Referees - WKF Kata Rules

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. A schedule of the compulsory Kata is given in Appendix 6 and a list of the free selection Kata, in Appendix 7.

4. When performing Shitei Kata no variation is permitted.

5. When performing TOKUI Kata the contestants may choose from the list 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 each round.

7. Contestants must perform a different Kata in each round. Once performed a Kata may not be repeated.

8. Contestants in the repechage may perform SHITEI or TOKUI Kata subject to paragraph 7 above.

9. 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 usual way. They will then perform a demonstration of the meaning of the Kata (BUNKAI). The time allowed for the BUNKAI demonstration is five minutes. The official timekeeper will start the countdown clock as the team members perform the bow at the completion of the KATA performance and will stop the clock at the final bow after the BUNKAI performance. A team which exceeds the five minute period allowed will be disqualified. The use of traditional weapons, ancillary equipment or additional apparel is not allowed.

EXPLANATION:
1. The number and type of kata required is dependant on the number of individual competitors or teams entered as shown in the following table. Byes are counted as competitors or teams.

Competitors or Teams

65 - 128
33 - 64
17 - 32
9 - 16
5 - 8
4

Kata Required

7
6
5
4
3
2

Tokui

5
4
3
3
3
2

Shitei

2
2
2
1
0
0

This is provided for your information. Please check the WKF website for any amendments or changes to this information or for the latest news. www.wkf.net

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