Guelph Open Charity Karate Tournament 2025

Tournament Attire: Gi

Kata: (Karate Forms) With components of the Goju system originating as far back as 1000 years, the movements in Kata express an imaginary battle. As the student progresses through the ranks, the kata becomes more intricate and challenging. Students are judged based on accuracy of technique, expression of spirit and the ability to demonstrate “kimé” or energy on the kata’s focus points. Each judge will call out a score in two parts. The first mark is the whole number and second mark is the decimal portion. For example, if the first mark is a 6 and the second mark is a 9, the total score is 6.9 out of 10.

Kobudo: (Weapons Forms) Kobudo scoring is the same as Kata scoring.

Forms & Weapons:

Five judges for all divisions will determine winner. All scores will be within a range depending on the number of competitors per division. Competitors compete in random order. The first three competitors will perform their form then come back up for scores. The remaining competitors will be scored immediately after their form. Competitors must redo their form in case of a tie.

Forms will be judged based on technique, consistency, spirit and basics. They will not be judged based on a judge’s vision of the form itself. All forms have various versions; they will not be judged by a single view.

Kumite: (Point Sparring) This is the sport aspect of the freestyle sparring, which we practice in the dojo. While light body contact is allowed, this is a non-contact shiai, so contact is not necessary to obtain a point. Points are awarded when a controlled technique is aimed at a valid target area and is not effectively blocked. Head contact or excessive contact will result in disqualification. Coloured belts spar to 3 points.

Black belts spar to 5 points. The centre judge has final say in all matters related to his/her ring. In Kyu belt divisions, sparring goes up to 3 points, no time limit. Divisions are drawn randomly; fighters from the same school will not fight each other until it’s unavoidable.

To score a point, two of the three judges must call the point. Fighters can score a point as long as they have one foot in the ring. Fighters can move as much as they like in the ring, but, if they avoid the fight by running away, out of the ring, or falling, one warning will be given, after that, penalty point will be given. All techniques must be thrown with control, proper balance and focus.

Illegal techniques, such as low kicks below the belt, hitting the spine, grabbing, and throwing will result in a penalty point. Contact to the head will result in disqualification. Any other unnecessarily aggressive contact will result in a penalty point.

Equipment permitted: mouth gaurd, groin protection

*** ANY Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification from round, the division, or from the entire tournament. This goes for both competitors and spectators. We want a fun environment for all competitors. ***