
WKO Forms &
Kata Rules
📊 SCORING – BASICS 🏆
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Scores typically range 8.0 – 9.9
Judges score based on: -
Technique
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Power & speed
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Balance & control
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Presentation
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Difficulty (higher divisions)
⚖️ MAXIMUM DEVIATION (3 JUDGES ONLY)
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The middle score is the reference.
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Other scores must be within ±0.02 of it.
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If not, they are adjusted.
⏱️ TIME RULES
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Max 3 minutes (unless stated otherwise)
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Time starts when you begin movement
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Go over time = ❌ Disqualified
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“15 seconds” warning near the end
⏳ DELAY PENALTIES
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Not ready = -0.01 per minute (per judge)
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After 3 minutes = ❌ Disqualified
🧠 STARTING AGAIN
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Allowed once if you mess up:
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Score penalty: -0.05
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No penalty if restart isn’t your fault.
🥊 ORDER OF COMPETITION
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Competitors run first, then judges score (fair system)
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Judges rank competitors against each
🥋 WEAPON RULES
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Drop weapon in eliminations = ❌ Disqualified
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In finals:
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Small mistake = deduction
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Drop twice or dangerous = ❌ Disqualified
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Hit someone or go out of bounds = ❌ Disqualified
⚠️ BOUNDARY RULE
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Stay inside the ring (including weapon).
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Safety first:
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Minor issue = -0.05
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Hit someone = ❌ Disqualified
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🎯 TIES
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Broken by:
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Majority of judges
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Total score
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Judges decide
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Re-run if still tied
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📊 RELATIVE RANKING (IMPORTANT)
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Judges rank competitors against each other first, then score.
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Prevents early competitors being disadvantaged.
🧾 KEY PENALTIES SUMMARY
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Late start → -0.01 per minute
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Restart → -0.05 or -0.5
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Out of bounds → deduction or DQ
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Weapon drop → DQ (elims)
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Over time → DQ
⚖️ WHAT JUDGES LOOK FOR
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Clean technique
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Strong stances
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Control & balance
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Power & speed
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Confidence & performance
✅ EXTRA NOTES (IMPORTANT)
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Correct uniform required (gi/dobok etc.)
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Introduction doesn’t affect score
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Dropping weapon or falling may result in very low/default score
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Safety always comes first
DIVISIONS EXPLAINED
🥋 TRADITIONAL
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Classic martial arts techniques only.
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❌ No flips, tricks, or extreme moves.
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Focus: stance, power, technique.
🥋 FREESTYLE/CREATIVE
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Traditional base + modern moves.
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✅ Spins, jump kicks, weapon tricks allowed.
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❌ No flips or extreme acrobatics.
🥋EXTREME
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Anything goes (with rules):
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Must include martial arts
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Must include flips or >360 spins
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Focus: difficulty + showmanship.
🎵 MUSICAL
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Same as above divisions + choreographed to music.
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Movements must match the music.