An open tournament, in practice as well as in name

Competitors from any traditional karate or kobudo style or organisation are welcome. The rules have been written to make that real rather than nominal: there is no fixed kata list, and no style's syllabus sets the standard.

Competitors may use any traditional karate kata from a recognised syllabus of the style in which they train. Judges evaluate basics, body control and effective application of the performance. Judges are expressly directed not to penalise a kata for differing from the version taught in their own style. Kobudo bo and kobudo sai kata follow the same principle.

About bogu kumite

Bogu kumite is fought in full protective equipment: body armour, headgear with a face mask, gloves and shin/instep protectors. It allows controlled contact to be scored cleanly and judged clearly, with a referee and four corner judges on every match.

For most dojos outside our organisation this will be an unfamiliar format, so we are introducing it carefully. Competitors from dojos outside Chito-Ryu can enter kumite once they, or their dojo instructor, have attended an Introduction to Bogu Kumite session. An instructor who attends covers all of their students, and Chito-Ryu members are exempt.  That is a safety measure, not an exclusion. The sessions are free, open to anyone aged 10 and over from any style or dojo, and you'll put the gear on and try it yourself. Kata, bo kata and sai kata are open to every competitor with no such requirement.

Why we're doing it this way

We would rather build something that lasts than fill a hall once. Starting deliberately — with instructors who understand the format, rules that treat every style fairly, and officials who know what they are looking at — is how a tournament earns the trust to become a circuit.

Seminar dates (introduction to bogu kumite): 

• Sat 10 Oct, 3–5 pm: Gold Coast Karate & Kobudo, Ashmore
• Sun 11 Oct, 9–11 am: Sunshine Coast Karate, Maroochydore

Protective Equipment

We hold a pool of bogu (head gear and body gear) available on loan on tournament day at no cost.

Apart from this, all competitors must supply their personal protective equipment:

• Gloves

• Shin/instep protectors

• Mouth guard

• Groin guard (male competitors)

Entry Fees

Standard entries close: Sunday 18 October 2026, 11.59pm. Two weeks before the event.

Final divisions will be set at this point in time based on entries received up until this point in time.

• $50 for the first event

• $10 for each additional event. 

• OR $150 per family (flat rate).

• $60 for the first event

• $15 for each additional event. 

• OR $180 per family (flat rate).

Tournament Rules

[Official Rules Coming Soon]

In the meantime, the rules for this tournament will be based on the rules for 15th International Soke Cup.  Please note, the Soke Cup rules are style specific (Chito-Ryu).  The official rules for this tournament will be adapted so that they are not specific to any one style of karate.

Enquiries

https://www.karatedo.org.au/contact-us/