Westcoast Open

International Karate Championships

International-style karate championships — kata, kumite, and kobudo for youth and adult competitors, white belt through black.

Countdown to the mat
00
Days
00
Hrs
00
Min
00
Sec
Pierce College Health Education Center GymSunday, October 11, 2026 · Lakewood, WA
Event Date
Oct 11, 2026
Venue
Pierce College HEC
Early-Bird Deadline
Sat, Oct 3
Spectator Gate
$8 · 5&under free
About the tournament

Two Colors.
One Tatami.

Every match at the Westcoast Open is scored the traditional way — aka on the red side, ao in the blue. Aka and Ao face each other. Aka on the referees right side for every limit and kata match. That rule shapes how we run the whole event: clear divisions, fair brackets, and a competition floor open to first-year students and seasoned black belts alike.

Whether you're stepping onto a tournament mat for the first time or chasing a regional title, you'll compete in a division sized to your age and rank.

AKA

Red Side

Called first to the mat for every kumite and kata match.

AO

Blue Side

Second call, opposite side of the ring or performance line.

#

Repechage Bracket

Each bracket consist of two pools with third place determined by winner between the two pools.

A Letter From The Tournament Director

Welcome

Dear Sensei, Coach, and Athlete,

We are pleased and honored to invite you to participate in the 2026 West Coast Open Martial Arts Championships on Sunday, October 11, 2026. This year's event will once again be held at the beautiful Pierce College Gymnasium in Lakewood, WA — a perfect venue that allows us to organize an enjoyable event for everyone.

This competition will feature senseis and competitors from Canada and across the USA, including Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Montana, and Idaho. The quality of the competition and officiating promises once again to be the finest in the USA.

We are proud to have the assistance and sponsorship of the Pierce County South Sound Sports Commission and appreciate their hard work in making this a successful event. We are also grateful to our ring and medal sponsors, whose support helps greatly to enhance the experience of parents, spectators, and athletes.

Our referee corps are amongst the best in the USA and are committed to ensuring a fair and safe playing field for everyone. Our volunteer staff, as you all know, provide the accommodating support that ensures a smooth-running tournament.

All competitors, officials, and volunteers are welcome to participate in this goodwill event, so mark your calendars for Sunday, October 11th, and join us at the 2026 West Coast Open International Martial Arts Championships.

RulesModified WKF / USANKF rules will be used
Online Registrationkaratetmaster.com — $10 late fee added after October 3rd
Sincerely,
Chuck Sweigart
Tournament Director
Member, USA Karate Referee Committee
Region 1 Lead Referee · World Karate Federation Referee
Entry Fees

Divisions & Fees

Enter your first division, then add more at a flat rate. Coaches and spectators are priced separately.

First Division
Covers entry into one competitive division — kata, kumite, or kobudo.
$90$100 after Oct 3
Each Additional Division
Add more kata or kumite divisions to the same competitor at a flat rate.
+$10per division
Kobudo
Surcharge
+$20
Ringside Coach Pass
Mat-side access for one coach per competitor or team.
$25per coach
Spectator Gate
General admission at the door. Children 5 and under are admitted free.
$8per person
Register your first division before Saturday, October 3, 2026 to lock in the $90 rate — it rises to $100 after that date.
Estimate your cost

Entry Fee Calculator

1
0
Add ringside coach pass — $25
Estimated Total
$90
Continue to Registration
Tournament Day

Schedule

The full run of show for October 11, by age division.

8:00 AM

Check-In / Late Registration

8:00 AM

All Team Kata & Team Kumite

8:30 AM

Competition Begins

All 5, 6–7 year old kata and kumite to staging.

9:00 AM

All 8–9 year old kata

9:30 AM

All 10–11 year old kata to staging

10:30 AM

All 12–13 year old kata to staging

11:00 AM

All 14–15 year old kata to staging

12:00 PM

All 16–17 year old kata to staging

All 18–34 year old kata and kumite to staging · 35+ kata and kumite.

1:00 PM

All 8–9 year old kumite to staging

1:30 PM

All 10–11 year old kumite to staging

2:00 PM

All 12–13 year old kumite to staging

2:30 PM

All 14–15 year old kumite to staging

3:00 PM

All 16–17 year old kumite to staging

Times are approximate and may shift depending on the size of each division. Listen for staging calls throughout the day.
Location

The Venue & Host Hotel

Tournament Venue

Pierce College Health Education Center Gym

9401 Farwest Drive SW
Lakewood, WA 98498
ParkingFree on-campus parking for competitors, coaches, and spectators.
From I-5Exit 124 (Gravelly Lake Dr), head west — campus is on your right off Farwest Dr SW.
From SeaTacApproximately 40 miles / 45 minutes south via I-5.
Host Hotel

Best Western Liberty Inn DuPont

1400 Wilmington Drive
DuPont, WA 98327
Special West Coast Open Rate
$135/ night + tax
Reserve by September 19th. Mention "West Coast Open" when booking.
Call 253-912-8777
IncludedFree hot breakfast daily · Indoor pool
AmenitiesFree high-speed wireless internet · Free parking
DistanceApproximately 15 minutes from Pierce College via I-5
Best Western Liberty Inn DuPont exterior at night
🏨
Best Western Liberty Inn DuPont
With Thanks To

Our Sponsors

The Westcoast Open runs because these local businesses back it. Thank you for supporting youth and adult martial arts in the South Sound.

Enter the Mat

Register

Competitor registration is handled on our official registration platform, KarateTMaster. Use the fee calculator above to estimate your total, then register there.

Official Registration

Register on KarateTMaster

You'll create or sign in to a KarateTMaster account, select your divisions, and pay entry fees directly through their platform.

Before You Register

  • Have each competitor's full name, date of birth, and current belt rank ready.
  • Coach passes are per competitor or team, not per coach entry.
  • Refunds are not issued for no-shows; contact us for injury exceptions.
Questions

FAQ

The Westcoast Open is open to youth and adult competitors of all belt ranks, from first-year white belts through black belt. Divisions are grouped by age and rank so athletes compete against peers.

Select every division you're entering when you register on KarateTMaster. Your first division is $90 (before the early-bird deadline), each additional kata or kumite division is a flat $10, and each additional kobudo division is $20.

First-division entry rises from $90 to $100 for any registration submitted after Saturday, October 3, 2026, including at-the-door entries.

No — spectator admission is $8 per person at the door. Children age 5 and under are admitted free.

Yes, with a ringside coach pass ($25), which grants mat-side access for one coach per competitor or team throughout the day.