Tournament Kata

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Download WKF rules English in Zip format 870kb

KATA RULES

ARTICLE 1: KATA COMPETITION AREA
1. The competition area must be flat and devoid of hazard.
2. The competition area must be of sufficient size to permit the uninterrupted performance of Kata.
EXPLANATION:
For the proper performance of Kata a stable smooth surface is required. Usually the matted Kumite areas will be suitable.

ARTICLE 2: OFFICIAL DRESS
1. Contestants and Judges must wear the official uniform as defined in Article 2 of the Kumite Rules.
2. Any person who does not comply with this regulation may be disbarred.
EXPLANATION:
I. The karate-gi jacket may not be removed during the performance of Kata.
II. Contestants who present themselves incorrectly dressed will be given one minute in which to remedy matters.

ARTICLE 3: ORGANISATION OF kata COMPETITION
1. Kata competition takes the form of Team and Individual matches. Team matches consist of competition between three person teams. Each Team is exclusively male, or exclusively female. The Individual Kata match consists of individual performance in separate male and female divisions.
2. The elimination system with repechage will be applied.
3. The contestants will be expected to perform both compulsory ("SHITEI") and free selection ("TOKUI") Kata during the competition. Kata will be in accordance with the schools of Karate-do recognised by the WKF based on the Goju, Shito, Shoto, and Wado systems. In the first two rounds, no variations will be permitted. A schedule of the compulsory Kata is given in Appendix 6 and a list of the recognised Kata, in Appendix 7.
4. In the first two rounds, contestants may choose only from the list of compulsory Kata. No variation of the chosen Kata will be permitted.
5. In subsequent rounds contestants may choose from the list of TOKUI kata in Appendix 7. Variations as taught by the contestant's school are permitted.
6. The score table will be notified of the choice of kata prior to the round.
7. Contestants must perform a different Kata in each round. Once performed a Kata may not be repeated. However, should a preliminary qualifying round be required due to numbers competing, the pre-qualifying kata, chosen from the compulsory list, may be repeated in the round proper.
8. In the Finals of Team Kata Competition, the two Finalist Teams will perform their chosen Kata from the Tokui list in Appendix 7 in the normal way. They will then perform a demonstration of the meaning of the Kata (BUNKAI). The time allowed for the BUNKAI demonstration is three minutes.

ARTICLE 4: THE JUDGING PANEL
1. The panel of three Judges for each match will be designated by the Referee Council or Match Area Controller.
2. In addition, scorekeepers and caller/announcers will be appointed.
EXPLANATION:
I. The Chief Kata Judge will sit at the perimeter of the competition area facing the contestant(s). The other two judges will sit on the left and right sides, two metres from the centreline of the area, and towards the contestant's entry point. All three will have a red and a blue flag.

ARTICLE 5: CRITERIA FOR DECISION

1. The Kata must be performed with competence, and must demonstrate a clear understanding of the traditional principles it contains. In assessing the performance of a contestant or team the Judges will look for:

a. A realistic demonstration of the Kata meaning.
b. Understanding of the techniques being used (BUNKAI).
c. Good timing, rhythm, speed, balance, and focus of power (KIME).
d. Correct and proper use of breathing as an aid to KIME.
e. Correct focus of attention (CHAKUGAN) and concentration.
f. Correct stances (DACHI) with proper tension in the legs, and feet flat on the floor.
g. Proper tension in the abdomen (HARA) and no bobbing up and down of the hips when moving.
h. Correct form (KIHON) of the style being demonstrated.
i. The performance should also be evaluated with a view to discerning other points.
j. In Team Kata synchronisation without external cues is an added factor.

2. In the first two rounds, a contestant who varies the Kata will be disqualified. A contestant who comes to a halt during the performance of the kata, or who performs a Kata different from that announced will be disqualified.

EXPLANATION:

I. Kata is not a dance or theatrical performance. It must adhere to the traditional values and principles. It must be realistic in fighting terms and display concentration, power, and potential impact in its techniques. It must demonstrate strength, power, and speed — as well as grace, rhythm, and balance.

II. In Team Kata, all three team members must start the Kata facing in the same direction and towards the Chief Judge.

III. The members of the team must demonstrate competence in all aspects of the kata performance, as well as synchronisation.

IV. Commands to start and stop the performance, stamping the feet, slapping the chest, arms, or karate-gi, and inappropriate exhalation, are all examples of external cues and should be taken into account by the Judges when arriving at a decision.

APPENDIX 6: THE compulsory kata LIST
SCHEDULE OF W.K.F. COMPULSORY (SHITEI) KATA
Goju Seipai
Saifa
Shoto Jion
Kanku Dai
Shito Bassai Dai
Seienchin
Wado Seishan
Chinto

APPENDIX 7: W.K.F. MAJOR KATA LIST

MAJOR KATA LIST OF THE WORLD KARATE FEDERATION

SHOTOKAN KATAS
1. Bassai-Dai
12. Jion
2. Bassai-Sho
13. Sochin
3. Kanku-Dai
14. Nijushiho Sho
4. Kanku-Sho
15. Goju Shiho-Dai
5. Tekki - Shodan
16. Goju Shiho-Sho
6. Tekki - Nidan
17. Chinte
7. Tekki - Sandan
18. Unsu
8. Hangetsu
19. Meikyo
9. Jitte
20. Wankan
10. Enpi
21. Jiin
11. Gankaku

GOJU-RYU KATAS
1. Sanchin
6. Seisan
2. Saifa
7. Seipai
3. Seiyunchin
8. Kururunfa
4. Shisochin
9. Suparimpei
5. Sanseru
10. Tensho

WADO-RYU KATAS
1. Kushanku
7. Rohai
2. Naihanchi
8. Wanshu
3. Seishan
9. Jion
4. Chinto
10. Jitte
5. Passai
11. Suparimpei
6. Niseishi

SHITO-RYU KATAS
1. Jitte
23. Naifanchin Nidan
2. Jion
24. Naifanchin Sandan
3. Jiin
25. Aoyagi (Seiryu)
4. Matsukaze
26. Jyuroku
5. Wanshu
27. Nipaipo
6. Rohai
28. Sanchin
7. Bassai Dai
29. Tensho
8. Bassai Sho
30. Seipai
9. Tomari Bassai
31. Sanseiru
10. Matsumura Bassai
32. Saifa
11. Kosokun Dai
33. Shisochin
12. Kosokun Sho
34. Kururunfa
13. Kosokun Shiho
35. Suparimpei
14. Chinto
36. Hakucho
15. Chinte
37. Pachu
16. Seienchin
38. Heiku
17. Sochin
39. Paiku
18. Niseishi
40. Annan
19. Gojushiho
41. Annanko
20. Unshu
42. Papuren
21. Seisan
43. Chatanyara Kushanku
22. Naifanchin Shodan

My favourite kata's for competition

With kata competition you have to have a plan. Which kata's to do first etc. It is always good to have at least four  kata's when entering a tournament especially if it is a national championships or international event. Usually the first kata will get you into the top 16 or 32, depending how many enter, then the top eight, and so on until the final to two. Usually the strongest kata is done last. All international events now follow the new WKF system of Shitei (compulsory) kata, which have to be done in the first two rounds and then the Tokui (free selection) kata.

My personal favourite kata for tournament are Niju Shiho, Goju Shiho Sho and Unsu. And are usually performed in this order. As you can see these kata's are not Wado Kata's , they are Shotokan. I have found that these kata have more spectacular moves plus they are more bolder in character and you find that you score more marks with a more complex kata. As long as you are comfortable with a kata then do, it I say. 

I have studied shotokan for many years , under sensei'  Chico Mbakwe and Gabe Operanta of Cardiff Shotokan. I have learned that to perform a kata you must first study how to do a move in that particular style (always helps :-)). So I decided that I had to learn how to perform the basic techniques first then build up to the more complex techniques which are performed in the advanced kata's such as Unsu.

I have found many differences between shotokan and wado but they are only minor differences, mainly the stances and the Japanese terminology. It hasn't hindered or complicated my learning in wado though, if anything I feel it has made me an all round stronger karateka.