2024 SEASON

BRIEF SUMMARY OF RULES

RULES.jpg

All entries must be made via a bona fide Club or Association.
Only club Instructors, coaches or appointed administrators may make entries

It is the responsibility of each club/Association Coach to ensure that all coaches and competitors have a valid and up-to-date licence. No Coach should be in attendance and no competitor may enter without a valid licence.

It is the responsibility of each club/Association Coach to ensure that all competitors are entered in the correct age and grade category, parents must be consulted and agree to children fighting ‘UP’ a category in Kata or Kumite. Competitors may only fight ‘Up’ if already entered in their own category.

On occasions when there are no entries, or one entry in a category, the category will be cancelled. Categories will only go ahead with two or more entries.
(In the event that competitors or teams withdraw on the day, after the draw has been published, leaving only one entry, points and medal/s will be awarded to the remaining entry)

Please Note: Competitors age and Grade on the first day of the year dictates their category for the entire season, therefore, although an athlete may have a birthday and/or advance in grade during the season, they remain in the same category for the duration of the season.

Confusion often arises when spectators/coaches/athletes see a ‘Brown Belt’ compete in the ‘Novice’ categories. The explanation usually being that the athlete was not a brown Belt when the year started.

WKL Kata Rules

WKL Kata rules are based on WUKF rules.

  • Scoreboards are used.

  • There will be two rounds regardless of number of competitors.

  • After the first round, the top six scoring competitors progress to the final round.
    The scores from first and final round for these six are combined to find the top three.

  • Where Kata categories are split into 'novice ' and 'advanced' sections, only Heian, Pinan or equivalent Kata can be performed in the Novice categories, Kata can be repeated in all rounds.

  • Any Kata can be performed in the 'Advanced' categories, but a different Kata must be performed in the final or in the event of a tie. Kata cannot be repeated in Advanced Kata categories.

  • There are six Junior 'Style' Kata categories with each of three ‘styles’ being subdivided into 8-11 and 12-15 year-olds. The three styles being: 'Shotokan' 'Wado' and 'Other Styles'

  • Competitors may enter only one 'Style' event as well as their age/grade appropriate Open Kata event.

  • Only Shotokan Kata can be performed in the 'Shotokan' category, likewise with the Wado Category.
    Shotokan and Wado Kata cannot be performed in the 'Other Styles' category which is for styles other than Shotokan and Wado (Shito-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, Kyokushin. etc.) Any Kata from the style can be performed in each round and may be repeated.

  • Where there are no 'Novice' and 'Advanced' stipulations in a category, any Kata can be performed and can be repeated, this includes Teams, U6s, U8's, Mens, Ladies and all Veteran categories.

  • Belt of grade should be worn in Kata.

  • The ‘Child’ of the ‘Parent & Child’ Kata Pairs must be Under 18. Parent & Child must be from the same family, It is not adult & Child (from different families)

  • Only Kata found on the WUKF Kata list can be used.

  • Medals are awarded to the top three, with one gold medal, one silver medal and one bronze medal being awarded in Kata events

WKL Kumite Rules

WKL Kumite rules are based on WUKF rules

  • Competitors are AKA (Red Belts, Red Mitts) or SHIRO (White Belts, White Mitts)

  • All competitors must wear Gum shields unless they are in the U8, U10 & U12 Categories and are wearing the approved Head guards.

  • Approverd Headguards in all U8, U10 & U12 Kumite events are compulsory.

  • ‘WUKF approved’ Shinguards and Foot guards are optional

  • Competitors in the U8, U10, & U12 events compete in Nihon Shobu (two full points or accumulated scores to total two full points) and matches last 1 minute 30 seconds.

  • Competitors are allowed to fight Up a category, ONLY with the express permission of their coach and Guardian! Competitors ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FIGHT ‘DOWN’ a category. Their ‘correct’ category must be entered as well.

  • U14s, U16s, U18's, Adults and Veterans compete in Shobu Sanbon (three full points or accumulated scores to total three full points) and fight for two minutes*

  • * Senior Males Only fight for three minutes. (time permitting)

  • Kumite teams (3 person) are all Male or All female

  • If a Kumite team cannot present three competitors, they may enter with two, with the understanding that they will forfeit one bout.

  • Medals are awarded to the top four, with one gold medal, one silver medal and two bronze medals being awarded in Kumite events

  • PLEASE NOTE: Teams can have members from other clubs in their team, with the purpose giving the competitors mat-time.

  • PLEASE ALSO NOTE: End of season trophies are not presented to teams.

    Jukuren Challenge

    Competitors are AKA (Red Belts, Red Mitts) or SHIRO (White Belts, White Mitts)

  • The 'Jukuren Challenge' is for younger competitors, U’6s, U8s, U10s and U12's. In this event two competitors, (Aka and Shiro) have 30 seconds to demonstrate their Kumite techniques on a standing target (free standing punch/kick bag) Three judges will declare the the winner taking the following into consideration:

  • Quality of the techniques (balance, accuracy, and form)

  • Variety of techniques.

  • Volume of punches and Kicks (number of techniques landed)

  • It is not necessary to Kiai on every or any technique.

  • Any competitor who cannot continue for the duration of the contest will be disqualified.

  • Medals are awarded to the top four, with one gold medal, one silver medal and two bronze medals being awarded in Jukuren events

    Novice & Advanced Categories in Kata & Kumite

  • In Kata and Kumite events: Novice categories in all categories U8, U10, U12 & U14 Are for Beginner-5th Kyu

    Novices U16 and Adult events are Beginner-4th Kyu

Champions of Champions

  • Individuals are awarded medals at each event, with a gold, silver and two bronze medals being awarded in each Jukuren and Kumiter category.

  • A Gold, Silver and One Bronze medal awarded in Kata.

  • Further to medals, ten points are awarded for first place, six points for second place and three points for third places. All other competitors receive One point.

  • At the end of the season the individual with the highest accumulated points in each category is awarded the 'Champion of Champions' award in that category. Second and third places will also receive awards.

  • Furthermore, the individual with the highest overall points score, adding their individual age/grade Kata category to their Individual Kumite category, will be awarded the 'Overall Champion of Champions' trophy, Second and third places will also receive awards.

  • Note: Only the competitors correct age categories will be taken into account, not any category they have ‘moved up’ to, nor will the ‘Shotokan’ ‘Wado’ or ‘Other Styles’ Kata categories be taken into account.

  • In the event of a tie on points, the medal tally is taken into account, with gold medals won being the first criteria, then silvers and then bronzes.

  • If a tie persists, the result of the final event will decide the winner.

  • The Club award will go to the club at the top of the medal table. Second and third place clubs will also receive awards.

  • TROPHIES ARE NOT AWARDED IN TEAM EVENTS.

Entry & Admission Fees

  • Spectators pay £5. Under 5's enter free.

  • Individual Kata, Jukuren and Kumite events cost £15

  • Parent & Child Kata and Pairs Kata events cost £20 per pair

  • Team Kata & Team Kumite events cost £25 per team

  • In the event of any queries please contact Rob Copeland