Scottish Tournament Preparation

Posted on 16th May 2026

By SBN Andrew

The 2026 WKSA Scottish Championships are almost here! This year’s tournament takes place across two venues over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd May 2026 in Winchburgh and Bathgate. Whether you’re competing for the first time or chasing Grand Champion, here’s everything you need to know to be fully prepared.

Event Schedule & Arrival Times

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your division start time. Rings often run ahead of schedule, so stay alert for announcements over the PA system and on the projector screens.

Friday 22nd May 2026

Kuk Sool Won of Bathgate, 14c Blackburn Road, Bathgate, EH48 2EY

15:00 – 3rd & 4th Dahn Adults
16:00 – 2nd & 1st Dahn Adults

Saturday 23rd May 2026

Xcite Winchburgh Sport & Wellbeing Hub, Linlithgow Road, EH52 6FY

9:00 – National Black Belt Testing
11:30 – Judges’ Meeting (all Black Belts must report to the head table)
On completion of tournament – Black Belt Promotions and Demonstration

What to Bring

National Black Belt Testing (Saturday Morning)

National testing takes place on Saturday morning from 9:00am and is a long, often intense session running approximately 2.5 hours. Come prepared — bring plenty of fluids and some fast-digesting snacks (think fruit, sweets, energy gels, or similar) as you will need to keep your energy up throughout and you don’t always get a lot of time for a break.

Make sure you have all weapons required for your rank:

  • DBN – Staff, wooden sword
  • 1st Dahn – Staff, official WKSA sword (no other swords permitted), short staff
  • 2nd Dahn – All of the above, plus double short staff, rope and cane
  • 3rd Dahn – All of the above, plus fans, double short sword and spear
  • 4th Dahn – All of the above, plus an additional sword for the double sword form

Don’t depend on someone else to bring extra, be prepared and arrive with everything you need. Make sure you carry weapons securely in a case, and don’t leave them lying around to go missing.

All Competitors

  • Full Kuk Sool uniform with official WKSA patches
    • Black t-shirt only underneath, no other colours
  • Water and snacks — it can be a long day!

Sparring Competitors

Safety equipment is mandatory for all sparring divisions:

  • Headgear
  • Gum shield
  • Gloves
  • Boots
    • Check tournament rules or ask your school owner about the permitted kind, this has been recently updated
  • Cup (for men)

Shin guards and breast protectors are optional but recommended.

Brown Belts & DBNs

  • Staff (no modifications or tape on the length of the staff, apart from on the very end for identification purposes)

Black Belts

  • Staff and/or sword if entering those divisions
  • Adults must wear Generals Uniform for weapons divisions

Judges

All officials and judges must wear their General’s Uniform. All judges must report to the head table for 11:30am on Saturday.

This tournament is governed by the WKSA Tournament Rules and Guidelines and is open to WKSA members only.

Divisions & How They Work

There are no pre-decided age groups — divisions are split on the day to create fair and even groups depending on numbers. The split could be by age, gender, or both. There must be at least 3 competitors to form a division, and very large divisions may be split further.

Stay alert for ring assignments, which will be announced over the PA and displayed on screens.

Medals are awarded for 1st–4th place. In smaller divisions, medals are awarded based on overall score against the gold standard scoring system.

Grand Champion

Only Black Belts may compete for Grand Champion. To be eligible, you must:

  • Enter all divisions within your rank
  • Earn a minimum of one Gold Medal
  • Accumulate the highest overall points

Grand Champions are determined by total point accumulation across all their divisions.

Key Rules to Remember

Formalities

When your name is called shout “Yes, Sir!” or “Yes, Ma’am” to show you are there and ready. Always bow when you enter or exit the ring. You must then perform a kneeling (if able) bow to the centre judge and say “Judges my name is… Please may I begin?”. Failure to complete this will reduce your score. For techniques you must also announce the techniques you will perform, in the exact order that you perform them. When permission to begin is granted, kneeling bow again and start your performance. Everything is taken into consideration so be neat and tidy around your introduction and getting ready to begin, and remember to kneeling bow again at the end before receiving your score.

For sparring or board breaking, listen to the judges instructions and just go to the side they instruct and listen for their commands at all times.

Sparring

Contact is light to no contact. Scoring zones are the front of the body and the padded areas of the front and sides of the head. Kicks to the head count as two points. The centre judge awards a point when two out of three judges agree on the location and technique.

Techniques

  • Your partner must be no more than one colour belt rank above, or any rank below
  • Black Belts cannot fall for DBNs or any ranks below them
  • Adults cannot partner children under 12
  • Adults partnering a youth (age 13–17) must have no more than 6 inches height difference
  • Falling is mandatory — your partner must fall correctly although no extra points are scored for flamboyant breakfalls

Weapons

Only WKSA-approved weapons are permitted. Judges will check before competition begins. Dropping a weapon is an automatic disqualification.

Breaking

Breaking is for adults (18+) only. The primary criteria for placing is the number of boards broken. In the event of a tie, style and execution are taken into consideration.

Etiquette

Etiquette is the most important element of Kuk Sool Won — judges’ scores are influenced by competitors’ manners and attitude throughout. Never argue with or react negatively to judges. They are unpaid WKSA practitioners doing their best to run a fair event.

If you have a genuine concern, raise it calmly with a tournament official on hand around the venue — that’s what they’re there for.

Spectators

Everyone is welcome to come along and support! Spectator tickets are cash or card. If you entered tournament, keep your wristband for the demonstration as this is included in the tournament fee.

  • Adults – £10
  • Children – £5
  • Under 5s – free

Awards

Every competitor receives a small gift. Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. Trophies go to the Grand Champions. Only first through fifth place schools will receive an award — the winning school also takes home the embroidered velvet WKSA flag, held until next year’s tournament.

Final Tips

  • Rest well in the days before — don’t cram in heavy training in the few days before
  • Stay hydrated throughout the day
  • Bring snacks; you might be waiting between divisions
  • Keep listening for your ring assignment
  • Speak to people and get to know others, this is a rare chance to meet Kuk Sool practitioners from all over the world
  • Enjoy it! Tournament day is one of the highlights of the Kuk Sool year. No matter your result, the time training and experience you gain is the most important thing about tournament.

Good Luck!

We’re looking forward to a fantastic weekend. Train smart, compete with confidence, and remember to enjoy being part of the Kuk Sool family. See you on the mat!