Preparing for the 2025 WKSA UK Championships in Liverpool

Posted on 26th November 2025

By SBN Andrew

The 2025 WKSA UK Championships are almost here! This year’s tournament weekend will take place in Liverpool at Greenbank Academy, Greenbank Lane, Liverpool, L17 1AG. Whether you’re competing, testing, supporting, or joining the Sunday Black Belt training, here’s everything you need 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, and assignments can open early, so stay alert for announcements.

Friday 28th November

09:00 – National Black Belt Testing
13:15 – Demo Practice
16:00 – SBN / PSBN Tournament
17:00 – KSN / JKN Tournament

Saturday 29th November

08:30 – KSN / JKN (17 & Under)
09:00 – DBN / Brown Belts (17 & Under)
10:15 – Red / Blue Belts (17 & Under)
11:15 – Yellow / White Belts (17 & Under)
12:00 – Adult Under Black Belt
16:00 – Demonstration

Sunday 30th November

09:00 – Black Belt Workshop (Also open to DBNs who have started testing for Black Belt)

Judges & Rules

Judges’ team assignments has been shared with school owners who will pass it on to those who have volunteered to judge. If you are judging, arrive early to be in your assigned ring, wear your General’s Uniform, and review the updated 2025 tournament rules to ensure consistent standards across rings.

Key tournament rule highlights include:

  • Only WKSA-approved weapons may be used
    • No tape anywhere along the length of the staff. The only allowed marking is your name on the end of the staff.
  • Sparring is light-to-no contact
  • Technique partners must meet requirements:
    • For colour belts, you may use one rank above (a Yellow belt may throw a Blue belt) or anyone lower ranked
    • No DBN or colour belt may use any Black Belt as a technique partner
    • Black Belts must use the same rank or lower
    • Youths (age 13 to 17) may use adults as partners, as long as there is less than one foot of height difference

Demo Practice & Performance

Demo practice takes place on Friday at 13:15.
The demo is being coordinated by JIKJN Scott Slack. If you would like to take part, please speak to your school owner (SBN Andrew or PSBN Sarah for Glasgow students), who will have information on the demo schedule. Anyone performing in the demo must wear their General’s Uniform.

National Testing (Friday Morning)

If you are testing, please arrive early to allow time to change, warm up, submit paperwork if needed, and prepare your weapons.

Bring:

  • Uniform with WKSA patches
  • Belt
  • Required WKSA-approved weapons for your rank
    • DBNs: Staff and wooden sword
    • Black Belts: All weapons for the syllabus you know
  • Water
  • High-energy snacks
  • Any necessary paperwork

Black Belts not testing should attend in their General’s Uniform to help run the testing.

Black Belt Adult Tournament (Friday Afternoon)

Black Belt competitors should bring:

  • Training uniform and General’s Uniform
  • Required weapons for your competition (staff, sword, short staff, etc.)
  • WKSA-approved sparring gear
    • Boots, gloves, headgear, mouthguard, groin guard (males)
    • Optional shin guards / chest protectors
  • Water and snacks
  • A positive mental attitude and good etiquette – you should lead by example at Black Belt level

Keep your competitor wristband for Saturday entry.

Under Black Belt and Under-18 JKN/KSN Tournament (Saturday)

All Under Black Belt and youth 1st and 2nd Dahn competitors should arrive early and listen for ring assignments.

Bring:

  • Full uniform with correct WKSA patches
  • Relevant weapons for your competition if applicable
  • WKSA-approved sparring gear
  • Water

Important – Staff Requirements for Brown Belts & DBNs

Tournament rules strictly require that:

  • No tape, markings, designs, grips, or modifications are allowed anywhere along the length of the staff
  • Only name or ownership markings are allowed, and only on the END of the staff

Students may need to remove any tape before competing.

Etiquette

Remember etiquette is the most important element of martial arts training. Never argue with judges or react negatively. Judges are volunteers and are doing their best to keep everyone safe and score fairly, please treat them with respect and kindness. If you have a genuine concern please raise it politely with the ring captain or arbitrator (ask who that is if you are unsure).

Keep your competitor wristband for entry to the demonstration.

Spectators

Spectators are welcome at all events including the Masters Exhibition.

Pricing:

  • Adults £10
  • Children £5
  • Under 5s free
    Competitor wristbands allow entry for the full weekend.

Arrive early to secure a good seat for the demonstration.

Sunday Black Belt Training (30th November)

Open to:

  • All Black Belts
  • DBNs in a JKN testing cycle (aged 12+)

Schedule:
08:30 – School owners arrive for presentation
09:00–13:00 – Training session

Bring:
All weapons for your rank

Training includes:

  • Archery
  • Weapons sparring
  • Techniques
  • Jahp Ki methods
  • Weapons techniques

Final Tips for the Weekend

  • Rest well
  • Stay hydrated
  • Avoid heavy training in the final days
  • Bring snacks
  • Keep listening for announcements
  • Support your teammates
  • Enjoy the event — it’s one of the highlights of the Kuk Sool year

Good Luck!

We’re looking forward to an amazing weekend in Liverpool. Train well, perform confidently, and enjoy being part of our Kuk Sool family.