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2009 IWKA TOURNAMENT OFFICIAL RULES SUMMARY

 GENERAL RULES:

1.        Participation in the Championships is by invitation and is reserved for Isshinryu practitioners only. Only performances of Isshinryu Kata and Weapons Kata  will be permitted. The order in all kata/forms events will be created from the date your application is received. The earliest goes last.

2.        During seminars and tournament events, only white GI’s (top and bottom) may be worn. Black belts must wear a white GI and black belt ONLY. (No red or red and white striped belts). All black belts MUST sign in as your help is needed to make the event run efficiently. Those who do not sign in and are not competing may be charged as spectators during the event (unless cleared in advance).

3.        Only bare feet are permitted in the competition area during the training sessions, seminars and tournament.

4.        A minimum of three competitors are needed for each division. The Tournament Host-Official reserves the right to combine or sub-divide divisions if necessary. The Tournament host also reserves the right to upgrade individuals who seem appropriate or suitable for the higher division. If a division is eliminated, contestant(s) will be placed in the next closest division.

5.        Competitors may enter one Kata, Weapon and Sparring event. Once competition in a division begins, no late arrivals will be permitted to compete. Awards will be made for first, second and third places in each division. All children will receive a special award for participation. All participants will receive a certificate of participation in the seminar and tournament.

6.        Disrespectful conduct or language by a competitor or official will result in immediate disqualification.

7.        NO video recording or picture taking is permitted during the seminars by participants or spectators who are not a part of the host school.

KATA/WEAPONS:

8.        Open Hand Katas Permitted: Seisan, Seiuchin, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, Kusanku, Sunsu and Sanchin. Weapons Katas Permitted: Tokomine No Kun, Urashi Bo, Shishi No Kun No Dai, Kusanku Sai, Chatanyara No Sai and Hamahiga Tonfa (Black Belts only). Weapons may be checked at the Staging Area or by the chief referee. Judges are to inspect weapons prior to the start of the division, noting any weapon that may be considered too light or too short for the competitor. (I.e. Competition bos, sa’s and tonfas). In this case, the competitor will be advised to borrow a more suitable weapon or a one point deduction will be made by the scorekeepers.

9.        Three competitors will be viewed before scorings are posted. Scoring ranges: Lower belts 5-7, Intermediate belts 6-8 and Advanced belts 7-9 and Black belts 7-10. With 5 judges, high and low scores will be discarded for the final score. In the event of a tie; the discarded low score will be added back in. If a tie still remains, the discarded high score will be added back in. If a tie still remains, an additional kata/form will be performed. The new scores will determine the winner(s). For students who know more than one kata, a different kata must be performed for tie breakers.

10.     If a competitor forgets his or her kata in the novice and intermediate ranks, a restart is permitted. Judges are to score the restarted kata normally and the scorers will deduct two tenths (.2) points from the score. No restarts are permitted in advanced and black belt divisions.

11.     All competitors who win their empty hand or weapons kata division qualify for the  Kata Grand Championship finals for men or women (See division sheet.).

SPARRING/KUMITE:

12.     Protective equipment is MANDATORY. This includes: groin protection (male competitors), foam hand and foam foot protectors (fingers and toes must be covered) and foam head gear and mouthpiece.  Optional equipment includes shin and instep padding and chest protectors for female students. Injury bandages/protectors may be permitted upon inspection by the chief referee.

13.     Matches will be two minutes running time or three points. If there is a tie, a two minute sudden victory match will be held. The first competitor to score a point wins. All penalties are carried forth.

14.     Target areas include chest, stomach, ribs, face, top of head and kidney.  Sweeps below the calf are permitted, if followed by an immediate attack. Controlled, light contact is permitted to the body. No contact is permitted to targets above the shoulders, below the waist or to the spine, with the exception of the Black Belt competition where light contact to the helmet only is permitted. For divisions under Black Belt, a six inch protective halo around the head will be observed by judges.  There will be no face contact. Any contact IN ALL DIVIONS to an illegal target will result in a foul. On the first light touch to an illegal area, the opponent will be awarded 1 point. On the second light touch to an illegal area, the offenders will be disqualified.

15.     Malicious or excessive contact to any body area is grounds for immediate disqualification.  Determination regarding malicious or excessive contact will be made by the chief referee. Throws are also not permitted.

16.     Stepping two times out of the fighting area under one’s own power will result in the opponent being awarded one point. Each additional time out of the ring will result in the opponent being awarded one point.

17.     There's to be no coaching of competitors during the matches.

18.     Leg checks are permitted to the back of the lead leg. If a person is taken down an IMMEDIATE follow-up technique must follow if a point is to be awarded. No checks to a person with one leg on the ground will be permitted.

KATE DIVISION CHAMPIONS AND GRAND CHAMPIONS:

19.    Black Belt competitors who win their empty hand or weapon kata division are eligible to compete for the appropriate male or female kata Grand Championship.  There is no Grand Championship for non Black Belt division winners.  A person may qualify through more than one division, but may participate only once in the Kata Grand Championship where  Sunsu Kata must be performed.

20.     The winners of the each of the black belt kumite divisions, male or female, are then eligible to compete for the Black Belt Kumite Grand Championships for men or women.