Welcome to the South West Open Championships Sunday 9th November 2008
Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, Weston-super-Mare. BS22 8LY

brought to you in association with

It's here again! The 5th South West Open date is now officially confirmed for Sunday 9th November 2008 and again in the Weston-super Mare venue. What's new for 2008? Well we have 5 full size areas of national level quality mats all less than 12 months old! All areas covered by again by National level referees with new electronic scoreboards imported from Italy! New categories have been added from last time which further sees the splitting of boys and girls both Kata and Kumite. The veteran Kata category is staying and weight divisions have been added within age groups of the most populated junior categories. We have also added by demand a "pairs kata" both junior and senior where any two club members can team up and compete against other teams.

Also new this year is our "Kid Kick" system where both under 10 fighters compete against our special floor mounted kick bags and are judged on technique and control. This along with the ever popular Parent & Child Kata event ensures that this date should not be missed.

This year we are again very pleased to have secured continued sponsorship from Kachi-Do who are the premier UK supplier of Arawaza, Tokaido, Budo Nord, SIS and Opro amongst others. Kachi-Do are also the new official sponsors of the England National Team. Click here for their website.

Both 2007 events saw nearly 700 entries from over 50 clubs and associations and the same are expected this time. For 2008 we have 5 national level quality area's and with over 300 spectators last time we have again arranged for fully banked seating to enable you to see all the action! The South West Open Championships draws a large entry and crowd from some of the very best clubs in England, Wales and Ireland with many National Team competitors vying for a medal position. We even had competitors from the outside the UK last time!

To continue to promote fairness and consistency all 5 areas will be presided over by fully qualified English and Welsh National referees under the expert guidance of Chief Referee Mr Vince Parker ( European qualified in both kata and Kumite)

The event will again cater for national level competitors as well as first time beginners and veterans as successfully demonstrated last time. The event also recognizes that many clubs have younger members and this is reflected in some of the new categories added to give them a chance to compete. The continuation to promote the family aspect of karate sees the Parent and Child "Pairs" Kata as launched in Japan. A Parent and one of their Children perform their Kata together as a team and are judged as per team Kata. We will also be including the Special Needs Kata category in our continuing aim to make competition Karate accessible to everyone.

Efforts will be made to ensure medallists get the recognition they deserve. Each round will be take through to the final on the area and awards presented on the central podium.

As per last year, registered Coaches will be provided with refreshments when required free of charge in recognition of their hard work. And as stated above all competitors will get free sports drinks.

Our main sponsors Kachi-Do will be attending this year who will have all the latest Arawaza, Tokaido gear as well as those last minute essentials such as mitts. Event T-shirts will be available for sale to commemorate the day and you will even be able to get your competition belts embroidered while you wait!

I sincerely hope that you can make this year's event whether returning from last time or coming here for the fist time you will be made most welcome. Entry packs can be obtained by following the link below.

Entry packs available on this page NOW or email simon@imperialkarate.com to register and we'll send you a pack.

For a location map click here

For an entry pack click here

Simon O'Brien

South West Open Organiser