THE 2012 Australian Karate Federation state championships kick off at the Friends School in Hobart on Sunday.
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About 60 karate students from nine dojos statewide will battle for a podium spot and possibly a place on the Tasmanian team.
Australian national elite squad members and 2012 Australiana Open bronze medallists Kate Jones and Jess Nankivell will be among the medal prospects.
The duo will be using the championships as preparation for the national titles to be conducted in Melbourne from August 3 to 5.
Their participation is a prerequisite as a part of the national elite squad, which will also see them participate in an AIS training camp at the end of June.
Event organisers see these championships as a precursor to the national titles to be held in Hobart in August next year. These are expected to attract 400 athletes.
Competition on the day will include junior, senior and veteran divisions across both kata (patterns) and kumite (sparring) disciplines.
A boon for the championship will be the attendance of world and nationally ranked referees Jon Rawlings (Queensland) and Adam Minster (Victoria), who will be officiating.
Competition starts at 9.30am.
