Ishinryu Karate Australia

Our club has a strong competitive history. Currently active members who have reached state and national representation include:

Sensei Tony Hails 6th Dan (refer to the instructors tab for more details). Competitor at 4 World Championships, Dual Asian Pacific Champion, National coach 2000 - 2008. Fijian National Mentor Coach 2009 - present

Sensei Alison Peachey 4th Dan (refer to the instructors tab for more details).

Competed for Australia at Oceania Championships, long term competitor for NSW, current National Kumite Referee and Kata Judge

Sensei Leighton Wren 3rd Dan (refer to the instructors tab for more details). Many time competitor for Australia at Oceania, Commonwealth Championships and Junior World Championships

James Walker 4th Kyu. Debuting for NSW in 2010.

Our competitors always perform with distinction at state and national level - it's a reflection of our daily training that prepares a student both mentally and physically.

We hold club tournaments several times a year, giving all our students (including those too young or inexperienced to compete at state level) the opportunity to test their skills in a safe environment.

It is important that all competitors and spectators understand the rules to really appreciate the experience. The summary of the rules below are taken from the AKF's 2008 National Championships program AND AMENDED to reflect new rules from January 2009. The full rules, and a summary of the 2009 amendments, can be downloaded from the WKF website.

Kumite - fighting

In each kumite bout you will see two competitors, one with a red belt (aka) and one with a blue belt (ao). Bouts run for 3 minutes for adult men and 2 minutes for all other competitors (add 1 minute for medal bouts for mens and womens events). In the event an individual bout is tied after the conclusion of time a one minute extension of the bout (sai shiai) will occur. This is a totally new bout that goes the full distance. In the event of a further tie then the Judges and Referee will vote who they believe the winner to be by a process called hantei. The Referee will then announce the winner of the bout. Please note that different rules apply to team events.

The refereeing panel will consist of one Referee and usually three Judges who are seated. The role of the Judges is to assist the Referee and it is the Referee who will give all commands and make all announcements. It is important therefore to understand the various commands of the Referee to understand the bout in progress.

Scoring

Firstly an opponent can be awarded a score when a technique is performed that meets a stated criteria. To be awarded a score a technique must be applied to a scoring area of the body, must be appropriately controlled with regard to the area of the body being attacked and must satisfy all of 6 specified scoring criteria.

The scoring areas of the body are the head, face, neck, abdomen, chest, back and side.

The six criteria to be met for any technique to be awarded a score are:

1. 1. Good form - the technique must be delivered within the framework of traditional karate concepts. i.e. it must be an effective technique
2. 2.  Sporting attitude - The competitor must deliver the technique with a non malicious attitude and great concentration
3. 3.  Vigorous application - The technique must have power and speed
4. 4.  Awareness (Zanshin) - The competitor must maintain concentration, observation and awareness of the opponents potential to counter attack
5. 5.  Good timing - The technique must be delivered when it will have the greatest potential effect
6. 6.  Correct distance - This relates to both the distance between the competitors and the distance that the technique finishes from the target. For a punch or kick this should be somewhere between skin touch and 2-5cm from the face or alternatively within a reasonable distance if the opponent makes no attempt to block

All of the criteria must be met for a technique to be awarded a score. The scores awarded are as follows:

* Three points (Sanbon) for:

Jodan (head) kicks

Throwing or leg sweeping the opponent to the mat followed by a scoring technique

* Two points (Nihon) for:

Chudan (body) kicks

Punches on the back, including the back of the head and neck

Combination of hand techniques

Unbalancing the opponent and scoring

* One point (Ippon) for:

Punches to the body and head

Other legal strikes

Penalties

Penalties are also awarded throughout the bout. There are two categories of penalties, the first category awards penalties for the following:

* Techniques which make excessive contact

* Attacks to the arms, legs, groin, joints or instep

* Attacks to the face with open hand techniques

* Dangerous or forbidden throwing techniques

The second category of penalties is awarded for:

* Feigning or exaggerating injury (minimum keikoku penalty)

* Exiting the competition area

* Self endangerment

* Avoiding combat (minimum keikoku penalty in final 10 seconds)

* Holding or wrestling (or "chesting") without attempting to throw

* Uncontrolled or unsafe techniques

* Attacks with the head, knees or elbows

* Talking, or goading an opponent, failing to obey the orders of the Referee or discourteous behaviour or other breaches of etiquette

The two types of penalties do not cross accumulate.

After the initial warning is applied in either category if a second infringement occurs the Referee will then award a point to the opponent. If the infringement occurs again, two points will be awarded, and if a further infringement occurs the opponent will then be awarded the bout.

In addition, in the case of the first category of infringements the Referee is not bound to increase the penalty incrementally. Should the Referee believe the infringement serious enough he or she can award one point or two points or indeed the match to the other competitor. This will occur if for example due to the actions of a competitor the opponent is unable to continue the bout or his or her chances of winning the bout are reduced to nil.

Kata - forms

Kata competition takes the form of team and individual matches. Team matches consist of three persons.

Kata must be performed with competence, and must demonstrate a clear understanding of the traditional principles it contains. In a kata competition you will note again two athletes, one wearing red (aka) the other blue (ao). Each athlete will perform his or her kata, red going first and then blue.

The kata is observed by usually 3 but sometimes 5 Judges. The Judges will consider the performance of both and then give a decision. In assessing the performance of a contestent or team the Judges will look for:

* A realistic demonstration of the kata meaning

* Understanding of the techniques being used (Bunkai)

* Good timing, rhythm, speed, balance and focus of power (Kime)

* Correct and proper breathing

* Correct focus of attention and concentration

* Proper tension in the abdomen and no bobbing up and down of the hips when moving

* Correct form of the style being demonstrated

* The difficulty of the kata

After the two competitors have completed their kata the Chief Judge will signal by way of blowing their whistle for all Judges to make a decision. The Judges then raise the colour flag of the competitor they believe should be awarded the winner of the bout. The winner is decided by the contestent with the most flags. The Referee then raises the flag to indicate the winning contestent.