The 1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament Judge and Referee Regulations

Article 1: Criteria for Judgment

The referee and judges shall evaluate the performance of each competitor from the viewpoint of the traditional Okinawa karate and kobudo by the following criteria.

1. Characteristics of Okinawa karate and kobudo (ATIFA, MUCHIMI, CHINKUCHI, etc.).
2. Movement and sequence of Kata, accuracy of technique
3. Understanding of Kata
4. Appropriate speed fluctuation
5. Breathing, strength, speed, timing, balance, and technique
6. Consistency and accuracy of footwork
7. Basic movement (posture, stance, decorum, etc.)

Article 2: Judgment in the Scoring System

In the scoring system, the referee and judges will evaluate the competitors’ performance according to the criteria of the preceding article on a 10-point scale (up to the second decimal place, in increments of 0.05).

Article 3: Judgment in the Flag System

1. In the flag system, the referee and judges will evaluate the performance of red and white competitors according to the criteria of Article 1.
2. The competitor who is awarded more flags is the winner.

Article 4: Declaring Kata

1. Competitors shall select the Kata to be performed based on Article 8 of The 1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament Competition Rules and Regulations (hereinafter referred to as “Competition Rules and Regulations”), and a prescribed report form shall be submitted to the score-keeper’s table before the performance.
2. Changing the Kata after submission will not be accepted. However, if the competitor declared a Kata that cannot be selected according to the Competition Rules and Regulations, he/she can correct it based on instructions by the score-keeper.

Article 5: Calling out the Kata

1. Competitors shall clearly call out the name of the Kata before performing.
2. If the name of a Kata is called out incorrectly, it shall be accepted if correction is made immediately, however correction after the performance starts is not permitted.
3. If it is difficult to hear the name of Kata, the referee shall reconfirm with the competitor.

Article 6: Deduction

The following acts are subject to point deduction.

1. Overacting
   a. Making excessive sounds, such as beating the chest, arms, or uniform; stomping of the feet
   b. Excessive, unnecessary breathing
   c. Taking long pauses between each movement, and movement to stop the flow of Kata
2. Errors in movement or sequence of Kata
3. One hand is removed from the bo during a kobudo performance (except when changing the hand), or the bo or sai being used touches the floor (except when sai touch the floor when being thrown)

Article 7: Disqualification

1. Competitors will be disqualified in the following cases.
   1. Competitor performs a different Kata from the declared Kata
   2. Competitor performs without calling out the name of Kata to perform
   3. A belt or string falls off during the performance
   4. Abandoning a performance in the middle of the competition
   5. Using a non-approved weapon without a seal of examination in a kobudo performance
   6. Dropping a bo or sai in the middle of the kobudo performance
   7. Not following the instructions of the referee
2. If a competitor appears in the court wearing a uniform in violation of the Competition Rules and Regulations Article 2, he/she will be given two minutes to correct their uniform. Nevertheless if deficiencies are ascertained, he/she will be disqualified.
3. Eyeglasses can be worn during the performance if the competitor can prevent them from falling off. However if they fall during the performance, the competitor will be disqualified.
4. In the flag system, the competitor in white shall perform even if the competitor in red is disqualified. In this case, after the second performance, the referee will declare “red disqualified, white wins”. (The referee will declare likewise if the competitor in white is disqualified.)

Article 8: Abstention

1. The competitor is deemed to have dropped out when he/she does not appear in the court after being called twice.
2. In the flag system, if the competitor in red drops out, the competitor in white will automatically be the winner. In this case, the referee declares “red defaults, white wins”. (The referee will declare likewise when if the competitor in white defaults.)

Article 9: Interruption

1. In the event that a competitor feels unwell, falls, injured by a bo or sai, etc. during a performance, the referee will interrupt the performance and direct the competitor to the tournament doctor. In this case, continuation and judgment of the competition will be decided by the referee panel after consultation.
2. If it is suspected that the competitor is in violation of these regulations and/or the Competition Rules and Regulations before or during a performance, the referee will suspend the competition and confirm with the judge. In this case, continuation and judgment of the competition will be decided by the referee panel after consultation.

Article 10: Filing an Objection

1. Competitors cannot appeal against the judgment of the referee panel.
2. In case of suspected violation against these regulations and/or Competition Rules and Regulations, only a coach can file an objection to the audit.
3. Generally, a coach must file an objection before judgment. However, if an appeal is made immediately after judgment, the referee panel may accept an appeal upon affirmation by the audit.
4. If an appeal is made during a performance, the audit shall suspend the competition by whistle and the referee panel shall verify the complaint. Continuation and judgment of the competition in that case will be decided by the referee panel after consultation.
5. If an appeal is made between the end of the performance and judgment, the audit shall suspend the judgment by whistle and the referee panel shall verify the complaint.
6. If an appeal is made immediately after the judgment, the referee panel shall verify the complaint. If the opposition is deemed valid, the referee shall make a decision again.

Article 11: Other

When problems occur other than the matters stipulated in these regulations and the Competition Rules and Regulations, it shall ultimately be left to the judgment of the referee.