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PRECINCT LIVING

People often

ask me exactly

how Karate

competitions

work and how

they are judged.

BY BERNARD BUYS
KARATE
BY BERNARD BUYS
COMPETITIONS

Lower ranking belts and younger techniques, such as Tsuki (punching),
competitors will usually begin first, followed Keri (kicking) and Uchi (striking) one’s
by the older competitors. Draw sheets, opponent. There are two types of scores
similar to those used in tennis matches, given: the first is Ippon (full point) and the
dictate the order in which competitors second is Waza-ari (half point).
take part. The fields are reduced at each Competitors are allocated 2 minutes in
stage - from 64 to 32 to 16 to 8, and which to use their techniques to score and
ultimately down to the last 4 from which the secure a win. If, within this allocated time,
medallists are determined. none of the competitors have scored a
point or the points are tied, then a re-match
In individual Kata, competitors, in red/white will take place. (In the case of the junior
pairs, demonstrate a favourite Kata within elite competitors a sudden death match,
their abilities; four corner judges together will follow, with the first to score a point
with a main centre judge will determine to be awarded the match and in the case
the more apt competitor based on certain of senior elite competitors, the winner is
criteria such as correct sequence of determined after two such re-matches.)
movements, contraction/expansion of Judges will ultimately make a decision
muscles, speed, power, and correct on positive attitude, violations during the
application of fast/slow and soft/hard previous matches etc. in an attempt to
movements. In JKA, we often subscribe to decide a final winner, should the scores still
the notion that Kata is Kumite and Kumite be tied at the end of re-match(es).
is Kata, meaning that one’s Kata ought to
look like you are fighting someone (albeit The requirements for scoring an Ippon are as
I ought to look as neat and perfect like a distance and accuracy; focus and finishing of
follows: Timing (opponent could not defend);
an invisible opponent) and that Kumite
will try to explain the basic principles
of Karate competitions as best I can
the technique on target; and the effectiveness
Kata when one is scoring a technique
and in the most understandable way
of the technique while not causing injury in
against an opponent.
possible. However, please note that
there are plenty of details which I will KUMITE the execution thereof. The requirements for
scoring a Waza-ari are as follows: Successful
not be able to go into here for purposes Novice (white to red belt) competitors scoring of a technique (similar to the scoring
of keeping it as short and simple as do basic pre-arranged Kumite at of an Ippon as above) but not fulfilling the
possible. championships. Competitors are judged required criteria of an Ippon.
mostly on their form since the aim is not to
KATA make contact in these divisions, but rather Students love to compete in Karate
In JKA Karate competitions, although for competitors to appear near flawless in championships and it does wonders for
we are competitive in nature and the the execution of their various techniques their self-confidence and character to
obvious aim is to win one’s Kata and/ which may include a combination of be able to perform in front of people on
or Kumite match, one must never punching, blocking, counter attacking and/ a stage. Just to compete in itself is the
forget that the rules of courtesy and or kicking. This is in preparation for novice goal. In the words of the founding father of
respect (always) still apply. One must competitors to ultimately ready themselves modern Karate himself, Gichin Funakoshi
therefore bow while entering as well as to compete in Jiyu Kumite (free sparring) Sensei, he said “The ultimate aim of the
exiting the competition area. When the which forms part of the elite competition. art of Karate lies not in victory or defeat,
competition is about to begin, there will but in the perfection of the character of its
be a line-up of competitors. Each floor Scoring in Jiyu Kumite is done through participants.”
will accommodate a specific belt, age and
gender group. Novice divisions (white
to red belts) and Elite divisions (brown If you would like to join the Dainfern JKA Karate family, classes are held at
and black belts) are held separately and The Pavilion in the Dainfern Golf Estate on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
even on separate days due to the sheer For more information please contact:
number of competitors. It is for example Bernard Buys (5th Dan, JKA)
not unusual to have between 4 000 – SA JKA Karate (Dainfern)
6 000 competitors at the SA JKA National Cell: 083 709 9289
Championships. E-mail: bernard.buys@mweb.co.za

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DPL