I'd like to hear peoples opinions on the value of kata competition and it's effects, values/lack of values etc. Sorry if this subject's been done, but it'll be interesting to hear everyone's view. I personally see it as a waste of time, but maybe someone can change my mind - I'm open to thoughts on the matter.

I think it is probably as valuable as any other form of competition. Spelling Bees produce very good spellers and recognise andreward the most proficient. I have never spelled well but it hasn't kept me from being a productive member of society.

I will do it if im asked by Sensei, but i draw the line at trying to win, specific competition training.

kata is about function before form for me.

I suppose a competition could let you know how pretty your kata is compared to others. I'm not sure how judging goes if more than one style is competing, it seems that is must be pretty subjective. If the judges like you, or practice the same style you do, you'd do better I'd guess.
A classmate of mine won a forms competition once. It was sponsored by the karate-kenpo chain that's all over the place in this city, and all styles were invited. They had these little boxes on mats on the floor, in which the kata was supposed to be performed. He was performing a northern style praying mantis form, so he asked the judges if he could have three of the mats to perform on. He was a great performer, and the form has lots of jumping double smash kicks and really fast hand techniques, as well as a drop kick and a backwards roll/throw. Besides that it was three times as long and took up three times as much space as any other kata would. How could any traditional karate or kenpo kata compare to that? It's like if everyone was performing pinan kata, and then one guy does kusanku really well.

Competing in tournaments isn't bad as a way to compare styles, compare knowledge, and just meet other martial artists. But it should never be focused on as a goal of one's paractice.

What's next......the heavy bag competition?

Kata competition is one of the most valuable training tools you can use to help your development.

First you have to understand all judges are idiots, and taking first place awarded by idiots, what does that make you in turn?

It's not about winning, fairness or the American Way of Life (joke). It's about the competition.

Absolutely nothing pushes you as hard as standing in front of hundreds or thousands of spectators and pushing your kata out before them.

You burn energy at the highest level you can do, outside of actual combat, and you have a chance to focus in ways no other form of training can offer. And only for a few bucks, relatively speaking.

You don't do it for applause, other's good feelings or the judges scores.

The reason is you want to push yourself to the maximum performance you can offer.

And there are layers offered to you. If just the competition isn't enough, go up to the judges and hand them a card with a list of kata, and request them to pick one for you on the spot, and then have to deliver it 100%.

The only lack of use of competition is the lack of foresight how valuable it can be.

It's not mandatory for training, but it can be a personal tool of the highest magnitude.

Or perhaps you just don't have what it takes to go before thousands and show what you can actually do?

Personally I think Kata Competition is harder then sparring. If you train daily, have good basic techniques and athletic you can spar. But in front of a crowd of 100-1k of people. In front of informative non bias jugdes, its very difficult to perform Kata well. This sort of pressure transfers well in giving book reports in front of class, business presentation, sells, managing/selling you self or acting on stage. In this way Karate can mimick life pressure.

Kata is about Self Discipline and Mental sharpness, you only have 1 chance to sink it and almost every detail must be as sharp as possible. In sparring if u miss or made an error U can cover it with another counter or techinque, R U can improvise. In Trad Kata you can't we'll you can but its noticed and you have to keep going. When I'm judging Kata if a teacher/contestant doesn't specified modified I count changes in the form as errors. Long Kung-fu forms done without proper basic, stance and flow counts against him, done propely it scores high. Low rank doing higher ranked forms poorly really count against you, done well and I question him/her being at that low rank, but scores well.

Kata Competition prepares and gives you the mental toughness of a car, vaccuum saleman, a mid manager giving a presentation, it cures shyiness, lifts low self esteem, raise technical concisousness and shows school pride. Not everybodys suited to be a tag/tourney fighter, some people are good at showing techniques. In this way MA has something for everybody. I've alway took pride in doing both. But In saying that being honest I'd usually fight rather then do kata unless I really trained hard, I seem to always take the easy way out.

Guys, I was going to post my opinion on Competition Kata (and it wasn't going to be pretty!)...but I read Victors post and decided to hold off and ponder for a bit. I'd glad to say that I've got a new found respect for competition kata.....cheers!

I still think musical Kata is dancing though!!!! Changing my mind on that is a going to be one hell of a challange!

http://www.fightingarts.com/ubbthreads/s...ue#Post15758622

Have fun.