FAQs
You'll find answers to frequently asked questions about the GKR World Cup below.
You'll find answers to frequently asked questions about the GKR World Cup below.
This is an open competition and is available to all GKR Karate students.
All entries must be completed online using the official entry form, before the closing date Sunday July 5th.
Entries will not be accepted after the closing date.
No, competitor entry includes access for all days.
Yes, spectator tickets can be purchased for individual days or as a full event pass.
Full pricing and options are available here:
If you’re unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible.
All entries are non-refundable, but we’ll review any exceptional circumstances where appropriate. Use the contact us form here.
Yes, once you have entered you should receive a confirmation email. This email will confirm your payment and events entered.
It will also have your Digital certificate as your country’s National Representative, which can be used for digital resumes, social media or even printed. It will also have several letters that can be used to assist you with potential time away from commitments or to receive exposure from local newspapers etc.
If you have not received your confirmation email, please check your junk mail folder and if it is not there, please contact us here.
Once all entries have been placed into a schedule, GKR shall be uploading the official timetable for the event on the World Cup website. Please check this in the days leading up to the event.
As an overview, please note the following:
We recommend joining our World Cup event page on Facebook for notifications on when we update the website with key information.
Pre-ordered GKR Karate World Cup Gloves:
Australian & New Zealand Competitors – Available at the WC venue for pick-up from Friday night
UK Competitors – We will endeavour to distribute these to you directly prior to the event depending on overseas freight conditions. Otherwise, they will be available for collection at the WC venue from the Friday night. We will keep you informed either way.
National Team Jackets & Country Patches
Australian & New Zealand Competitors – Sent to your nominated delivery address unless otherwise arranged
UK Competitors – We will endeavour to distribute these to you directly prior to the event depending on overseas freight conditions. Otherwise, they will be available for collection at the WC venue from the Friday night. We will keep you informed either way.
Other WC Merchandise
Other items such as WC hoodies, t-shirts etc. will be available online for pre-order from the beginning of May 2026. Depending on the country of order, these will either be sent to your nominated delivery address prior to the WC (time permitting) or be available for collection at the WC venue. It is also expected that these particular items will be available for purchase in limited numbers at the WC venue.
Yes, you can enter individual kata or kumite events specific to your age and grade.
Where a competitor may be eligible to enter more than one age/grade division, they are only able to enter one for both kata and kumite.
Use our event checker to see which events you are eligible for.
Note: There are also team events available for most age groups.
Competitors must enter divisions appropriate to their age and grade
– 16/17 year old Black Belts must enter the Junior Open
– 18–34 year old Black Belts must enter the Open Division
– Competitors aged 34+ may also enter the Open Division
In some rare instances, divisions may be merged with another similar age/grade division.
Full details on kata requirements and kihon combinations will be provided separately.
Please refer to the official rules or event information closer to the competition.
For all kumite events, the following is compulsory:
White shin guards are not permitted unless the competitor is under 10 years old.
Competitors only require a mouth guard for this event.
Kickshields will be provided on the day, however you may bring your own if you wish.
If a competitor is not able to compete in kumite or kick shield sumo safely without glasses, then they:
If you are unsure, please contact us in advance.
No, yellow belts must choose to enter their specific age divisions for EITHER
White – Yellow belt (10th – 8th Kyu) Kick-shield Sumo
Or
Up to Green belt (6th Kyu) Kumite.
Ie: They can enter one or the other – not both.
This is because these two age-specific divisions may take place at the same time on separate rings.
Team Kata is open entry for all ages
Team Kumite includes both open-entry and selection-only divisions:
Selected team kumite competitors will be notified of their invitation prior to the event.
No – not for the 2026 WC. 14-17yrs team kumite divisions, as well as 18yrs plus team kumite divisions are selection only events.
Once a competitor has been selected into a team, they may fill out their online entry for Team Kumite
Yes, photography and filming will take place during the event.
GKR Karate is not responsible for photographs or video recordings taken by third parties, including parents, guardians, or other participants, during classes or tournaments.
Where such content is shared on GKR Karate managed social media platforms, we will, upon request, take reasonable steps to review and remove the content in line with internal policy.
For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.