Rules for Selection of Divisions

• Definition of an elite athlete for the purposes of VKL: An elite athlete is someone who has been a member of the Victorian team in either of the previous two years. Please note this does not include reserves.

• 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 state team 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 division in Kumite.

• 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 however, an athlete who has entered both Divisions and places 1^st or 2^nd in the Elite Division cannot participate in the Development Divisions in future events.

Tournament Entry

All entries to the VKL tournaments must be done via SET Australia Online website: https://www.sportdata.org/karate/set-online/index.php

Equipment Requirements

Elite Divisions

• All athletes entered into the Elite Divisions are to provide ALL their own equipment as per AKF/WKF rules.

• WKF or AKF head protectors with facemask are compulsory for children’s divisions.

• Body protectors are compulsory for all competitors including seniors.

• Blue and Red belts will be used throughout the Championships.

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

Elite Kata Divisions 

• 13 yrs and under: ROUND 1 and 2 Shitei kata. TOKUI/FREE kata ROUND 3 and after.
  13 yrs and under: Regardless of number of rounds, the FINAL round is always TOKUI-FREE
  13 yrs and under will perform simultaneously - all rounds except medal rounds.
  13 yrs and under can repeat but not consecutively i.e A-B-A-B
  14 yrs and above: AKF Rules - TOKUI-FREE kata NO repeats
   

Elite Kumite Divisions

• 13 years and under 1.5 minutes; 14 years and over 2 minutes; Senior Men’s Divisions 3 minutes. All stop-start timer.

• Competitors 45 years and over entering Kumite must supply a medical clearance (issued within the last 2 weeks) on competition day to Event Manager.

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

Victorian State Team Selection

All athletes seeking selection in the Victorian State Team MUST have participated in the Victorian State Championships the same year. Athletes seeking selection in the State Team to compete at the National Championships are encouraged to enter the Elite Divisions. Points accumulated over the four VKL tournaments in the Elite Divisions will be considered in the process of State Team selection. PLEASE NOTE IT IS NOT COMPULSORY TO ENTER THE VKL FOR SELECTION INTO THE VICTORIAN STATE TEAM.

Coaches Requirements

Coaches are to wear full tracksuits including footwear (no thongs or sandals) while coaching at VKL events. They are not required to have AKF-KIA qualifications or coach’s passes/photo id.