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Competition creates urgency to perfect techniques in a student’s forms
Students are able to judge progress with other competitors
Students gain confidence by trying something they are afraid of
Competitors feel part of a team as they compete to make our studio #1
Students gain confidence to perform in front of others
Competition is an excellent learning tool
It inspires excellence, giving each competitor a chance to shine
All competitors get to attend our competition team pizza party after each competition
Every 8-10 weeks, students of Shi-Han Sensei Louis D. Casamassa’s Red Dragon Karate studios, participate in tournament competitions. These daylong events present an excellent opportunity for martial artists young and old to show off their abilities in a safe and controlled environment. Students compete for prizes including trophies, jackets and even cash! As Americans, we all know the value of competition; in the martial arts, competition serves a wide variety of purposes. The exciting sport setting is great for developing confidence and a winning attitude. Tournaments are like the big game; the team practices hard for weeks, now here is their chance to see how good they’ve become by trying their skills out against other the team. Tournaments are also a great time to come out and support the team, either by participating or simply by cheering in the stands.
In short, competing at tournaments is great for boosting self-esteem! Whether the competitor wins a trophy or not, they are all winners because they went to the tournament and tried their hardest.
New students who have never competed before are encouraged to go and watch first, then go and try their best at the very next tournament. Family and friends are encouraged to come and watch. Children feel confident when they have a team of supporters in the stands cheering for them!
Special discounts are available to parents and family members who volunteer to be a timekeeper, scorekeeper or security. A special training class is held 2 weeks before the competitions to become certified.
Below is a breakdown of divisions you will find at Red Dragon tournaments.
“Students that compete on a regular basis excel extremely faster and more proficiently. Competition is definitely a positive activity and beneficial experience for all martial artists.”
What Can I Compete In?
Kata- A kata is a routine of self-defense moves put together in a pre arranged pattern. Competitors are judged by Black Belt officials and scored based on their balance, focus, power, intensity and degree of difficulty. Beginners traditionally perform the “Tioga’s” and then progress to the American forms. Often called Open Kata because the type of form that is allowed is not restricted. The most popular forms performed in Kata division are the dynamic American forms featuring spin, jump and flip techniques, fast punch and kick combinations.
Weapons- Scored similar to kata except they add the overall control of the weapon into the scoring. Another ‘Open’ division, where a participant can demonstrate their skills in a kata that features various martial arts weapons like the knunchaku, Bo staff and Kamas.
Sparring- a special game of tag where martial arts skills are used to win points. Matches are won when a participant gets five points or the highest score at the end of two minutes. There are two corner judges and a center judge or referee to call each match and there needs to be a majority decision for a point to be called. Score one point for a punch to the body, two points for a kick to the body and one point for a kick to the groin. There is no face contact allowed for any of the color belt divisions, and chest / rib protectors are required for competitors’ age 17 and younger. Good sportsmanship and a high level of respect are a must for this division.
Musical- your favorite weapon form or kata set to music, a very dynamic and fun division. Ask your Sensei or Shi-Han for help on music selection.
Showmanship- Special demonstrations: team katas; fight sketches and other special demos with 2 or more participants often performed with music. Ask your Sensei if you want to participate and check the tournament flier for rules regarding this division.
Traditional Forms- these are the Katas handed down through the generations from Japan, Okinawa and Korea. They emphasize power, precise technique, low stances and intensity. Wearing a ‘traditional’ gi or uniform is recommended but not required. See your Sensei for more details on this division.
American Karate Kung fu Federation Ratings System
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