Training - Competition
Kata events are broken down by gender, age, and belt; as well as an open event which is only broken down by gender. In each event kata the competitors are paired up and must perform their chosen kata against another person. Once both competitors have completed their katas, a panel of judges decides which kata was ‘better’ according to predetermined criteria. The winner goes onto the next round and the loser is eliminated. An eliminated person may come back into the competition if they where eliminated by a competitor that is placed 1st or 2nd, this is called a repechage. There are variations of this such as team kata, but it generally runs of the same principles.
When the judging panel watch a kata the judge it against a criteria, and will look for:
- A realistic demonstration of the Kata meaning.
- Understanding of the techniques being used (BUNKAI).
- Good timing, rhythm, speed, balance, and focus of power (KIME).
- Correct and proper use of breathing as an aid to KIME.
- Correct focus of attention (CHAKUGAN) and concentration.
- Correct stances (DACHI) with proper tension in the legs, and feet flat on the floor.
- Proper tension in the abdomen (HARA) and no bobbing up and down of the hips when moving.
- Correct form (KIHON) of the style being demonstrated.
- The performance should also be evaluated with a view to discerning other points such as the difficulty of the kata presented.