Karate at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

[Kyonovice]

Taken it's time but the Ioc FINALLY announce karate included in Olympic Games !

[urlhttp://https://www.britishkaratefederation.co.uk/news/karate-into-the-olympics-2020/[/url]

[JR 137]

I think it's a great thing. I don't know if it'll last longer than the Japan Olympics, but you never know.

The biggest contention among supporters in the karate community seems to be what type of kumite will be allowed. Will it be padded up point fighting like TKD or knockdown like Kyokushin?

I think it needs to be knockdown. Show people a side of karate that's not the stereotypical guys in pijamas playing a game of tag while yelling as loud as they can after they barely touched an opponent to judges' attention. I'm not saying that's 100% true of point fighting, but there's definitely that element.

Go knockdown like the Kyokushin World Open or nothing IMO.

And add kata. Traditional kata, not make your own gymnastics floor routine kata.

[Kyonovice]

I Couldn't agree more, having hint Sparred & Contact spared, knock down is the way to go. Kata needs to be traditional, show the world ALL that karate is!

[Karate_John]

In all likelihood it will be WKF/JKF point fighting and Kata. But I would love them to add knockdown.

It might happen as IKO Kyokushinkaikan partnered with JKF for the Olympic push.

[Wado Heretic]

I personally say keep the kata out of it, at least for now. If Karate can become a recurring Olympic sport then perhaps in time consider the kata, but we should take a hard look at the other combat sports in the Olympics. Not even TKD has a forms division.

In terms of what the Kumite should be; as a tournament format one has to consider the health of the participants, and also how to distinguish karate as an event from TKD and boxing. I do not think Knock-Down alone can accomplish that, as to the uneducated eye I suspect it would appear like brawling.

I do not think the WKF's point style would be a terrible representation; it does allow sweeps and throws, finishing blows to a downed opponent, and it is pretty fair in it's regards to how many points a successful punch or kick is given so does not encourage "head-hunting". It should be continuous with light to medium contact, with a bit more restriction on levels of protection, but otherwise I do not think it would be the "wrong" type of kumite. I find it an entertaining enough spectator sport, plus it is one children can participate in and grow up with.

Personally; my inclination is that the Olympics should have Boxing, Kick-Boxing, MMA, Jacket Wrestling, Submission Grappling, and Knock-down/Throw-down Wrestling. These would provide opportunities for a lot of cross-over competition, and the inclusion of more traditional and folk traditions from across the world into events.

[JR 137]

I personally say keep the kata out of it, at least for now. If Karate can become a recurring Olympic sport then perhaps in time consider the kata, but we should take a hard look at the other combat sports in the Olympics. Not even TKD has a forms division.

In terms of what the Kumite should be; as a tournament format one has to consider the health of the participants, and also how to distinguish karate as an event from TKD and boxing. I do not think Knock-Down alone can accomplish that, as to the uneducated eye I suspect it would appear like brawling.

I do not think the WKF's point style would be a terrible representation; it does allow sweeps and throws, finishing blows to a downed opponent, and it is pretty fair in it's regards to how many points a successful punch or kick is given so does not encourage "head-hunting". It should be continuous with light to medium contact, with a bit more restriction on levels of protection, but otherwise I do not think it would be the "wrong" type of kumite. I find it an entertaining enough spectator sport, plus it is one children can participate in and grow up with.

Personally; my inclination is that the Olympics should have Boxing, Kick-Boxing, MMA, Jacket Wrestling, Submission Grappling, and Knock-down/Throw-down Wrestling. These would provide opportunities for a lot of cross-over competition, and the inclusion of more traditional and folk traditions from across the world into events.

I like your opinion about the type of kumite, but I don't agree. I think the point fighting looks too close to TKD to the untrained eye, whereas knockdown appears far more distinct. Perhaps it does look far more like brawling, but I think it gives karate more legitimacy that point fighting does in the masses' eyes. There's really no right answer here.

Regarding kata, it should be included, and possibly as part of an overall score of kata points + kumite points. That would favor the most well rounded karateka IMO. Kata is an integral part of karate, and should be shown to the world. I highly doubt karate will stay as an Olympic even after Japan, so might as well show what you've got while you have the chance. Plus, kata would be a great balance to knockdown (if the rules to that way, which I highly doubt) to show its not all "brawling."

Just opinions.

[JR 137]

In all likelihood it will be WKF/JKF point fighting and Kata. But I would love them to add knockdown.

It might happen as IKO Kyokushinkaikan partnered with JKF for the Olympic push.

Matsui (IKO Kyokushinkaikan Kancho) is catching a lot of flack for partnering up with them from the other Kyokushin groups, most notably Shinkyokushin guys. There's bad blood between those two groups anyway, and I think this adds to it. The criticism comes from Kyokushin guys in their own circles.

[JohnASE]

The version of karate that is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is organized by the World Karate Federation (WKF). The USA branch of the WKF is the USA National Karate-Do Federation (USA-NKF), which also goes by USA Karate. There will be both kata and kumite competition.

If you compete in traditional Japanese tournaments that are not WKF, such as AAU Karate, JKA Shotokan, etc., it will be fairly similar to what you're used to. If you compete in open-style tournaments, such as those sanctioned by NBL or NASKA, or if you compete in TKD tournaments, the rules will be very different.

The USA Karate website is here...

http://www.teamusa.org/usa-karate

Links to their rules are on this page...

http://www.teamusa.org/usa-karate/athlete-resources/documents-and-resources

[DWx]

It's not official yet as they still have to agree at Rio. This is just the Executive Board agreeing to support the package put forward by Tokyo which includes karate, skateboarding, sports climbing, surfing and baseball/softball all as exhibition sports.

The format they've agreed on so far is the same put forward originally by Tokyo and does include 2 kata event alongside 6 kumite divisions run by the WKF but open to all karateka.

http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1038023/five-sports-recommended-for-tokyo-2020-olympic-inclusion-all-approved-by-ioc-executive-board

FWIW TKD might also be changing as there are discussions taking place over how to include an ITF style event.

[JohnASE]

It's not official yet as they still have to agree at Rio. This is just the Executive Board agreeing to support the package put forward by Tokyo which includes karate, skateboarding, sports climbing, surfing and baseball/softball all as exhibition sports.

The format they've agreed on so far is the same put forward originally by Tokyo and does include 2 kata event alongside 6 kumite divisions run by the WKF but open to all karateka.

http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1038023/five-sports-recommended-for-tokyo-2020-olympic-inclusion-all-approved-by-ioc-executive-board

FWIW TKD might also be changing as there are discussions taking place over how to include an ITF style event.

It's almost official. From the linked article: "A final decision is due to be made by the IOC membership during the Session in Rio de Janeiro in August. This is expected to be a formality, however, with the vote due to be a simple approval or disapproval of the whole package."