Isn't it so true, reality is more complex than we think it is.
check this out - Jeff Liotta VS. Mike Palitti - Sakugawa No Kon Bo Kata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFuzCF5btHY&feature=relatedSo Jeff Liotta doees juke and jive bo kata and traditional bo kata. Apparently he chooses which is appropriate for the competition venue.
The juke and jive pencil bo version is most definately going for speed, jump and pose then some quick passes, etc. with the addition of baton twirling (spins, rolling the bo around the neck and one handed movements, all more akin to baton exercises.
If you look at the following you'll see some of his one handed bo work 2005 World Baton Twirling Championships Promo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtlzxEYpK_o&feature=related Look except for a small handfull of weapons (say stick and kinfe) most of the kobudo kata are nothing but historical docuemnts, all of which underwent changes as time moves.
The Taira/Akamine stylist would decry Isshinryu's version of some of their kata as being far removed from their 'pure' source. Doesn't mean those versions can't work. Heck I can use two kleenex tissues as a weapon, so pencil thin bo's aren't impossible, just unlikely from my point of view.
If I'm judging a division where everyone is baton twirling then I use twirling standards (do they look pretty). If I'm judging a division where traditional kobudo kata are included my standard is simple. They can do whatever they want but if their spin (or whatever) would hit a heavy bag full speed and they can't hang on to it, their score is a zero, for the absence of martial intent implies death, and I don't give scores to the dead (leaving that to Luicifer).
How you judge defines who you are.
What you're willing to stand in public and do, defines what you are.
IMO the range of traditional weapons is so vast, there is little reaon to dream up competition versions.
But remember the Chinese pointed the way to pencil thin bo's. They took their wushu arts, and turned to weightless weapons to go for the speed and form, and today's bo specialists are just imitating china...