Kumite Contest Kumite or the free sparring consists of a match between two persons. A single but controlled attack, undeflected or unblocked, landing directly to one of the vital points shall be considered by the judges as constituting a point. However, an actual blow is prohibited in the contest. The attack nevertheless must be stopped or controlled at the reachable distance of the target area (face neck or midsection). The rules of contest of this tournament provide that contestants must have attained certain rank requirements and have had a certain period of training before they may participate. This is so, that the contestants have trained long enough that they have developed complete control of their mind and body. Officiating The contest is judged by one referee and four assistant judges. The referee shall have the sole responsibility for the ocnduct of the bout. His decision shall be final and without appeal. He shall be impartial and shall meet promptly and in a spirit of good sportsmanship any situation which develops unexpectedly in the course of the match. The referee shall act as a judge in declaring a point or disqualification. The judges shall be stationed in the corner areas and are expected to move along whe side lines so as to have an excellent view of the match at all times. They shall not encorach upon the contest area and well endavor to stay opporite each other. Judges and referees will not if at all possible, officiate bouts with their own students or system, as contestants. Three of the five officialsmust be in accord to award a point. Duration of Matches Junior, White belt and Brown belt divisions last two minutes or three points, whichever comes first. Black belt division will be three minutes or three points, whichever comes first. The Grand Championship match shall be three two minute rounds with a minute rest between rounds. The winner will be determined at the end by a total accumulated points. Kata Contest Kata, is a systematically organized series of defensive and offensive techniques which is performed with four to eight imaginary opponents. In the performance of the Kata, the performer must execute each movement with full awareness of its meaning. At the same time, each technique must be part of the flow and unity of the total body movement. The art of the Kata is based upon three main factors, and they are techniques, speed and strength. These are the factors that the judges consider in judging kata competition, in addition of vigor, attitudes and self control displayed by the performers. Each contestant performs his favorite Kata. The judge group consist of five judges including one chief-judge. The highest and lowest points are discarded and the total of the three remaining scores are added together for the contestants final score. [ Next ] [ Previous ] [ Table of Contents ]