On Sunday 1 November 2026, the 2026 Sunshine Coast Open Traditional Karate & Kobudo Championships comes to the school hall at Kuluin State School. It’s hosted by ICKFA (Sunshine Coast Branch), and it’s open to competitors from any traditional karate or kobudo style.
Open in practice, not just in name
There’s no fixed kata list. Competitors perform any traditional kata from the syllabus of the style they train in, and judges are directed not to mark a kata down for differing from the version taught in their own style. Judging looks at basics, body control and effective application. Bo and sai kata follow the same principle.
Events
- Kata, by age group, from 9 and under to 40 and over
- Bo kata and sai kata
- Bogu kumite, by age group from 7 and under, and by weight for adults
Bogu kumite is fought in full protective equipment (body armour, headgear with a face mask, gloves and shin protectors), so controlled contact can be scored cleanly, with a referee and four corner judges on every match. A pool of headgear and body armour is available to borrow on the day at no cost.
Because bogu kumite is new to many dojos, competitors from outside Chito-Ryu can enter kumite once either they or their dojo instructor has attended an Introduction to Bogu Kumite session (an instructor who attends covers all of their students). Chito-Ryu members don’t need to. Kata, bo and sai are open to everyone.
Introduction to Bogu Kumite
Free two-hour session on the equipment, the rules and scoring, and safe training, with time on the floor to try it. Open to anyone aged 10 and over, from any style or dojo, whether or not you’re entering the tournament.
- Sunday 11 October, 9–11 am: Sunshine Coast Karate, 2/14 Depot St, Maroochydore
Register for a session on Taikai.
Referee clinic
Want to referee? The free clinic is on Saturday 31 October, 1–3 pm at Sunshine Coast Karate, for ages 16 and over. Referees from outside Chito-Ryu need to be shodan or above and to attend the clinic; brown belts are welcome to come and learn the rules. Only those ranked shodan or above in kobudo referee the kobudo events. Register for the clinic.
Entries
- Standard entries close Sunday 18 October, 11.59 pm: $50 for the first event, $10 for each extra event, or $150 per family.
- Late entries close Sunday 25 October, 11.59 pm: $60 for the first event, $15 for each extra event, or $180 per family.
- Family rates cover parents and children under 21.
Enter on Taikai, where you’ll also find the full division list and the rules as they’re published.
Sunshine Coast Karate families: please use the entry link in your members’ email. We’ll also need volunteers and table officials on the day; if you can help, let us know at the dojo or register as a volunteer on Taikai. Our Tournament Squad trains for events like this every Friday.
Kuluin State School, 41–67 Tallow Wood Drive, Kuluin QLD 4558.
