additional event.

Spectators: Free Entry

Payment:  Direct deposit into the following bank account.

FKIA Tournament Development Committee Inc (Bendigo Bank)

BSB:  633 000

Account:  187 899 133

Please use competitors name as a reference.

All competitors will be placed on a waitlist until entry fee received.

Development Divisions:

Rules WKF / AKF / VKL rules. 

Funakoshi Kata also allowed for this tournament.

Age as at day of tournament applies to this tournament.

Start Time: Development Divisions will beginning after Elite Divisions

Divisions may be merged if there are insufficient competitors.

Rules for Selection of Divisions:

Definition of an elite athlete (VKL definition used):

• An elite athlete is someone who has been a member of the Victorian team in either of the previous two years.
• Any athlete who meets the above criteria must ONLY enter the Elite Divisions.  However, this only applies to the discipline in which they have achieved selection eg if a competitor is a member of the State Team in Kata but not in Kumite, they are permitted to enter the Development Divisions.
• Athletes who do not meet the definition of an elite athlete may enter the Development Divisions.  These athletes may also choose to enter the Elite Divisions.

Equipment Requirements for Development Divisions:

All athletes are to provide ALL their own equipment.

• 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.

• Traditional white karate gi must be worn.

• However, competitors will only need either red or blue protective equipment NOT BOTH.

• If a contestant comes into the area inappropriately dressed they will be allowed one minute to remedy matters, otherwise they will be disqualified.

Development Kumite Divisions:

All Divisions

1.5 minutes with stop-start timer.

Coaches Requirements:

Coaches are to wear full tracksuits with footwear (no thongs/sandals).

• Development Kata Divisions – All categories: ROUND 1 & 2 Shitei Kata (Heian/Pinan/Gekisai/Saifa/Kanshuwa/Taikyoku). TOKUI/FREE kata ROUND 3 and after. 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.  Funakoshi Kata allowed for this tournament.

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

For enquiries or further assistance please contact Sarah Irving 0422 677 713