Karate

:This article is about the martial art. For the band, see Karate (band).

Karate as a sport

Since its introduction to Japan, karate has been adapted for practice as a competitive sport, although unlike other martial arts such as taekwondo or judo it does not possess Olympic status as an "Olympic Sport", although it received more than 50% of the votes necessary to become an official Olympic Sport. Seventy-five percent of the votes are required for a new sport to become Olympic Sport and Karate did not garner that level of support. The World Karate Federation (WKF) is the only recognized International Sport Federation by International Olympic Committee (IOC) for Karate and represents the major uniform rules among all styles.

Related Topics:
Sport - Taekwondo - Judo - Olympic

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All the countries are organized throw only one national karate federation, recognized by each official national sports governing body and National Olympic Committee. Each continent had one federation for continental karate activities. WKF is for world karate activities. There are many organizations on national and international Karate organization, regarding competitive activities and styles activities but only WKF is recognized by International Olympic Committee and only one in each country is linked with that official structure and for that, official recognition of the country sports governing body is required. Each country organize their own karate championships following WKF rules.

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Competition can be in three disciplines: kumite,kata or kobudo (weapons); competitors may enter either as individuals or as part of a team.

Related Topics:
Kumite - Kata - Kobudo

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In Kata, there are two contestants on each bout (Aka ? red belt ? and Ao ? Blue belt), and final evaluation for the best performance between two contestants is done by a panel of Kata judges. In team Kata (3 members each team), and only at the final contest, they must perform also a bunkai (application) demonstration. Criteria for evaluation should be consulted on official World Karate Federation website (www.wkf.net).

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In Kobudo, competitors generally compete individually. Like kata, final evaluation among contestants is done by a panel of judges. Traditional karate weapons, (ie. bo, sai, tonfa, kama, nunchaku, etc.) are manipulated in a prearranged pattern similar to empty-hand kata. In traditional tournaments, the weapons kata is more functional and less flashy than at open tournaments. Traditional weapons kata are sometimes close to a hundred years old. The competitor must maintain control of his weapon. Dropping the weapon results in a major point deduction at minimum; disqualification is usually the result.

Related Topics:
Bo - Sai - Tonfa - Kama - Nunchaku

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In Kumite there are two fighters paired in a timed fight (three or five minutes). Scores (Ipon, Nihon and Sanbon ? 1, 2 and 3 points) are awarded by evaluation of the punch or kicking technique depending from target location and tactical situation (a simple punch to chest or face is ipon ? 1 point ? but if delivered after an allowed throwing is sanbon ? 3 points ? for instance). Speed, timing and tremendous accuracy are highly required for kumite competitors to score. Each punch or kick must be delivered with absolute control of the final contact regarding the target area. Score could be done by kumite refereeing panel (one referee and tree or five judges) only if there are not any injury on the target area. Penalties also are given to control fault on contact and forbidden behavior.

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Ethical behavior is very important in karate competitions and the required initial and final traditional bow in kata and kumite disciplines is a real symbol that links the foundation of the past to the modernity of actual competition.

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EXTERNAL LINK:

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• http://www.karateonline.org an online karate resources with hours of competition footage of the highest levels
• http://www.martialhub.com/japanese/japanese_karate.html (300 karate and japanese martial arts links)