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2023 Rules

KATA DIVISIONS

AWARDS
  • First, second and third will be awarded to the kata division
RULES
  • Competitors will demonstrate the mandatory kata.
  • The final 3 will demonstrate the optional kata they may select from the list

Conduct of kata competitors:

  • Bow in as they enter the ring
  • Stand in the ready position
  • The referee will give the command “shomen ni rei”. The participant will bow to the front
  • The referee referee will raise their hand and lower their hand
  • The participant will state the name of their kata.​
  •  The contestant will begin performing their kata.
  • The participant must stay in bounds while performing Kata
  • Once the participant has completed their kata they will return to their starting position and face the referee in ready position, bow and say OSU, then wait for the Judges decisions.
  • Once the officials scores have been tallied the Referee will say “shomen ni rei” the participant will bow to the front then step straight back and bow out as they leave the ring.
  • ​Top 3 competitors from Preliminary round will compete in the final

NON-CONTACT KUMITE DIVISIONS*

AWARDS
  • First, second and equal thirds will be awarded to all non-contact divisions
DURATION
Matches vary in length but are usually limited from one to one and a half minutes. Please note there are no draws in the continuous non-contact divisions.
SCORING
​Though no “points” are actually called during a match, the number of CLEAN DECISIVE TECHNIQUES scored during the match is usually the main determining factor in the decision of the continuous non-contact matches. To be a CLEAN DECISIVE TECHNIQUE the following conditions must apply:
  • An accurate effective and powerful punch, strike or kick must be delivered to a recognized target area. The target areas simply are kicks above the belt level (excluding the back) and strikes with the hands to the body level (excluding the back)
  • The attack must have good form, good attitude, strong vigor, proper timing, adequate distance (usually within 15 – 25 cm) and must have a Kiai incorporated with it
  • Both competitors must be in the ring
  • The technique must occur during the duration of the match, no techniques will be recognized after yame is announced
  • The use of Zanshin after a clean decisive technique is encouraged
ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES FOR NON CONTACT
Fouls will be given when any prohibited technique is performed. These techniques are:
  • Any attacking technique that makes contact
  • Any attacks to the head other than with leg techniques, thus no hand techniques to the head.
  • Any attacks to the head with hiza geri
  • All attacks below the belt level (i.e. groin and legs)
  • All open hand techniques
  • All elbow techniques
  • Any uncontrolled techniques (spinning /360 degrees, forward roll kick)
  • Throwing techniques, grabbing, clinching or body clashing
  • Excessive movement out of the ring or wasting time
  • Striking at a downed opponent (exception is after a sweep with a seine tusk and zanshin)
  • Any un-sportsman like attitudes
  • Any strikes to the back
  • Any attacks with the head (i.e. head butts)
  • Stepping out of bounds
  • Not bowing properly (in and out of the ring, during referee commands, or when given an official warning/minus point)
  • Having belt come loose and fall off
Equipment Provided
  • Head gear
  • Gloves
  • Shin guards

Personal Mandatory Equipment (must provide own)

  • Mouth guards
  • Groin Protector (males only)

KNOCKDOWN

AWARDS
  • First, second and third will be awarded to all contact knockdown/contact divisions
  • Competitors will fight for 3rd place
DURATIONS
1-12 yrs old.  Children’s Divisions
​1 min, no extension
​13-14, 15-17. Youth Divisions
​1.5 min, no extension
​​+35. Senior Divisions
​2 min, no extension
18+ Coloured Belts

 Open divisions
​​2 min rounds, no extension

3 min, 1 extension allowed (2 min); 2 extensions in final rounds (2 min). If still no decision then decision goes to weight; the lighter participant is given the victory, (if closer than 3 kg) then on final kumite round (2 min)
SCORING AND LEGAL TECHNIQUES
  • Excluding the techniques listed as fouls, a thrust, kick, or strike which downs the opponent for less than three seconds or results in the opponent’s loss of his will to fight, after which time he/she stands up and resumes the match, scores one half-point
  • Excluding the techniques listed as fouls, a thrust, kick, or strike which downs the opponent for three seconds or longer, or results in the opponent’s loss of his will to fight scores one full-point
  • Any legal technique that causes the opponent to loose balance enough that they must put both hands on the mat, followed by a reverse punch towards the downed opponent and an immediate proper  position that displays ones zanshin may score one half-point
  • Senior, Adult, Open divisions:
    • Any clean landing kick to the head followed by a reverse punch towards the opponent along with a proper Zanshin position and kiai may score one half-point.
    • A clean sweep (opponent must land on back) followed by a reverse punch towards (but not contacting) the downed opponent’s head and an immediate proper Zanshin position and kiai may score one half-point
    • A clean sweep (opponent must land on back) followed by a reverse punch that makes light contact to the downed opponents body and an immediate proper Zanshin position and kiai may score one full-point
    • *Clean landing kicks and sweeps are at the sole  judgement of the officials
    • Attacking with kick after being swept down is allowed

ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES
  • Touching the opponent’s neck and face even slightly with a hand or elbow. However, faking to the face is allowed.
  • Groin kicks
  • Head thrusts
  • Dangerous techniques such as attacking the knee joint.
  • Attacking an opponent who is already down (Except for cases when Zanshin is applied).
  • Attacking an opponent from behind.
  • Grabbing or hooking the opponent’s neck.
  • Grabbing or holding the opponent’s uniform (Do-gi), arms, legs or hair. (It must be noted that in the senior and adult divisions, specific hooking of the opponents legs is allowed for sweeping techniques)
  • Repeated intentional pushing of the opponent. (It must be noted that in the 13+, senior and adult divisions one push with one hand/elbow/forearm or with both hands is allowed)
  • Such repeated actions as falling down excessively after throwing a technique or otherwise obvious no-contact techniques suggesting the fighter has lost the will or strength to participate.
  • Frequently and intentionally going out of bounds.
  • Being inactive and not throwing any techniques.
  • Displaying manners that would be considered as having a poor attitude towards competition such as spitting, using foul language, and untying the belt or intentionally disrobing.
  • Any other actions that the referees may regard as foul.
  • Stepping out of bounds*
  • Not bowing properly (in and out of the ring, during referee commands, or when given an official warning/minus point)*
  • Having belt come loose and fall off*

MODIFIED RULES
up to 12 yrs. Children’s Divisions
​​No kicks to the head or legs
​No collar bone strikes
The use of Zanshin is encouraged after an opponent is knocked down or loses the will to fight.
Individuals risk immediate disqualification with any kick that makes contact to the head
No pushing
No sweeping

​13-14 Youth division
No contact with kicks to the head (individuals risk disqualification with kicks that make contact to the head)
​No collar bone strikes
No contact with any technique on or below the knee
No sweeping
Pushing allowed

15-17 Youth Divisions ​


35+ Senior Divisions

No contact with kicks to the head (individuals risk disqualification with kicks that make contact to the head)
​No collar bone strikes
No contact with any technique on or below the knee
The use of Zanshin is encouraged after an opponent is knocked down or loses the will to fight
​Sweeping (above the knee) is allowed
Pushing allowed
Defending from ground after being swept is allowed with kick (only to legal areas of body)

No contact with any technique on or below the knee
Light touch kick to the head may score a half point if followed with Zanshin while excessive contact to the head may result in an immediate disqualification
Pushing allowed
​Sweeping (above the knee) is allowed
No forward roll kick
18+ Open and 18+ Adult Coloured belt Divisions
The IKOKC does not allow forward roll kick in competition
Equipment for Knockdown Divisions
* Mouth guards – all divisions
* Headgear – all divisions (provided by tournament) except Open
* Groin protection – all male divisions (females exempt)
* Full chest protector, bubble gloves and shin guards – 12 & under divisions – provided by the tournament
* Finger gloves and shin guards – Youth & Adult, Senior divisions – provided by the tournament
​* Breast protectors – all female divisions 13 years&older – provided by the tournament

* Taping of wrists, hands, knuckles or other body parts, without the express permission and okay of Tournament Supreme Judge and director is not permitted