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Arnold Sports Festival to Host 2025 WAKO USA National Championships Through Innovative Partnerships with Kumite Classic

The Arnold Sports Festival (ASF), the world’s premier sports and fitness exhibition, will host the 2025 WAKO USA National Championship and Team Trials in a strategic partnership with Kumite Classic February 28^th to March 1^st, 2025.

ASF is widely known as the largest multi-discipline sporting event in the world attracting over 100,000 attendees to Columbus, Ohio annually. The event, which pays homage to Arnold Schwarzenegger, has transformed from a bodybuilding show in 1989 into the mecca of the fitness industry today. Kumite Classic, a Pittsburgh-based martial arts promotional company, is poised to present a new generation of martial arts competitions, highlighting USA Kickboxing as the anchor competition at the Ohio Expo Center. The weekend will include kickboxing, karate, tae kwon do, tang soo do, kung fu and wide variety of combat sports.

Kumite Classic president, Bill Viola Jr., brokered the partnership between USA Kickboxing and the Arnold Sports Festival. Kumite Classic is notable for hosting the most prominent sport karate-centric expo in North America from 1999-2017. In 2023 Viola Jr. was appointed Chairman of WAKO USA tatami sports under USA Kickboxing. Since then, he has been leading a committee to expand infrastructure and strengthen affiliations for the organization. According to Viola Jr., “Every kid dreams about competing in the Olympics someday. WAKO gives them hope.” USA Kickboxing is the only U.S. organization in the sport of kickboxing to have IOC (International Olympic Committee) & AOC (American Olympic Committee) recognition. Viola Jr. continued, “Our committee is dedicated to giving athletes the very best opportunities to excel.” Along his side is Dawn Roffey, a 1993 WAKO World Champion. She explained, “We are ready to take our tatami vision to the next level. Bringing WAKO, Kumite Classic, and Arnold Sports together will give us the exposure to show the world what USA Kickboxing is all about. I’ve competed around the globe, and WAKO USA is the future of sport karate in America. Our 2023 nationals in Florida had some of the most talented juniors I’ve ever seen. I know this year will be better as we build this new bridge with the Arnold Sports Festival.”

kumite classic pittsburgh — 2017 Kumite Classic

“The Arnold Classic heavily influenced my life’s path,” said Viola Jr., “Since the late 1990’s I’ve been a competitor, coach, guest, consultant, and promoter at the event. The foundation for Kumite Classic was built in those early Arnold days. When I met Schwarzenegger in 1998, he inspired me to start my company and emulate his success in Pittsburgh. We connected again last year, and it felt like the right time to return.”

The Kumite Classic name has been synonymous with elite sport karate athletes for over twenty years; pushing the envelope in terms of exposure and opportunities for competitors. Viola Jr. shared, “My goal is to bring the level of prestige and professionalism that Kumite Classic has been famous for to Columbus. WAKO is a great representation and platform for this collaboration.” Troy Speakman is the liaison for combat sports, working with ASF for the past thirty years. Speakman said, “Bringing an established name like Kumite Classic to the event is a wonderful addition. I am extremely impressed with the WAKO organization and proud to welcome all the Olympic hopeful athletes.”

According to Viola Jr., “When the opportunity presented itself to synergize the Kumite Classic brand with WAKO and Arnold, I knew it could be special. I’ve been semi-retired, so only a mega event like this could pique my interest. Bringing these groups together for the common goal of recognition for the sport is what it’s all about. Our superstars like Bailey Murphy, Devon Hopper, Tyson Wray and Ty Saint have been making headlines overseas. Attending nationals is your chance to be a part of history and join the movers and shakers of our sport.” Murphy, arguably the best pound-for-pound point fighter in the world right now, has been advocating the WAKO movement as he described, “WAKO Worlds [2023] was my favorite event thus far in my career, and not just because we won the team event in Portugal. It was because I was able to win with some of my best friends.” That is saying a lot from someone who has won just about every major sport karate tournament on the planet. Murphy went on to say, “We know there will be plenty more [victories], but there will only be one ‘first time,’ on that type of stage.” His words resonated with the junior team who rode the momentum and captured a record setting number of medals at the 2024 WAKO Junior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Bailey Murphy (left) wins 2023 WAKO USA Nationals, WAKO USA head referee Chris Walker presides

Today WAKO is solidified in 130 affiliated nations and 5 continents, of which 105 are officially recognized by either the National Olympic Committee or relevant National Government Sports Authority. Viola Jr. said, “The world is watching America, and new sponsors are breaking into market.” Century Martial Arts has joined the movement as a platinum sponsor of WAKO in 2024 and is currently powering the USA Kickboxing Team. Century President Michael Dillard shared, “Century is excited and proud to support WAKO USA at the Arnold Sports Festival in 2025. USA Kickboxing has a strong presence that continues to grow and provides opportunities for its athletes to compete worldwide. Since the Arnold Sports Festival is a worldwide leader in sports, it’s a natural fit for these organizations to come together.” WAKO Canada and WAKO USA are in the planning stages of a joint venture called the “Century Cup,” a pair of groundbreaking competitions scheduled for 2025. Century now offers official approved and tagged gear that can be used at every level of WAKO competition. Century currently sponsors top athletes from WAKO USA, Team Paul Mitchell, and Team Revolution, among others. Connell Loveless, founder of Team Revolution, is ready for new international opportunities. He added, “Team Revolution is ready to experience WAKO and everything that the Arnold has to offer. Having Century onboard will only open more doors and move the sport forward. I love seeing this event come full circle with so many great martial artists I’ve worked with over the years.” Team Revolution alum Sen Gao was recently named ambassador for Chinese martial arts. Gao said, “I always loved the energy of the Kumite Classic, and I want to bring that same power to my hometown of Columbus.”

Century is a 2024 Platinum Sponsor of WAKO

ASF draws over 15,000 athletes competing in a wide range of competitions, including combat sports. A confident USA Kickboxing President Rob Zbilski said, “We’re very excited to host our national qualifying event at the Arnold Sports Festival because it’s a golden opportunity to showcase the sport of kickboxing and our athletes alongside so many other prestigious champions. Said Zbilski, “By qualifying at the WAKO USA National Championships, athletes earn spots to compete internationally at the Pan-American Championships, World Games, World Combat Games, and World Championships.” The senior team members will represent the United States at the 2025 World Championships in Abu Dhabi, while junior team members earn a spot to compete in the Pan American Championships. WAKO International officials stay hopeful for a kickboxing debut at the 2032 Brisbane, Australia Olympic Games.

Next month the world will celebrate “International Kickboxing Day” on the 30^th of November, commemorating the provisional International Olympic Committee recognition of WAKO. This was a long and hard-fought road that began to gain traction when American athletes began competing abroad. Viola Jr. explained, “The impact of WAKO in the United States has been a process. Raymond Daniels and the ‘All-Stars’ really paved the way for our tatami champions when they took the initiative to seek out the top competition in the world. Ray became an icon over there. He won the legendary Irish Open title, an unprecedented ten times (2003-2015), over his career. No doubt, he is the most decorated sport karate athlete of our generation, and WAKO opened the door to larger opportunities.” Daniels, a former Kumite Classic Grand Champion, began looking for ways to expand the WAKO footprint in 2016. The result was the WAKO USA North American Open in collaboration with UFC fight week in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event helped plant a flag for new things to come to the states. Daniels stated, “To be the best in world, you must compete against the best from all over the world. WAKO is the only organization that offers that.”

Raymond Daniels and the All-stars win the Kumite Classic 10K Team Challenge at the 2016 Kumite Classic.

Chris Walker, a member of the All-Stars, currently serves on the tatami committee as head referee. Walker expressed, “I’ve been on the competitive side of WAKO for many years, and now I sit as someone who can make an impact from the other side. It’s been a privilege to step into this role and develop the referee core. What sport karate competitors will appreciate is the professionalism and attention to detail WAKO USA brings. You can witness how the game is changing by checking out our affiliates like USA Sport Karate.”

The Florida-based USA Sport Karate organization is one such partnership that is helping to further WAKO growth by co-sanctioning all their tournaments with USA Kickboxing. Jeromy Roque, President of USA Sport Karate, expounded, “Both WAKO and USA Sport Karate are committed to elevate martial arts competition, increase awareness, and set new benchmarks for professionalism.” USA Sport Karate is slated to sanction approximately 30 premier events in collaboration with WAKO next year, including the new “State Games” portion of the Kumite Classic at the ASF. This portion of the weekend will emphasis under belt competition and building future champions.

The 2025 nationals in Columbus, Ohio will feature all standard ring and tatami divisions for both youth and adults. WAKO offers 7 different styles: Point Fighting, light-contact, full-contact, kick-light, low-kick, K1-style, and musical forms. The ASF event will also offer development level competition for under belts including other disciplines from everything to traditional kata to Chinese martial arts so everyone will have an opportunity to shine under the Kumite Classic umbrella. El Java Abdul-Qadir, head coach of tatami concludes, “I am always scouting for the next international champion. To be a true world champion, you need to bring the right combination of physical skill, mental determination, and strong work ethic to nationals. If you are talented, confident, coachable, and ready to represent the USA at the highest level, I hope to see you in Columbus.” Registration for the event will open in October. www.wakousa.org

Gabby Viola “3rd Generation” Black Belt

August 30, 2021

Bill Viola Jr.

Bill Viola Jr. colitis gabby viola HomePage ibd inflammatory bowel disease karate 2020 karate 2020 Olympics karate tournaments Martial Arts news norwin ninjas pittsburgh karate pittsburgh karate champion pittsburgh karate school sensei viola day Team Kumite team usa Viola Jr and Sr Viola Karate No Comments

Gabby Viola Joins the Viola Karate Legacy

On August 17^th 2021, Pittsburgh area karate champion Gabby Viola celebrated her 11^th birthday and simultaneously became the youngest Black Belt at Allegheny Shotokan, a dojo that dates back to the 1960s. Gabby joins a Pittsburgh karate legacy that includes three generations of Viola black belts including her Grandfather, Bill Viola Sr., father Bill Viola Jr., and four aunts (Addie, Jacque, Ali, and Joce).

Her granddad aka “Papa Sensei” is accredited as the co-creator of mixed martial arts (MMA) and karate pioneer, while her father, Bill Jr., is a former World Champion and bestselling martial arts author. She’s following in her family’s footsteps literally as her dad explains, “She’s been kicking before she could walk.” Her mom, Jenn Viola, tells us, “She literally grew up in the dojo. It was like her playground.” The rank itself is an accomplishment that less than 100 people have achieved in over fifty years, but what’s even more impressive is that she did so fighting an incurable form of colitis – Inflammatory bowel disease.

bill viola sr, bill viola jr, gabby viola

In 2018, Gabby was diagnosed with bowel disease, and her immune system has been constantly under attack since. From the outside it is difficult to tell she is sick, but on the inside she suffers from severe bleeding, dehydration, abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue, inflammation of joints, skin and eyes, and a swelling colon. She was only seven-years-old when discovered; no family history of the illness. Martial arts teaches perseverance, and she decided that nothing would stop her from earning her black belt someday. She chose to be a “fighter,” and has been proactive meeting with the best specialists, naturopathic and holistic experts. Treatment includes trials, diets, meds, steroids, tests, and therapy. She is under the care of Dr. Sandra Kim, a nationally recognized expert in pediatric and adolescent inflammatory bowel disease at UPMC Children’s Hospital where she is treated with monthly infusions. Although she has had a number of setback and emergency room visits, earning her black belt has remained in focus.

He father, Bill Jr., is a USA National Champion and All-American Athlete has passed the torch to his daughter. Despite the risk of having a “flare” (major symptoms after a period of remission) she has competed nationally across the country. In 2019 she won Gold at the WKC National Championships and earned a spot on “Team USA.” She was one of the youngest participants (only a brown belt), in a pool of seasoned black belts. She has been recognized as a 5x State Champion and ranked #1 in the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) for black belt sparring in 2020 before the global Covid pandemic. Her efforts paid off when the August issue of Black Belt Magazine ranked Gabby as a “Top 5 Female” competitor in the North America. Most recently at the 2021 US Open in Orlando, Florida she was awarded “Competitor of the Year” by Point Fighter Live. The honor, dubbed as a “Power Award” was voted on by coaches, competitors, and promoters from across North America. After a nationwide poll, Viola not only won her category (edging out a talented competitor from El Paso, Texas) but was the highest vote getter of the show. Her dad couldn’t be more proud saying, “Win or lose, Gabby leaves it all on the mat. She’s had to fight harder than the average kid, but that has made her stronger. She has indomitable spirit.” Her winning ways opened doors and the opportunities to train with the best athletes in the world, including Sandra Sánchez of Spain, the first Olympic champion in karate history. Inspired to say the least, Gabby named her Olympic edition Barbie “Sandra.” Gabby and her teammates cheered for Sánchez on from the dojo, watching the Olympics live on 20-foot outdoor screen like a drive-in theater. Gabby said, “I knew Sandra was going to win. She is the most powerful woman I know.”

Bill Jr. explains, “Gabby has what I call ‘zentensity,’ a body-mind connection that pushes past what you thought was possible. That is a term he coined the book “CommonSensei.” It’s a mindset that leaves nothing to be desired – 100% effort. Outside the ring she is shy and reserved. Inside the ring, she transforms into tiger.” “Zentensity” is what has led her to this moment. She chose her birthday to partake in the final most difficult part of her young martial arts journey. The shodan test (1^st degree black belt) is a grueling mental and physical challenge. It is a four-month process that encompasses learning a vast history of martial arts, Japanese terms, hundreds of techniques, endless combinations, self-defense maneuvers, and physical endurance. Many organizations award black belts in a short window of time, but Allegheny Shotokan is “old school” and upholds the strictest of standards. The Viola family including Gabby is held to a higher standard. The final exam represents nine years of training, thousands of hours of practice, and hundreds of competitions. Gabby says, “I wanted to be like my Dad. My black belt is better than any trophy.”

She shared this honor with teammates and lifelong friends who also took the test including Remington Whatule, Lucy Lokay, Sammy Pietryk, Michael Pietryk, Taylor Provence, and Riley Evans. Whatule traveled from Los Angeles, California to test with Gabby, a special honor set up since he is the son of Sensei Bill’s best friend, 4^th Degree black belt Rocky Whatule who began his training at Allegheny Shotokan nearly thirty years ago. Viola Jr. says, “The bonds formed in martial arts are lifelong.”

Birthdays have a special place in Allegheny Shotokan lineage. On September 23, 2019 the Pittsburgh region celebrated “Sensei Viola Day” in honor of Allegheny Shotokan Karate’s 50-year dojo anniversary. It was symbolic as the date coincided with William Viola IV’s birthday. That is Gabby’s 4-year-old brother’s birthday who trains in the “Nursery Ninja” program, and holds a yellow stripe belt. Now Gabby’s birthday will forever be a reminder of her most important victory, and constant reminder she can do anything. Viola Jr. says, “The belt is something physical around your waist, but the lessons learned are from the heart. She is on her way to being a ‘black belt in life,’ and that’s all that matters.”

For more info. Contact Bill Viola Jr. 724-640-2111 bill@kumiteclassic.com

Gabby interviewed on CBS/KDKA TV: Read more

WKC World Champions Karate & Kickboxing

November 21, 2019

Bill Viola Jr.

Allegheny Shotokan karate tournaments kickboxing news norwin ninjas pittsburgh karate pittsburgh karate champion pittsburgh karate school pittsburgh kickboxing Team Kumite team usa Viola Karate wkc No Comments

For Immediate Release: 11/21/19 Contact: Call/Text Bill Viola Jr. 724-640-2111

2019 WKC World Titles brought home to Western Pennsylvania

The World Karate and Kickboxing Council (WKC) hosted the World Championships November, 3^rd -9^th in Niagara Falls, New York. The world’s best from 22 countries converged to compete in WKC Tatami-style divisions. The competition was the largest WKC championships in history with over 2000 athletes.

Team USA was comprised of athletes from across the country who won the National Team trials in Detroit this past June. 13 members from Allegheny Shotokan “Viola” Karate Dojo earned positions to represent the United States at the World Championships. Of that group, 4 students advanced to the medal rounds and secured top honors. These medals are the first ever for the Pittsburgh region.

Sensei Bill Viola Jr. said, “I am proud of the way these kids represented our community and the United States. Win or lose, they demonstrated respect and determination. We they play our National Anthem for Gold, it makes all the sacrifice worthwhile.”

Medaling for the United States:

10-year-old Xander Eddy, Gold (male kickboxing team)
18-year-old, Cameron Klos, Silver (classical kata) Silver (traditional kata)
12-year-old Sammy Pietrzyk, Silver (female kickboxing team)
12-year-old Taylor Provence, Bronze (female kickboxing)
12-year-old Riley Evans, Bronze (female kickboxing)

The 2020 WKC World Championships will be held in Madrid, Spain. The team will be fundraising to send a team to Spain and to visit Tokyo, Japan for the 2020 Olympics.

For more information visit www.alleghenyshotokan.com

Christmas Kumite

August 1, 2018

Bill Viola Jr.

christmas kumite Events karate tournaments No Comments

2019 Christmas Kumite Saturday Dec. 14th

Directions: 255 Arona Road New Stanton, PA 15672

Doors Open 8:30 AM
Black Belt Meeting 9:30 AM
Photos with Santa 10:00 AM
Tournament Starts 10:00 Sharp!
Contact: 724-640-2111
Top 4 places in Black Belt Divisions qualify for WKC National Championships
All Rings Matted
All Rings operate with Uventex automated scoring
Open to all styles and schools of martial arts.
2-min sparring, 1-point sparring, forms, weapons, Team Fighting, Tag Team Fighting and more
Novice, Intermediate and Advanced divisions for all age groups
200 divisions offered, something for everyone

Item	Pre-Reg before November 25th	Register by December 7th	At the Door
1st Event	50	55	60
Additional	+5	+8	+10
Team Events	+15	+20	+25
T-Shirts	+15	n/a	limited
Adult Spectator	+10	+10	+10
Youth Spectator	+5	+5	+5
Under 4 years old	free	free	free
Coaches pass	+10	+10	+10

Season’s Beatings! 👊 Welcome to Christmas Kumite , a collaboration of the entire Viola family and the Viola Karate Dojo. The tournament continues the “Laurel State” Karate legacy that Shihan Viola established in the 1970s. This is an “open” event that welcomes all styles and schools of karate, tang soo do, tae kwon do, kung fu etc. Whether you are from an Okinawan, Japanese, Korean and Chinese style background, you are encouraged to visit, compete, and make new friendships. We strive for good sportsmanship within a professional atmosphere. All our rings are matted and utilized the latest technology (uventex) to ensure accurate score keeping. Fair judging is a cornerstone of this competition. If you are a black belt from a school attending, please contact me personally so we share the rules with you and add you to the judging panel. We want to have a diverse referee core and do not discriminate from any style. If you have any questions, my personal cell phone is 724-640-2111. Merry Christmas. めりーくりすます

CHRISTMAS KUMITE RULES

*rules are subject to change, please check with center judge for any updates.

CHRISTMAS KUMITE RULES

*rules are subject to change, please check with center judge for any updates.

RINGS: Matted area for divisions

JUDGES: All divisions have the option to use 3 or 5 judges.

MAXIMUM DEVIATION: (only used with a 3-judge panel) .02 is the maximum deviation permitted from the “middle score.” This eliminates the impact of one judge altering the outcome of the entire division. This theory has been tested and utilized in national and international events.

TIES: Broken by head-to-head comparison scores of each individual judge (treated as votes). The majority of votes (higher individual preliminary scores) will break the tie if possible. If it is a “true tie” (unable to be broken) the competitors will run their form again and judges will point (by show of hands) to the winner. Running a different form is optional and not mandatory.

PROTESTS: Must be made at the time of the ruling. Protocol is to ask the coordinator/scorekeeper to alert the center referee. If the situation requires further investigation the ruling can be arbitrated.. All decisions by the arbitrator are final. *Protests can only be made by someone with an official coaches pass.

UNIFORM: All competitors must wear a martial arts uniform with no foul or offensive language.

AGE: Competitors must compete their age as of the tournament date December 2nd 2019.

SEQUENCE: Luck of the draw is based on a uventex computer lottery when you register. The draw is 100% random and determined by a third-party.

CLOSED DIVISION: A division is considered closed once the first player bows-in to perform a form or once the first sparring match is started. *Exception: computer-based or staff related errors.

RESTARTS: 1 restart is permitted for under black belt divisions only. No restarts for black belt divisions *Exception: restart for weapons that break during performance.

SCORING RANGE: 9.90-10 (black belts) 9.80-9.90 (under black belts)

TRADITIONAL: No gymnastics, splits, rolls, or creative interpretations. Any traditional uniform with a tie-over-style top is permitted. Patches and/or logos are a non-factor and permitted. A pure white uniform is NOT required, however the uniform should hold true to the standards of the style. Classical Japanese/Okinawan divisions enforce a maximum 4 kiai rule and based on unaltered kata.

FIRST TIMERS: First timer divisions are for competitors with little to no tournament experience. The purpose it to build self-confidence. All competitors win an award.

TEAM FORMS

Team forms must have a minimum of 2 players. No maximum. The entire team must perform in the “oldest” and/or “highest rank” of any team members. (Therefore teams can “bump up” divisions but not down). Teams may perform kata or weapons. Judges will score on synchronization, technique, intensity and creativity.

SPARRING (POINT FIGHTING)

UNIFORM: No t-shirts or shorts. No exposed jewelry or metal. No shoes.

EQUIPMENT: It is MANDATORY for all competitors to provide and wear their own approved sport karate head gear, safety boots, safety gloves, mouth guard, and protective cup (males). Highly recommended but not mandatory: face shields, chest protectors, leg pad, arm pad, elbow pads and knee pads.

WEIGH-IN: ALL players competing in a weighted division must weigh-in prior to the division (1lb allowance)

BYES: All byes are randomly selected by computer based lottery. Competitors from the same school (not team) will not be matched in the first round if possible. *optional: logic is followed by same country then state.

OUT OF BOUNDS: Out of bounds (exit) is when any part of the body touches outside the mat (tatami). No points can be scored out of bounds. Intentional exit or avoiding the fight: 1-point penalty. A contact exit, force-out, or offensive player who steps out due to momentum is not a penalty.

GROUND FIGHTING: Is not permitted. *Exception:1). All WKC boot-to-boot sweeps are legal and are scored as 1-point if the opponent is deemed down from the sweep. Follow up is an additional 1-point if it scores. Momentum contact is not a penalty.

DOWN BY CONTACT: A player is considered down by contact when any part other than hands/feet are touching the ground [knee, elbow, hip, or backside etc.] after making contact with their opponent. The match is stopped. No Penalty.

FALLING DOWN: A player is considered “fallen” down if they “intentionally” fall to the ground on their own accord (with or without contact). 1-point penalty by majority judge’s discretion.

SCORING TARGETS: Headgear area, face, torso (front/side) with control, light or moderate contact depending on player’s option, skill level, and division.

POINT TECHNIQUES: All clean martial arts punches, kicks, ridge hands, and back fists that use appropriate contact and form in the designated scoring areas. (Important: a hand or foot that touches the scoring area does not always warrant a point. The technique demonstrate martial arts merit). *This is a subjective matter, similar to umpires calling balls/strikes in baseball. Protests cannot be filed on judgement of points.

SPREAD: 10-point spread (mercy rule) is in effect.

SCORING: 1-point: hand techniques and body kicks. 2-points: head kicks, jump body kicks, and spinning body kicks. 3-points: spinning head kicks, elevated (jump) spinning kicks (including cartwheel kicks). 1-point for sweeps (that cause the other player to go down additional point if score on the downed opponent). *WKC-style either front leg or rear leg sweeps are permitted. Player with the most total accumulative points after the 2-minute round is the winner. Preliminary tie: Sudden Victory (next point wins).

Win BY 2: All “first place” matches must have a 2-point spread to determine the winner.

ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES: Haymaker (swinging/wild punches) with no regard for control, strikes to the groin or throat, uncontrolled, excessive or malicious contact to any area, intentional striking to non-scoring areas (spine, joints, legs etc.), late hits, dropping to the ground to avoid the fight, intentional running out of bounds.LEGAL CONTACT:

-CONTROL: No touch/pulled (Halo)……
-LIGHT: Touch…………………………….
-MODERATE: Slight penetration………..
PENALTY CONTACT:
-UNCONTROLLED: Beyond legal contact (majority judges discretion)
-EXCESSIVE: Extreme penetration (majority judges discretion)
-MALCIOUS: Intentional excessive contact: Automatic DQ (majority judges discretion).

PENALTIES: 1-point penalty points: (all infractions based on majority of judges) Uncontrolled contact to any area, intentional running out of bounds, intentionally falling (to avoid the fight), intentional late hits, retaliation hits, unsportsmanlike conduct.

DQ (Disqualification): is based on the majority vote of the judges (*or if the arbitrator is ringside and witnesses the infraction). Malicious contact is automatic disqualification. Incidental excessive contact, accidental contact and/or self-inflicted injuries that may cause swelling or draw blood are subject to discretion of the arbitrator after consultation with judges. Medical staff has the final say if a competitor can continue or not.

INJURY: If a player is unable to continue on his own accord or is advised by medical staff to bow out due to incidental contact, accidental contact or self-inflicted injury then his opponent will advance. Players will not advance if they intentionally injure their opponent or use malicious contact.

CLOCK MANAGEMENT: Black Belts: 2-minute running clock except final 30 seconds (clock is stopped on each “stop” break). Under Belts: clocked on breaks in final 10 seconds. Match over at “0” on scoreboard.

COACHING: Coaches must wear an official coaches pass (wrist band) that is purchased for $10.00.

(1) Ten-second time out is permitted per match. Coaches must stay within specified coaches box. Only 1 coach per box. Coaching without a wristband is a penalty. The timeout can only be used during standard match breaks (not during the flow of a match). A coach does not have to be a black belt (parents are permitted to coach with a coaches pass. Coaches are only allowed on the competition floor when the specific division is being staged or in progress. No coaches on the floor for forms divisions.

1-Point Kumite SPARRING

All rules of normal point sparring apply with the exception of the winner is determined by the first person to score. All “3” of the judges must be “unanimous” on the score.

TAG TEAM SPARRING

Normal point sparring rules apply. Create your own team, or partner up with a friend(s) from another school. Minimum of 2 players to make a team, maximum of 3 players. 2-minute matches/Total Points. Each time a player scores, the scoring player must tag in a new teammate. If a player is scored on 3 consecutive times, and automatic tag is made. The “switch” or tag only takes place on the call/break by the center judge. 1-time out permitted per team. The team that calls timeout, may make a switch if they choose to.

WKC Divisions have alternative rules. Please see center judge for any questions.