British Karate Federation News

British International Open Championships 2012 report

Oct 12, 2012

Glasgow was again host to the British International Open Championships this year. The WKF sanctioned event has grown year on year and this was the biggest yet with:

1166 Entries (Cadet/Junior /Senior – 676 entries, Children – 490 entries)
600 Competitors
93 Clubs
22 Countries
54 Referees from the Home Nations and Denmark

8 Tatami's were in operation each day to accommodate the 98 categories. Cadets / Juniors & Seniors took to the floor on Saturday 6th October, with entries totalling 676. Children were on Sunday and their entries were 490. Credit must go to the organisers for the smooth running of the event. Referees, Judges, and Table Officials are also to be commended for their contribution. There was a great sense of camaraderie amongst the officials from all nations and everybody worked tirelessly.

The event also saw the launch of the “K is on the Way” campaign with the “K Day” being launched world-wide on the Sunday during the official opening Ceremony. The British Karate Federation spent over €6000 on advertising and promoting the “K Day”. The venue prominently displayed “K Day” Banners & Posters, along with the competitors wearing specially designed stickers on the backs of their Gi’s whilst competing.

The “K Day” also witnessed BKF Vice-President Mick Billman introducing David Smith, 2012 Gold Medal Paralympian Rower, who had come along to lend his support to the “K is on the Way” campaign. The audience gave him a rapturous reception and were then informed by Mick that David had accepted an offer to become a Patron for the BKF. This was met with even more applause, especially as David is a Scot.

David had previously trained in karate and told the BKF that he believes the only reason he pulled through from a period of serious ill health was due to the spirit of karate, and watching DVD’s of such greats as Ticky Donovan OBE, and Wayne Otto OBE.

David happily mingled with the competitors and spectators on the Sunday, with the children making the most of the photo opportunities, plus getting the chance to see and hold an Olympic Gold Medal, something which, hopefully, they will manage to do in their own right in 2020.

Two years ago saw the introduction of disability kata both for able-bodied and wheelchair competitors. The BKF again ran the categories this year and entries were even higher than previous years, it was again a huge success, requiring two areas. The highlight for this category was when two of the competitors, Derek Darvill and Peter McCann, were asked to demonstrate their katas during the Opening Ceremony. This brought the crowd to their feet and the applause lasted for over two minutes.

The final part of the Opening Ceremony came when the referees and children were lined up and Mick asked the audience to get to their feet and join in while, on the count of three, the children turned their backs to the cameras to display the K Day posters, and everyone in the stadium shouted, at the top of their voices “The K is on the Way”.

We now, however, say goodbye to the Kelvin Hall, as next year the event will be moving to the new Commonwealth Stadium. This was the last event to be held at the Kelvin Hall, which has been a major venue for the last 120 years and we look forward to seeing you at the new stadium.

All contents Copyright © 2013 British Karate Federation

The BKF would like to thank Mick Billman of Vigilance Resources Ltd (VRLtd) for sponsoring the maintenance of the BKF website.
The BKF would like to thank Shitokai Scotland for funding the design of the new BKF logo. To visit the Shitokai website please click here.
The BKF would like to thank Nick and Trevor Matthews of Matthews Haulage Ltd, Hertford, for sponsoring the maintenance of the BKF website.
The BKF would like to thank Mr G Sahota of the Traditional International Shotokan Karate Association (TISKA) for sponsoring the maintenance of the BKF website.