ITF, WTF, AOK, AAU?? What's the difference?

[Eric7_27]

What's the difference between certain types of tournaments? How does somebody take ITF and WTF events? I thought those were just for like national tournaments. And don't you have to like fly half-way across the world just to attend one usually? Where does one find tournaments that aren't in China and California (I'm in Texas... )

-Eric

[lordtariel]

They usually all have their own sets of regulations. I'm in an AAU group and these are some of the guidelines we have to follow in tournament:

1. Gi has to be all white and must only have one AAU patch on the breast.

2. We have to use a specific type of glove and wear cup, mouth guard, and helmet(optional over 18)

3. Kobudo weapons must be made of wood and not light or tapered, have any decals or non-natural coloring.

4. Divisions are broken up into four groups: Beginner(less than a year of experience, wears a white belt),Novice(1-2 years, wears a green belt), Intermediate(2-3 years, wears a brown belt), and advance(3+ years, wears a black belt)

5. Light to moderate contact to everything but the head. Only touch allowed to head.

That's just a few of the rules we follow. I'm sure if you get to the org's websites, they'd have a listing of all their rules.

[bushido_man96]

The ITF and the WTF are different organizations, with set rules for their competitions. Depending on what organization the school is under, you will find what rules set they use. The AAU is more like a governing body, which has its own rules for AAU Karate, and AAU Taekwondo.

I do know that there is a qualifier for Olympic style TKD in Oklahoma every year. Your best bet would be to start checking out some schools, find out what organization they compete under, and then look into the tournaments that they enter into. You may be able to find what you are looking for.

[Eric7_27]

thanks