The Definition of Traditional Karate:
"In traditional karate victory is not an ultimate aim. Tradition karate is an art of self-defense which uses only and in the most efficient way human body. It employs mainly blocking, blowing, punching and kicking techniques?"
Although today there are many different Karate sports, originally there was only one. The first or Traditional Karate (Karate-Do) was the original Karate from which these later sports borrowed the name “Karate”, as it is commonly and widely used today.
Objectives and Values:
"In traditional karate victory is not an ultimate aim. Tradition karate is an art of self-defense which uses only and in the most efficient way human body. It employs mainly blocking, blowing, punching and kicking techniques?"
The purpose of Traditional Karate is to develop well-balanced mind and body, through training in fighting techniques. Traditional Karate also shares the ultimate aim with Budo, which is to cultivate great human character of a higher class that prevents any violent attack before an actual fight occurs.
(ITKF Statute, Article 1, paragraph 1.3)
Competition:
"A Karate contest conducted under the rules of the ITKF must conform to the definition of Karate. All rules enacted by the ITKF must always be considered from the standpoint of helping and motivating the participant toward the perfection of human character through unlimited physical and mint seeking."
ITKF Constitution Article 1, Section 1.3
Traditional Karate competitions, both national and international levels, follow the competition rules established by ITKF.
• Traditional Karate vs. General Sports
In a general competitive sport, the competition rules define the sport itself. For example, soccer is defined as the game played by the “soccer rules”. In contrast, Traditional Karate competition rules do not define what Traditional Karate is. Budo competition has its roots in a practice method called “Shiai” in which the practitioners try their techniques and test each other’s skills. ITKF competition rules were compiled based on this “Shiai” philosophy: for the athletes to improve their mental and technical skills.
• Traditional Karate vs. General Sports
o The most visible and compelling difference between Traditional Karate and other Karate-like sports is that Traditional Karate’s competition rules specifically require each technique to have sufficient maximum force resulting in a “finishing blow.” These other sports do not have competition rules that exact such a requirement of each of their techniques. Because of this very important distinction, the training methods and biomechanics of Traditional Karate are therefore much different from these other sports.
Competition Categories of Traditional Karate:
Kumite (Sparring)
Men’s Individual: Free sparring
Women’s Individual: Ko-go sparring (Alternate offense and defense)
Team: 3 persons
Kata (Form)
Men’s Individual
Women’s Individual
Team (3 persons perform a Kata together. In the final match, the athletes demonstrate the application of the techniques in the Kata.)
Fuku-go (Alternate individual Kata and Kumite)
Men
Women (Ko-go sparring is used instead of free sparring)
En-bu (A pair of athletes performs choreographed offense/defense techniques)
Men: 2 Men (Free offense and defense)
WMixed: Woman & Man (Man attacks and woman defends)
