EXPLANATION OF KARATE CONTEST
RULES FOR KUMITE CONTEST
The ultimate objective of Karate lies not in the winning of the fight. Just as in all Japanese arts, the objective of Karate is found in the way in which the person strives to develop, through systematic training the full potential he possesses. Its manifestations are in the expression of movement and power, its method is in the rational use of all parts of the body without a weapon, and the means are the self-defence movements of blocking, punching, striking and kicking.
Thus, Karate is not merely an excellent physical or defensive art. The complete mental control required for the mastery of physical movements, the effort and discipline required in the search of the mastery of the art, lays the foundation for the development of good citizenship and the ultimate perfection of human character.
Contests in the art of Karate are only one part of the total Karate discipline and only one of the methods of training. Karate contests are based upon two of the training disciplines -- Kumite ( free sparring ) and Kata ( form ). Thus there are Kumite and Kata contests conducted under the strict rules that have been established for competition.
This article will feature only the Kumite contest. Jiyu Kumite or Free Sparing competition is a sparring match between two contestants, attacking and defending themselves using all Karate techniques, including hands, elbows, feet and legs.
A winner is determined when the Judges award one of the contestants an "ippon" ( a point ) because of his superior ability in punching, striking and kicking. The target area is limited to face, neck and mid-section of the body.
Actual contact is prohibited in a contest, so all blows must be pulled just before contact.
KARATE SQUARE :-- A square open floor area , 8 metres each side, marked by identifying lines.
JUDGES :-- One Chief Judge and four assistant judges. The contestants are designated as red or white. Each assistant judge holds both a red and a white flag. The red side will wear a red belt.
MATCHES :-- The tournament is arranged as an overall elimination draw, pitting pairs of contestants against each other until only two are left. Each contest lasts two minutes, with each person attempting to score an ippon. The final championship match lasts three minutes.
SCORING :-- The Chief Judge determines which man has executed a well-timed, " focused" punch, strike or kick and calls out "ippon".
Both persons then return to their corners, and the Chief Judge then raises his hand to indicate the winner.
HALF-POINT or WAZAARI :-- Given to a contestant who has completed an effective blow or series of punches, but lacks correct stance, distance or timing. The match will be stopped and contestants will return to their starting positions.
If one contestant wins two Wazaaris, it is considered an ippon and that person wins the match.
A NO-POINT DECISION ( HANTEI ) OR A DRAW :-- If, after two minuted, neither person has scored an ippon, the Chief Judge will call out "Hantei: ( decision ). The assistant judges, at each ring corner, will raise either a red flag or white flag, indicating their choice.
If the judges cannot make a decision, they will raise and cross both red and white flags, indicating a draw.
A Hantei is won by over-all performance sprit and technique.
A FOUL OR HANSOKU :-- If a strike, punch or kick actually hits an opponent, it is not counted as an ippon. The contestants usually disqualified unless it is determined that the foul was minor. In this case, a warning is given and the match continues, but the foul is counted against the competitor in the final decision.
A contestant leaving the ring or showing no fighting spirit may be disqualified.