Sports Karate Competition

Many Traditional styles like Wado Ryu, Shotokan, Shokukai and Goju Ryu have sporting sides and some clubs can specialise in sports karate because they enjoy competition karate. Karateka can have a choice of categories depending on their preference. If you are are a traditionalist you will prefer Kumite and Kata. If you like the freestyle then the choice is even greater you can compete in semi contact, light continuous and various forms categories that suit your style and system. Each section sparring section has the following divisions and categories.  Kumite sections compete in a more upright and traditional clean scoring where the Semi-Contact tend to fight lower and use bobbing and weaving to slip techniques. Both Semi and Kumite are tip tap and stop the bout to award points. Light Continuous division is tip tap but the bouts are not stopped and is similar to boxing. Many Sports Karate Clubs and Freestyle Karate Clubs find the Semi and Light Continuous sections and exciting challenge too.

CATEGORIES	1st & 2nd Place Medals for the age groups below:
Boys by Age	6 to 8 yr	9 to 11 yr	12 to 14 yr	15 to 17 yr
Girls by Age	6 to 8 yr	9 to 11 yr	12 to 14 yr	15 to 17 yr
Men	Under 5ft 8 inches		Over 5ft 8 inches
Men's Veterans	Under 5ft 8 inches		Over 5ft 8 inches
Women	Under 5ft 8 inches		Over 5ft 8 inches
Wmn's Veterans	Under 5ft 8 inches		Over 5ft 8 inches
	Photo Left: Sports Karate The total of 96 MALYMPEX medals can be won for Kumite, Semi Contact and Light Continuous Sections. Each gold medal represents a championship title. The silver medal is for 2nd place. Gold Medallist's in the main event are world champions. Silver Medallists are ranked No 2 in the world ratings.