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| Traditional Karate Institute is a proud member of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) of America, the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF), Western Region, and the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) |
| TRADITIONAL KARATE INSTITUTE AAKF Club Member We are dedicated to the practice and teaching of Nishiyama's Traditional Karate. |
| Poway Shotokan Karate Academy Gravity powered Shotokan Karate, J.K.A. Style Poway - San Diego |
| Copyright © 2010 Poway Shotokan Karate Academy. All rights reserved. Terms of Service |
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“A Karate contest conducted under the rules of the International Traditional Karate
Federation (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 mental 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. Karate-like Sports
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)
a. Men’s Individual: Free sparring
b. Women’s Individual: Ko-go sparring (Alternate offense and defense)
c. Team: 3 persons
Kata (Form)
a. Men’s Individual
b. Women’s Individual
c. 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)
a. Men
b. Women (Ko-go sparring is used instead of free sparring)
En-bu (A pair of athletes performs choreographed offense/defense techniques)
a. Men: 2 Men (Free offense and defense)
b. Mixed: Woman & Man (Man attacks and woman defends)
As defined by ITKF