Competitions

Competitions are a major part of Kyokushinkai. There are four styles. These are:

Kata
There are kata competitions for both juniors and seniors. The competitions are catagorised into belt divisions with each participant taking part in up to four rounds with each round having a different kata performed from a preselected list. the top karateka in each round progress through to the next. The kata competitions are the ultimate in testing the technical aspects of your karate.

Clicker
Clicker competitions can be a team or individual event for both junior and seniors. It is a non contact event where by the fighters are scored by referees holding "clickers" (hence the name!) on which their scores are recorded. Each round is 2 mins long and the winner is the competitor with the most points at the end of the round. This form of fighting is all about speed and combinations and a great test for fighters of all ages.

Nihon Shobu
Nihon Shobu competitions can be a team or individual event for both junior and seniors. It is a non contact event where by the fighters are scored only on "clean" techniques. Each round lasts 2 mins and the winner is the oponent who scores a total of 2 ippons (points) within the allotted time (or the highest scorer). The score can be achieved through either 2 ippons (2 mawashi geri for example) or 4 waza ari (half points) or a combination of the two. Once again this is all about speed and reaction and is a firm favourite with ex-knockdown fighters who no longer with to participate in the full contact event.

Knockdown
The knockdown events are only open to seniors holding yellow belt or above. It is from this form of fighting that Kyokushinkai got it's reputation for being one of the strongest forms of martial arts. Each fight consists of one 2 minute round in which both fighters try to achieve either an ippon, where by the other fighter is unable to continue fighting after a period of 5 seconds, or by 2 Waza Ari, where by the other fighter is knocked down but they return to fighting position within the allotted 5 seconds. In there are 3 weight divisions and 2 classes of fight - Novice or Open. Novice fighters only fight with opponents who have fought less than 3 fights in their career whilst the open event is open to all fighters.

For more details on the events that occur within the BKK please see our calender page.