Lying about Belt Ranks

[KarateKen]

Have any of you encountered this situation?  

A tournament takes place, and a competitor is competing at green belt but is actually a brown belt.  He just wants to compete against lower competition so he can beat up on them and win the prize.  What would you do if you ran a tournament and discovered that someone had done this?  I've never knowingly seen it, but there was a time or two I was suspicious.  Someone from out of town, not known to anyone running the tournament, shows up with a Gi and a belt claiming to be a student but is "independent" and not naming a dojo.  I was not running the tournament, but it seemed like nobody has to verify their rank or who they trained under since most of them were locals and all in the same circle.  One student was wearing a while belt and fighting in the green/blue belt division.  Why?  

[sensei8]

4 hours ago, KarateKen said:

A tournament takes place, and a competitor is competing at green belt but is actually a brown belt.  He just wants to compete against lower competition so he can beat up on them and win the prize.  What would you do if you ran a tournament and discovered that someone had done this?

After talking to all parties involved and lathering the necessary information, and I believe there’s enough evidence that a falsehood has occurred, all parties would be dismissed from the tournament, all involved matches where the guilty has been assigned to would be reassigned, and the guilty would be receive a lifetime banishment would be imposed immediately for cause.

Of course, if there wasn’t enough evidence to justify said accusation, then nothing would be done. I’d then speak with whomever had initiated the enquirer, explain my findings, and thank them for their time

5 hours ago, KarateKen said:

One student was wearing a while belt and fighting in the green/blue belt division

.Any tournament wherever I was its arbitrator never verified rank. If said competitor isn’t a black belt, for example, and they want to sign up to the appropriate black belt division, and run the risk of getting their lunch handed to them, then so be it.

However, if a case of rank abuse is proven, that competitor will be removed, affected matches reassigned, and a lifetime banishment would be imposed immediately for cause.

5 hours ago, KarateKen said:

I was not running the tournament, but it seemed like nobody has to verify their rank or who they trained under since most of them were locals and all in the same circle

Most, if not all, tournaments don’t verify rank, who they trained with, or said dojo was legitimate; tournaments put their competitors on a honor system…innocent until proven guilty. Local tournaments, unfortunately, are the breeding grounds for what the OP is talking about.

Proof is on the floor!! I’ve removed competitors from the floor if after watching them I don’t feel that they’re what they are claiming to be.

Integrity is everything!!

I’ve not either the time and/or the inclination for those who don’t posses one iota of integrity.

5 hours ago, KarateKen said:

Why?

That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?!?

[Nidan Melbourne]

16 hours ago, KarateKen said:

Have any of you encountered this situation?  

A tournament takes place, and a competitor is competing at green belt but is actually a brown belt.  He just wants to compete against lower competition so he can beat up on them and win the prize.  What would you do if you ran a tournament and discovered that someone had done this?  I've never knowingly seen it, but there was a time or two I was suspicious.  Someone from out of town, not known to anyone running the tournament, shows up with a Gi and a belt claiming to be a student but is "independent" and not naming a dojo.  I was not running the tournament, but it seemed like nobody has to verify their rank or who they trained under since most of them were locals and all in the same circle.  One student was wearing a while belt and fighting in the green/blue belt division.  Why?  

Great thing to bring up, as it can happen or where people sandbag themselves below their actual skill level. 

16 hours ago, KarateKen said:

Have any of you encountered this situation? 

No I haven't experienced this in a tournament myself personnally. 

Why? Because I already compete in the 3rd Kyu + Division as an Adult. IF I did enter another division, the organiser would recognise it immediately, as I know so many people in Victoria that are either Referees or Instructors that they would immediately say something. 

The only time I would enter another division is if I was in a legitmately different MA or style of Karate (i.e. Kyokushin). But if I did plan on entering a Kyokushin Tournament, I'd contact that organiser to get their opinion on what they want me to do. As it is the fair and right thing to do but also i'd be tellinng them that Yes i am a 2nd Dan in Goju but a White Belt in Kyokushin and inexperienced inn their style of Kumite. 

 

16 hours ago, KarateKen said:

What would you do if you ran a tournament and discovered that someone had done this?

If I had reasonable belief someone was entering one of my Tournaments as a Lower Grade or was purposefully Sandbagging i would do 1 of 2 things: 

1. If It was BEFORE the start of their event; i'd speak to them and their club to find out their actual rank. If unlisted, I would want verification of their most recent grading. 

2. If they are Sandbagging; which is often a lot easier to recognise as they tend to smash that division easily or have a stupid number of wins in that division (unless they are a BB). I'd speak to their club, and force their hand to promote and i'd adjust them to the appropriate division OR i'd say that due to their performance we're upping them to the next bracket for a challenge. 

16 hours ago, KarateKen said:

I was not running the tournament, but it seemed like nobody has to verify their rank or who they trained under since most of them were locals and all in the same circle.

I never have had to Verify my rank at any tournament, as it seems that they all go off the Honour System. 

But if I wanted to compete at a higher level (eg State Championships); i would need to provide a recognised club. Even my coach if he was to attend needs to be an accredited coach. 

However Karate Australia has recently changed their system, where you can register directly with them and have your insurance covered by them. But you do need to put in your current rank and who it was awarded by and when.